The Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) has intensified its efforts to address the growing challenges of indiscriminate parking in the metropolis by embarking on a sensitisation drive targeted at Community Development Associations (CDAs) across various local government areas. The initiative aims to deepen public understanding of proper parking behaviour, improve traffic flow, and promote orderliness within neighbourhoods.
Speaking during one of the interactive sessions held in Surulere, LASPA’s General Manager, Mrs. Adebisi Adelabu, emphasised the critical role that grassroots stakeholders play in ensuring a well-regulated urban environment. She noted that many residential areas in Lagos continue to face congestion, blocked access roads, and heightened road safety risks due to poor parking habits, often resulting from ignorance or lack of proper guidance.
Mrs. Adelabu explained that the agency’s engagement with CDAs is part of its broader public education campaign to instil a culture of compliance and responsibility among residents. She stressed that LASPA is not out to penalise residents unnecessarily, but rather to work hand-in-hand with communities in creating sustainable solutions to parking-related challenges.
The sensitisation programme covered key topics such as the dangers of illegal roadside parking, the importance of designated parking spaces, and the benefits of adhering to state parking regulations. Participants were also informed about available support from LASPA in assisting communities with the planning and establishment of orderly parking systems, especially in high-density areas.
In their responses, community leaders expressed appreciation for the agency’s proactive approach and pledged their support for initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions within their neighbourhoods. Several CDA representatives also raised concerns about limited space for parking in older residential layouts and appealed to the state government for infrastructural upgrades that could complement enforcement efforts.
According to LASPA, similar sensitisation forums will be extended to other parts of Lagos, with the goal of ensuring that all residents, regardless of socio-economic status, are well-informed about their roles and responsibilities in maintaining a clean, accessible, and organised environment.
The campaign aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s THEMES+ agenda, which prioritises transportation and traffic management as a key pillar for achieving a smarter, more livable Lagos. By taking the message directly to the grassroots, LASPA hopes to foster greater ownership of public spaces, reduce conflicts between road users, and promote a culture of orderliness that reflects the aspirations of a modern mega city.
With Lagos being one of Africa’s fastest-growing urban centres, the need for coordinated parking policies has become more urgent than ever, and LASPA’s community-focused approach is seen as a strategic step towards long-term behavioural change across the state.
