LASTMA impounds 20 commercial vehicles at illegal parks, garages

To ensure free flow of traffic, the enforcement unit of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has impounded 20 (painted/unpainted) commercial vehicles at Apongbon Bridge and Ikorodu roundabout in line with its total clampdown on commercial buses, illegal garages/parks on bridges and roundabouts across the state.

Speaking on the exercise, the general Manager of the Authority, Bolaji Oreagba, said illegal activities of owners of the commercial buses/cars on bridges and roundabouts across the state contravene the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.

He stated that it was nauseating seeing these commercial bus drivers constituting public nuisance by operating illegally on bridges and roundabouts, thereby causing avoidable traffic gridlock and inconveniencing other motorists and road users.

Oreagba revealed that the enforcement unit embarked on the exercise at Apongbon Bridge and Ikorodu roundabout after recalcitrant drivers, who do not want to operate within government-designated garages and parks across the state failed to comply with several warnings issued to them.

He said LASTMA would not rest on its oars in curbing illegal activities of unruly commercial buses/cars operators, stressing that government is expending huge resources in constructing standard bus terminals in every part of the state.

“We would continue to ensure free flow of traffic movement around bridges and roundabouts across the state by up-scaling our enforcement and clampdown operations on these stubborn commercial buses operating illegal parks, garages and car mart in the state,” Oreagba added.

Also, head of the Enforcement Unit, Odunuga Olukayode, said the agency is committed to clamping down on nefarious activities of disobedient commercial vehicles operators, until zero tolerance on illegal garages and parks is achieved across the state.

Odunuga said the arrested drivers of the 20 impounded commercial buses have been fined N100, 000 each, after they pleaded guilty to the charges when they were arraigned before a mobile court.