The newly created Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) has rolled out plans to tackle indiscriminate parking by vehicle owners on the streets of Lagos in order to improve the driving experience of the motoring public.
Speaking with journalists, the general manager of the agency, Adebisi Adelabu, noted that parking problems have been one of the major issues contributing to traffic gridlock.
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She said the development is also affecting the economy and the environment, adding that the state government can no longer fold its hands, hence the need for a holistic approach towards regulating the cause effects.
She said to tackle the issue, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu established LASPA in 2021 with the mandate of promoting the Lagos State parking policies in line with national transport policies by advancing knowledge, raising standards and assessment of related fees.
According to her, LASPA will provide an enabling environment for vehicle owners in a secured functional, orderly and sustainable parking system management scheme.
The GM stated that the agency is optimising the on and off-street parking supplies, setbacks options, and registration of existing private parks operators to maximise urban public spaces in finding lasting solutions to parking-induced traffic.
She listed various parking offences in the state to include: parking of commercial vehicles on streets, blocking an entrance or exit and walkway, parking on slots marked for public transport, fire service, ambulance, taxis and people with special needs.
She explained that parking of vehicles on sidewalks, road median, whether paved or not and parking of vehicles within three meters of a fire hydrant as well as parking of vehicles against the directional flow of traffic are all now prohibited in the state.
Adelabu called on park operators (commercial and non-commercial) to register with the agency for an operating permit from March 1, 2022.
The Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, explained that the creation of LASPA was a right step in the right direction to stop motorists who parked indiscriminately on the roads and at undesignated bus stops.
He stated that in line with the policy thrust of the government, traffic management and transportation is key.
“Therefore, parking space issues needed to be addressed to reduce travel time impeded upon by traffic and make the state a 21st century running economy for its residents in the short and long term.
According to him, the new Lagos State parking policy was designed to decongest traffic, address climate change challenges, create job opportunities and also generate revenue for the state through the issuance of parking tickets to defaulters.
