The Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) has issued a strong warning to individuals and syndicates involved in illegal parking extortion at the Computer Village area of Ikeja to desist or face the full weight of the law.
The General Manager, LASPA, Mrs. Adebisi Adelabu, who gave the warning today, noted that the Authority has uncovered a racket where fraudsters, working in collaboration with touts, are illegally collecting parking fees from motorists under false pretences.
She disclosed that it has come to the notice of the Authority that illegal parking operators in the Ikeja under-bridge and Computer Village area, allegedly charge unsuspecting drivers a sum of ₦1,000 to park their vehicles.
Mrs. Adelabu, further revealed that some operatives of the Lagos Central Business District (CBD), in Ikeja, often clamp down on the illegally parked vehicles, either removing their number plates or arranging for the vehicles to be towed away, making vehicle owners pay a significant fine to recover both their vehicles and license plates.
She emphasised that the management and regulation of parking within the Ikeja business district, Computer Village and the entire State, is not within the statutory purview of the CBD or any group of touts but rests exclusively with the Lagos State Parking Authority.
“We are aware of these fraudulent activities, and we want to make it clear that LASPA is the only government body legally mandated to oversee parking in Lagos State”, she said.
Continuing, the GM of LASPA condemns these illicit activities in the strongest terms, describing them as a disservice to the public and an embarrassment to the efforts of the State Government at creating a seamless and orderly parking ecosystem.
The management of LASPA therefore urged all perpetrators engaged in illegal parking activities to stop immediately, adding that the Authority has revamped its monitoring and enforcement operations in the Computer Village and the State environs.
While stressing that anyone engaging in illegal parking activities will be arrested and prosecuted without leniency, Adelabu advised Lagos motorists and visitors to the Computer Village area to remain vigilant and patronise only LASPA-registered parking operators with valid identification and receipts.
The general public is also urged to report any suspected individuals or groups engaging in illegal parking operating to LASPA through its official channels: Instagram: Laspa_Lagos, Twitter: LASPA_MOT, Facebook: Lagos state parking authority or call 070 000LASPA, 02012275230, 02012275231 or WhatsApp, 09160005037, 09160005047.
