The Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) has addressed concerns stemming from a recent social media post that misrepresented its parking policy.
The post erroneously claimed that LASPA announced it would begin charging churches and worshippers for parking on designated streets around places of worship starting October 2024.
In a clarifying statement, LASPA emphasized that this information is inaccurate and misinterprets their communication. The Lagos State government is not imposing parking fees on churches or worshippers. Instead, LASPA is implementing the Lagos State Parking Policy to reduce parking-induced traffic congestion across the state.
Lagos, like many other major cities worldwide, faces a high demand for parking spaces that exceeds the available supply. To manage this, a regulated on-street parking model is being adopted. Earlier this year, the Governor approved the introduction of this model, which was announced at a stakeholder forum on February 14, 2024, at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.
LASPA has been proactive in informing stakeholders, including religious organizations, about the upcoming implementation in October. Communication with umbrella bodies representing these groups aimed to ensure all stakeholders are informed and prepared for the new regulated parking scheme.
The policy does not target any specific religious group. LASPA’s objective is to inform all stakeholders about their roles and the financial aspects of utilizing designated parking lots. The management of these facilities will be overseen by concessionaires under LASPA’s regulation. Additionally, approximately 1800 new parking slots have been created across major zones in Lagos, including Ikeja, Surulere, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki, to accommodate the increased demand for parking spaces.
