Dare Babalola
The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Olalekan Bakare-Oki, has issued a stern warning to the public, particularly motorists, against indiscriminate parking and unlawful obstruction of access routes around places of worship, markets, event centres, and other major social gathering points, as Lagos prepares for the cross-over night celebrations.
In a statement signed by the agency’s publicist, Adebayo Taofiq, on Sunday, the General Manager said the festivities are expected to attract a significant increase in vehicular and pedestrian traffic, compounded by social activities like carnivals and street celebrations.
LASTMA acknowledged the cultural significance of these events but condemned the practice of converting roads into parking spaces or event venues, citing serious implications for public safety, emergency response, and urban mobility.
The agency viewed such actions as severe violations of traffic regulations.
Bakare-Oki therefore admonished motorists to refrain from abandoning vehicles on carriageways, road shoulders, medians, pedestrian walkways and critical access corridors leading to worship centres and social hubs.
He equally cautioned organisers and participants of carnivals, street parties and other festive activities against blocking highways, inner roads or access routes without lawful authorisation and prior coordination with relevant government authorities.
Addressing the anticipated traffic challenges, the General Manager disclosed that LASTMA has activated a reinforced traffic management, monitoring and enforcement framework for cross-over night.
He stated that trained officers, supported by rapid response units and surveillance teams under the ‘LASTMA 24-Hour Night Gangs’ initiative, will be deployed to key areas to maintain traffic flow, enforce parking rules, and address obstructions. The General Manager emphasised that offenders will face sanctions in line with existing traffic laws, with no exceptions.
Bakare-Oki further appealed to religious institutions, market leaderships, club operators and event organisers to exhibit heightened civic consciousness by making adequate parking provisions, deploying internal traffic control mechanisms and engaging proactively with traffic authorities to prevent congestion spillover onto public roads.
The Agency also urged residents and visitors alike to cooperate fully with traffic officials, comply with all traffic directives and exercise patience, restraint and responsibility as Lagos ushers in the new year.
In his words, “Collective compliance remains indispensable to the realisation of a peaceful, orderly and seamlessly managed cross-over night across Lagos State.”
LASTMA reiterated its unwavering commitment to its statutory mandate of safeguarding lives, maintaining public order on the roads and ensuring efficient traffic movement across the metropolis.
“In the event of any traffic-related incidents or emergencies, members of the public are advised to contact LASTMA toll-free hotline on 0800 005 27862 for immediate and real-time intervention,” the statement added.
