A traffic expert and lead partner at Traffic Beyond Border in Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Adelusi has called on the Lagos State government to concentrate much of its effort on how to manage the hectic traffic gridlock in the state rather than carving out some portions of the roads as parking lane.
Adelusi made the call in reaction to the state government’s commencement of marking parking lanes in selected areas in the state. The traffic expert said the roads in the state are not sufficient and there is serious problem of traffic, yet the state government still want to reduce the size of the road for parking.
The Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) had revealed on November 25, its plans to create additional Vehicle Parking Lane Markings in selected locations across the State
According to the agency, all efforts are geared towards improving the parking system of the State. While speaking on the planned initiative in Ikeja, the General Manager of LASPA, Mrs. Adebisi Adelabu stated that the vehicle parking lane mark exercise (will) commence on Monday, 28th November, 2022,
She added that designated streets within Surulere, Ikoyi, Lekki, Obalende, Ikeja and Victoria Island axis of the State will experience this development as the Authority is set to improve street parking from 2023.
Adelabu noted that the Parking Lane Markings will further guide motorists and pedestrians on appropriate parking regulations and spaces, minimise indiscriminate parking, confusion and uncertainty while conveying a range of information to residents on parking procedures within each specified environment.
According to her, the lane markings will also include special consideration for people living with disabilities and signposts for parking directives, among other features.
The General Manager, however, solicited the understanding of residents within the locations who might be affected by any inconvenience the process might cause, assuring that the government is working rigorously in regulating and improving the parking culture as part of its Traffic Management and Transportation Agenda to ensure parking is convenient, safe and secure across the state.
Recall the Authority had recently unveiled plans to begin full implementation of parking policy in the second quarter of Y2023 and has continued to sensitise the public on the need to embrace the parking culture as the Authority is instituting an ideal parking system for all residents.
Reacting to the development during a chat with Transportation Plus, Adelusi pointed out that carving out parking lanes from the traffic stricken insufficient roads will compound road users’ plight.
He said “the roads are insufficient for the motoring public, yet they are caving out from it for parking. While parking is important, the priority should be how to manage the traffic that is as old as Lagos. The travel time from all parts of Lagos is tormenting and wasteful. They mouth Transportation agenda with empty content. People leave Epe 3:00-4:00am daily in a bid to avoid congestion; Ajah to Lagos Island is minimum of 3 hours, a distance of about 30km.
“The motoring public groan daily; the travel time from Ikorodu to Lagos Island is not any better than Ajah to Lagos Island; Agege to Lagos Island is the same. The grossly insufficient road is where the said parking is coming from, is that not worrisome? Adelusi said.
Adelusi said it not a good move to compound road users’ plight all in the name of revenue generation. He said “for over 40 years, there is only one entry and exit on the Lekki corridor, extracting a portion from any road as parking, is that their priority? The road user attitude is woeful and unacceptable, the government has done nothing about it for years.
“It’s agonising driving on our roads, must the torture of the motoring public experience daily be compounded with revenue generation through parking?. The government has lost it”.
He expressed fears that touts may take advantage of the new move to harass and also extort vehicle owners. “The other side of this move is that, in the inner streets, touts will take over the roads for parking. Mark my words, there’ll be fight and vehicles will be damaged by the touts. Most of the roads don’t have signs and are not marked, which results into multiple lanes, it’s a complete chaos everywhere. What a year end gift the government have for the residents”.
