The Lagos State Government has disputed rumours that worshippers may be charged for parking near churches.
Mrs. Adebisi Adelabu, General Manager of the Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA), issued a statement debunking the claims on Sunday.
She stated that the state’s parking rules will apply to all motorists who wish to use the Lagos State Parking Authority’s freshly built 1,800 parking places.
According to her, the parking ordinance is intended to reduce parking-related transportation congestion around the state.
The Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) has expressed concern over a recent social media post about parking charges for churches and worshippers in Lagos State.
The post incorrectly claimed that “LASPA announced it will, starting October 2024, charge churches and worshippers in Lagos State for parking on designated streets around places of worship.”
LASPA clarified that this information is inaccurate and does not reflect their true intent. The Lagos State government is not imposing parking fees on churches or worshippers for parking around religious institutions. Instead, LASPA is implementing the Lagos State Parking Policy to alleviate parking-induced traffic congestion across the state.
Like many major cities worldwide, Lagos faces a high demand for parking spaces that exceeds the available supply. To manage this efficiently, a regulated on-street parking model is being adopted.
Earlier this year, the Governor approved the introduction of regulated on-street parking, announced during a stakeholder forum on February 14, 2024, at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.
To inform stakeholders, including religious organizations represented at the forum, about the upcoming implementation in October, LASPA communicated with umbrella bodies representing these groups. A news release referenced in a correspondence caused the misunderstanding.
It is important to note that no specific religious group is being singled out by this policy. The aim is to ensure all stakeholders are informed and prepared for the implementation of the regulated on-street parking scheme.
Additionally, the Lagos State Government has designated and lane-marked suitable roads for on-street parking in major zones such as Ikeja, Surulere, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki, creating approximately 1,800 additional parking slots.
The communication sent to religious institutions serves to notify them of their respective roles and the financial aspects of utilizing these designated parking lots. The management of these facilities will be overseen by concessionaires under the regulation of LASPA.
Comments are closed.