The Lagos State government has announced that vehicle owners will soon be charged for parking on designated streets within the state. The on-street parking regulation, set to commence in October, will initially target areas such as Lekki and Surulere, according to a report by Sunday PUNCH.
The government has been notifying religious bodies, organizations, and event centers, including churches and mosques, about the upcoming charges. In a letter addressed to the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria’s Lagos State branch, the government outlined that vehicles parked on designated streets by church members will incur hourly charges, while indiscriminately parked vehicles will face enforcement actions.
The letter, dated July 19 and signed by Ayokunle Akinrinmisi, Head of Operations of the Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA), states, “I am directed to inform your revered organisation that LASPA will be commencing its on-street parking scheme at designated streets within the Lagos State metropolis. Vehicles parked on designated streets by the church and its members will be charged hourly, and indiscriminately parked vehicles will be enforced upon accordingly. Consequently, we advise that this piece of information be adhered to as a law-abiding organisation.”
Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, Adebisi Adelabu, General Manager of LASPA, confirmed the pilot program’s launch in October. She explained that meetings were held in 2022 with various groups, including Christian and Muslim associations, nightclubs, and event centers, to inform them about the phased implementation of the parking scheme.
“Lagos is a city of over 25 million people and we have over three million vehicles. We must have proper parking management, so they have been sensitized,” Adelabu stated.
This move is part of the state government’s efforts to manage parking more effectively and reduce traffic congestion.
