Crossover Night: LASTMA Warns Against Indiscriminate Parking Around Worship Places

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has issued a stern warning to motorists and event organisers against indiscriminate parking and the unlawful obstruction of access routes around places of worship and other social centres during cross-over night celebrations across the state.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, gave the warning in a statement on Sunday as Lagos prepares for heightened religious, social and recreational activities traditionally associated with cross-over night.

Bakare-Oki noted that the period is usually marked by a sharp increase in vehicular and pedestrian movements, compounded by loosely coordinated activities such as carnivals, street jams, roadside festivities and spontaneous celebrations.

While acknowledging the religious and cultural significance of cross-over night, he condemned the abuse of public road infrastructure, particularly the conversion of roads into makeshift parking spaces and informal event venues, describing such acts as serious violations of traffic regulations with far-reaching implications for public safety, emergency response and traffic flow.

He cautioned motorists against abandoning vehicles on carriageways, road shoulders, medians, pedestrian walkways and critical access routes leading to worship centres, markets, nightclubs and event centres.

The LASTMA boss also warned organisers and participants of carnivals, street parties and other festive activities against blocking highways, inner roads or access corridors without lawful authorisation and prior coordination with relevant government authorities.

To address anticipated traffic challenges, Bakare-Oki disclosed that the agency has activated a reinforced traffic management, monitoring and enforcement framework for the cross-over night.

According to him, trained officers, rapid response units and advance surveillance teams operating under the ‘LASTMA 24-Hour Night Gangs’ initiative have been strategically deployed to identified flashpoints across the state to ensure smooth vehicular movement and strict enforcement of parking regulations.

He stressed that traffic offenders would be sanctioned in strict compliance with existing laws, without exception.

Bakare-Oki further appealed to religious institutions, market leaders, club operators and event organisers to demonstrate civic responsibility by making adequate parking arrangements, deploying internal traffic control measures and engaging proactively with traffic authorities to prevent congestion from spilling onto public roads.

He urged residents and visitors to cooperate with traffic officials, obey traffic directives and exercise patience and restraint as Lagos ushers in the new year.

“Collective compliance remains indispensable to the realisation of a peaceful, orderly and seamlessly managed cross-over night across Lagos State,” the statement by signed by LASTMA’s spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, quoted Bakare-Oki as saying.

LASTMA reaffirmed 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 contact LASTMA’s toll-free hotline, 0800 005 27862, for immediate intervention in the event of traffic-related incidents or emergencies.