The Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) has announced that motorists will soon be charged for parking on designated streets before the end of 2026. This initiative aims to tackle the chronic traffic congestion plaguing Africa's largest city.
Pilot Scheme in Selected LGAs
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement visit to the Ikeja Local Government Area, LASPA General Manager Adebisi Adelabu revealed that the On-Street Parking Scheme will commence as a pilot in selected local government areas, including Ikeja. The scheme is designed to bring order to parking on Lagos streets, ease traffic congestion, and create job opportunities for residents within the designated areas.
Adelabu clarified that the responsibility for parking management was originally with local councils before the Conference of 57 LGAs and Local Council Development Areas formally ceded it to LASPA. She emphasized that LGAs and LCDAs stand to benefit from the initiative based on their level of cooperation and urged local authorities to actively support its implementation.
The LASPA boss also reaffirmed the authority's openness to inputs and suggestions from stakeholders to ensure a smooth rollout of the scheme.
Council Support and Public Sensitization
In response, the Ikeja LGA Chairman welcomed the development and pledged the council's support. He called for wider public sensitization to prepare residents ahead of the scheme's commencement, ensuring that the public is well-informed about the new parking regulations.
Addressing Chronic Gridlock
Chaotic roadside parking has long been identified as a major contributor to the gridlock that plagues Lagos, particularly in high-traffic commercial districts such as Ikeja, Lagos Island, Surulere, and Apapa. Vehicles parked indiscriminately on roadsides routinely narrow carriageways, obstruct traffic flow, and frustrate commuters, with economic consequences running into billions of naira in lost productivity annually.
With Lagos grappling with chronic traffic gridlock and disorderly roadside parking, authorities say the scheme represents a significant step toward more structured and sustainable urban mobility management. The initiative is expected to bring order to the streets, reduce congestion, and improve the overall commuting experience for residents and visitors alike.
