Bakare-Oki Declares Zero Tolerance for Illegal Parking, Road Obstruction During Crossover Night in Lagos
As Lagos State gears up for the annual crossover night celebrations, the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, has issued a stern warning against unlawful parking and the obstruction of critical access routes across the state.
Bakare-Oki cautioned motorists, event organisers and celebrants to desist from indiscriminate parking and unauthorised blockage of roads, particularly around places of worship, markets, nightclubs, event centres and other major social convergence points.
He noted that crossover night is typically characterised by a sharp increase in vehicular and pedestrian movement, often compounded by loosely coordinated activities such as carnivals, street jams and roadside festivities. While acknowledging the cultural and religious significance of such celebrations, the LASTMA boss condemned the misuse of public roads as makeshift parking spaces or informal event venues, describing the practice as a serious violation of traffic regulations with grave implications for public safety, emergency response and urban mobility.
Bakare-Oki specifically warned motorists against abandoning vehicles on carriageways, road shoulders, medians, pedestrian walkways and key access corridors leading to worship centres and social hubs. He also cautioned organisers of carnivals, street parties and other festivities against blocking highways and inner roads without proper authorisation and prior coordination with relevant government agencies.
To address anticipated traffic challenges, he disclosed that LASTMA has activated a reinforced traffic management, monitoring and enforcement framework for the crossover night. According to him, trained officers, supported by rapid response units and advance surveillance teams operating under the recently inaugurated “LASTMA 24-Hour Night Gangs,” will be strategically deployed to identified flashpoints across the state.
He stressed that the officers will ensure smooth vehicular movement, enforce parking regulations and promptly remove any unlawful obstructions to traffic flow, warning that violators will be sanctioned strictly in accordance with existing traffic laws, without exception.
The LASTMA General Manager also appealed to religious institutions, market leaders, club operators and event organisers to demonstrate civic responsibility by providing adequate parking spaces, deploying internal traffic control measures and engaging proactively with traffic authorities to prevent congestion from spilling onto public roads.
Residents and visitors were urged to cooperate with traffic officials, obey traffic directives and exercise patience and restraint as the state ushers in the new year.
“Collective compliance remains indispensable to the realisation of a peaceful, orderly and seamlessly managed crossover night across Lagos State,” Bakare-Oki said.
LASTMA reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives, maintaining public order on the roads and ensuring efficient traffic movement across the metropolis. Members of the public were advised to report traffic-related incidents or emergencies via the agency’s toll-free hotline: 0800 005 27862, for prompt intervention.
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