Vehicle Owners To Pay Hourly Fees For On-Street Parking, Lagos Writes Churches, Mosques, Others
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Lagosians React to Implementation of Hourly Parking Fees On Religious Homes
The Lagos State Government has resolved to be charging vehicle owners who park on some designated streets in the state.
The on-street parking regulation will commence in October this year in Lekki, Surulere and some other areas.
The state government has been writing religious bodies, including churches, mosques, organisations and event centres to notify them of the commencement of the on-street parking charges.
The government, in a letter directed to the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos State branch, informed the body that vehicles parked by the church and members on designated streets will be charged hourly, while indiscriminately parked vehicles will be enforced accordingly.
Dated July 19 and signed by the Head of Operations of Lagos State Parking Authority, Ayokunle Akinrinmisi. The letter reads: “I am directed to inform your revered organisation that LASPA will be commencing its on-street parking scheme at designated streets within the Lagos State metropolis.
“In view of this, I am using this medium to inform your eminence, that vehicles parked on designated streets by the church and its members, will be charged hourly and indiscriminately parked vehicles will be enforced upon accordingly.
“Consequently, we advise that this piece of information be adhered to as a law-abiding organisation.”
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the General Manager of the Lagos State Parking Authority, Adebisi Adelabu, confirmed that a pilot programme of the on-street parking scheme would commence in October.
She said: “In 2022, we held meetings with Christian associations, Muslim associations, nightclubs, event centres and others. We told them that we were starting with set-back and progressing to on-street parking.
“Lagos is a city of over 25 million people and we have over three million vehicles, we must have proper parking management, so they have been sensistised.”
PUNCH
However, the notice, according to NIGERIAN BULLETIN did not specify the fees that would be charged.
NIGERIAN BULLETIN reports that the announcement has generated mixed reactions on social media. Some users expressed frustration and skepticism about the implementation, questioning why the directive seemed to target churches while not mentioning mosques. One user commented, “Why always churches though? Mosque nko?” highlighting a perceived bias in the policy.
Others supported the move, believing it could help reduce traffic congestion in Lagos. One commenter said: “Nice move. This will help us reduce unnecessary traffic.” Another added, “Anything that has to do with taxing of churches I support with my full chest.”
However, there were also humorous and cynical responses, with some people joking about the government’s need for revenue. One user quipped, “Oshey them don need money,” while another joked, “Thank God Say I No Get Car.”
The reactions underscore the diverse opinions and concerns of Lagos residents regarding the new parking scheme. As the implementation date approaches, it remains to be seen how the policy will impact churchgoers and the broader community.
NIGERIAN BULLETIN
