By DAYO ADESULU
LAGOS: In a robust enforcement initiative over the weekend, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) successfully dislodged ten illegally parked tankers surrounding the Dangote Refinery and cleared an additional 120 vehicles improperly stationed along the Ebute-Ero bridges. This decisive action comes as part of the Lagos State Government’s commitment to maintaining order and ensuring smooth traffic flow in the region.
The operation, led by Hon. Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, was a response to persistent violations despite multiple warnings from the government. It aims to prevent significant disruptions to vehicular movement caused by illegal parking, ensuring unimpeded access for trucks at the Dangote Refinery and along the Lekki-Ajah corridor.
Hon. Giwa emphasized the government’s determination to uphold a traffic-free Lagos and reiterated that indiscriminate parking, particularly around strategic areas like the Dangote Refinery and the Lekki-Epe Free Trade Zone, will no longer be tolerated.
In addition to the actions taken near the refinery and free trade zone, LASTMA removed 120 vehicles, including private cars and commercial buses, from unauthorized parking spots on bridges from Ebute-Ero to Ejalonibu on Lagos Island. The ongoing disregard for traffic regulations has been met with disappointment, as many vehicles continue to occupy bridges as makeshift garages.
To fortify these efforts, the government is enhancing surveillance through the newly introduced ‘Eto’ system, which regulates truck entry and exit at the Dangote Refinery. LASTMA has also established a dedicated Traffic Monitoring Zone (TMZ) in the Lekki area to oversee vehicular activities and prevent future disruptions.
“All vehicles, including tankers, private cars, and commercial buses impounded during this enforcement exercise, will be swiftly brought before the Lagos State Mobile Courts,” stated Hon. Giwa. “This initiative serves as both a punitive measure and a warning to those engaged in similar illegal activities.”
The Lagos State Government, through LASTMA, urges all motorists to comply with traffic regulations to ensure seamless movement and promote orderliness throughout the state.
**Signed:**
Adebayo Taofiq
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department
Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA)
