Sanwo-Olu appoints Bamgbose-Martins as planning commissioner

LASPA warns councils against demanding, issuing parking permits

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the appointment of Omotayo Bamgbose-Martins as Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, who disclosed this at a press briefing yesterday, said that Bamgbose-Martins replaced Idris Salako who resigned on Tuesday.

Bamgbose-Martins was Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations before his new appointment.

MEANWHILE, Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) has said that it is not local councils that have the right to issue parking permits in the state.

General Manager of the agency, Adebisi Adelabu, who stated this yesterday, at a press briefing on the controversy surrounding the issuing of parking permits in Lagos, said to prevent double payment and harassment of residents and businesses, the agency had warned council officials against demanding or issuing parking permits to businesses and individuals.

Commissioner for Transportation, Frederic Oladeinde, who spoke earlier, said LASPA was an agency set up to solve a peculiar problem, which has to do with parking and impediments that normally lead to congestion on the roads.

Oladeinde said the structure was put in place to regulate the activities of private parking lots, improve and enhance the parking culture, adding that it is not a revenue generation agency.

He implored members of the public to visit the agency’s office for necessary information, while urging Lagosians to support the government to stop indiscriminate parking .

Omotoso said the briefing was to clear the air on issues and educate the public on the mandate and functions of the agency.
Adelabu urged individuals running private parking lots to get their permits as the objective of the agency was to create employment and ensure vehicles park on the roads and setbacks were identifiable.