Members of the public, particularly motorists, have been warned against indiscriminate parking and the unlawful obstruction of access routes around places of worship, markets, nightclubs, event centres and other major social convergence points across Lagos State.
The warning comes as the state prepares for the surge in religious, social and recreational activities traditionally associated with cross-over night celebrations.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, noted that cross-over night is usually marked by a sharp increase in vehicular and pedestrian movement, often worsened by loosely coordinated social activities such as carnivals, street jams, roadside festivities and spontaneous celebrations.
While acknowledging the cultural, religious and communal significance of these activities, LASTMA condemned the misuse of public road infrastructure, particularly the conversion of roads into makeshift parking areas or informal event venues.
The agency described such practices as serious violations of traffic regulations with far-reaching consequences for public safety, emergency response and urban mobility.
Mr. Bakare-Oki advised motorists to desist from abandoning vehicles on carriageways, road shoulders, medians, pedestrian walkways and other critical access corridors leading to worship centres and social hubs.
He also cautioned organisers and participants of carnivals, street parties and festive events against blocking highways, inner roads or access routes without lawful authorisation and prior coordination with relevant government agencies.
Addressing anticipated traffic challenges, the LASTMA boss disclosed that the agency has activated a reinforced traffic management, monitoring and enforcement framework for the cross-over night period.
According to him, trained officers, supported by rapid response units and advance surveillance teams operating under the recently inaugurated “LASTMA 24-Hour Night Gangs” initiative, will be strategically deployed to identified flashpoints across the state.
The teams will ensure smooth vehicular movement, strict enforcement of parking regulations and the prompt removal of any unlawful obstructions to traffic flow.
He stressed that offenders would be sanctioned in strict accordance with existing traffic laws, without exception.
Mr. Bakare-Oki further appealed to religious institutions, market leaders, club operators and event organisers to demonstrate civic responsibility by providing adequate parking spaces, deploying internal traffic control measures and engaging proactively with traffic authorities to prevent congestion from spilling onto public roads.
The agency also urged residents and visitors to cooperate fully with traffic officials, comply with traffic directives and exercise patience, restraint and responsibility 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,” he said.
LASTMA reaffirmed its commitment to its statutory mandate of safeguarding lives, maintaining public order on the roads and ensuring efficient traffic movement across the metropolis.
Members of the public were advised to contact the LASTMA toll-free hotline on 0800 005 27862 in the event of any traffic-related incidents or emergencies for immediate intervention.