- Lagos State Government has announced that it will commence an on-street parking scheme in October
- Lagos State Parking Authority notified the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria of the new development
- They clarified that the new scheme is applicable to everyone and not just churches
In a bid to curb traffic issues caused by roadside parking in Lagos State, the state government has announced that it will launch its on-street parking scheme in October 2024.
This means cars parked on designated streets will be charged per hour. The Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) notified the Lagos branch of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in a letter dated July 19 and signed by Head of Operations Ayokunle Akinrimisi, stating that the agency would be starting its on-street parking scheme at designated streets in Lagos State.
The letter reads in part: “I am directed to inform your revered organisation that Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) will be commencing its on-street parking scheme at designated streets within the Lagos state metropolis.
“In view of this, I am using this medium to inform your eminence, that 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 with as a law abiding organization.”
While many feared that the government was targeting churches, LASPA’s manager, Adebisi Adelabu, clarified in a release on Saturday that the scheme was approved by the government to “mitigate parking-induced traffic congestion” in the state and that the development is not exclusive to churches.
The release stated: “Like many other major cities worldwide facing similar challenges, Lagos is experiencing a high demand for parking spaces that exceeds available supply. Therefore, we are adopting a regulated on-street parking model to better manage parking resources efficiently.
“Earlier in this year, the Governor approved the introduction of regulated on-street parking, which was announced during a stakeholder’s forum held on February 14, 2024, at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.
“As part of our efforts to inform stakeholders, including religious organizations who were adequately represented at the forum, about the upcoming implementation in October, LASPA communicated with umbrella bodies representing these groups. One of such correspondences was referenced in a news release making the rounds.
“It is important to clarify that no specific religious group is being singled out by this policy. Our aim is to ensure all stakeholders are informed and prepared for the implementation of the regulated on-street parking scheme.”
“Additionally, Lagos State Government has designated and lane-marked suitable roads for on-street parking across major zones such as Ikeja, Surulere, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki, creating approximately 1,800 additional parking slots.
“The communication sent to religious institutions serves to notify them of their respective roles and the financial aspects of utilizing these designated parking lots. The management of these facilities will be overseen by concessionaires under the regulation of the Lagos State Parking Authority.”
As of the time of filing this report, the fee to be charged had not been disclosed.
Netizens react to Lagos’ on-street parking scheme
Some netizens welcomed the idea and others are of the opinion that this is just another way for the government to impose taxes and bills on innocent Nigerians.
Here are some comments that followed the news.
@gentle_dan11 posted: “When Dem call person name sanwo olu
U think say una no go pay?”
@solaadio posted: “Hope mosques who block the road every Friday will also be charged. Or is this a war targeted against Christianity and churches by the Lagos state government?”
@AjeboDanny posted: “Can’t believe i’ll ever be on Sanwo olu’s side… The bigger cars parked in front of the church should be charged double my governor.”
@cyrilemeka posted: “There are churches in this Lagos where once they're in service like this, the traffic is always chaotic, especially around Surulere where their roads are narrow. Driving in and out of those streets are always problematic. Supported!!!!!”
@eddy_mmbm posted: “Maybe with this, people will reduce going to church and do their worship at home.”
@nzeribeikenna posted: “What took them so long? That's how we do it in u-rope. Forget that they have a constant power supply. We'll catch up on that later. Shey, you grab?”
@BrownshugaLP posted: “You people will collect money for long life and prosperity soon.”
Lagos State Government bans danfo, korope starting October 1, announces reforms
Meanwhile, TheRadar reported that Lagos State announced the Bus Reform Initiative, which will commence on October 1.
The Lagos State Government recently announced a significant transportation reform with the upcoming ban on danfo and korope buses along the Lekki-Epe corridor, effective on October 1, 2024.
This move, according to Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser on Transportation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is part of the state's Bus Reform Initiative, which aims to restructure the often chaotic transport operations in the state.