Lagos State Govt Warns Motorists against Making Payments to Touts for ‘Illegal Parking’ In Public Places

The Lagos State government has warned motorists in the state to desist from making payments to touts for “illegal parking” on bridges and other open spaces across the state.

Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, issued the warning in a statement made available to journalists in the state on Monday by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq.

According to Taofiq, the directive was in response to reports indicating that private vehicle owners have been engaging in transactions with street urchins for unauthorized parking privileges at various locations within the metropolis.

He said, “Giwa under- scored the imperative of strict adherence to government-installed road signage and urban furniture, which explicitly delineate designated “No Parking” zones.

“He emphasized that noncompliance contributes significantly to congestion and impedes the seamless flow of traffic.”

The statement added that while highlighting notorious areas plagued by illegal parking, Giwa referenced locations such as Ebute-Ero, Ejalonibu, Adeniji-Adele, Oyingbo, Oworonshoki, Iyana-Ipaja and Medical Road near Computer Village, among others, where vehicles are indiscriminately stationed on bridges and other restricted spaces, thereby exacerbating vehicular gridlock.

Reaffirming the government’s stance on maintaining order on Lagos roads, Giwa stressed that Sanwo-Olu’s ad- ministration would not remain passive while such unlawful practices persist.

He also cautioned that motorists attempting to validate their infractions by citing payments to touts would face stringent enforcement measures.

“The Lagos State government, therefore, urges all motorists to comply with established traffic regulations and refrain from patronising unscrupulous elements who exploit public spaces for personal gain,” the statement added.