LASTMA impounds 173 vehicles for illegal parking, road obstruction

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has apprehended 125 commercial buses and 48 privately owned vehicles for flagrant violations, including unauthorised parking and severe road obstructions.
According to a statement posted on its X handle on Thursday, spearheading the operation was the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, acting under the directive of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa.
Bakare-Oki said the enforcement was executed across notorious gridlock-prone corridors such as Idumota, Ijaye Street, Martins, Ereko, Nnamdi Azikiwe by Tom Jones, Ebute-Ero, Oyingbo, Ijora, Adeniji Adele, and Iddo.
He added that notorious congestion hotspots such as Iddo to Idumota, Oyingbo, Ebute-Ero, and the Adeniji Adele roundabout have been perpetually plagued by illegal parking and the proliferation of makeshift garages, saying that it is an issue that must be decisively addressed.
“This rigorous enforcement underscores LASTMA’s unwavering commitment to eradicating chronic traffic congestion and mitigating reckless road practices, particularly among commercial transport operators and private motorists who flout established regulations.
“A significant number of the offenders were caught engaging in perilous maneuvers, such as driving against traffic (one-way) and executing hazardous reversals from Iddo to Idumota to pick up passengers—reckless actions that have precipitated multiple road accidents and senseless loss of lives,” he said.
According to the LASTMA boss, the initiative specifically targeted unauthorised garages that have long served as catalysts for intractable gridlocks, inflicting undue hardship on commuters and residents alike, reaffirming that the crackdown represents an ongoing and sustained effort in alignment with the overarching vision of the Lagos state government to optimise the efficiency of the metropolis’ transportation infrastructure.
“The state government remains resolute in its enforcement of traffic regulations and the restoration of order on our roads.
“The proliferation of illegal garages and indiscriminate obstructions by both commercial and private vehicles continues to be a formidable impediment to our goal of achieving seamless mobility within Lagos,” he asserted.
“These stringent enforcement measures serve as an unequivocal warning to all road users that flagrant disregard for traffic laws will no longer be tolerated.

“Our ultimate objective is to cultivate a transportation ecosystem that is safe, orderly, and highly efficient for all road users. This enforcement drive represents a pivotal step toward actualising that vision,” Bakare-Oki reiterated.
In the same vein, he added that the indiscriminate operations of commercial bus drivers not only obstruct vehicular movement but also constitute a grave hazard to pedestrian safety.
“LASTMA’s intervention is imperative to dismantle these bottlenecks and facilitate seamless traffic circulation in these critical locations,” he noted.
In response to the initiative, he said residents and business owners have expressed strong approval, acknowledging its profound impact on easing daily commutes and revitalising commercial activities.
LASTMA also assured the public that this operation would be systematically extended to other areas afflicted by unauthorised parking and related infractions.
The general manager urged all motorists to adhere strictly to traffic regulations and cooperate with authorities to avoid punitive measures.