By CHIAZO OGBOLU

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), on Sunday, warned relevant stakeholders, against indiscriminate obstruction of access roads, during and after the festive periods.

General Manager (GM) of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, made this known in a statement in Lagos.

He urged residents, community custodians, religious bodies, party conveners and organisers of diverse socio-cultural activities, to adhere to traffic regulations in the state.

Bakare-Oki said this during an inspection tour to major traffic-prone corridors in the state, accompanied by top LASTMA management team.

“The agency lamented the persistent and worrisome tendency of celebrants, worship centres, event planners, street revellers and associated groups to annex critical road corridors.

“They thereby disrupt the unhindered traffic circulation and subjecting law-abiding motorists to needless gridlocks, safety risks and severe inconvenience.

“All roadways, whether trunk routes or inner streets, constitute public assets and must not, under any circumstance, be commandeered for private festivities or religious congregations,” he said.

He instructed proprietors of event centres, and recreational centres especially those operating within high-traffic precincts like Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki, among others, to put in place, adequate, and well-coordinated parking arrangements.

The GM warned that defaulters will be liable to rigorous enforcement measures, heavy sanctions, and potential closure, if vehicles are allowed to spill into major roads and corridors from their facilities.

Meanwhile, he reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to safeguard the free movement of vehicles, persons, goods and services throughout the festive period.

He assured that LASTMA officers will intensify surveillance, upscale operational visibility, and deploy proactive traffic management strategies to forestall avoidable obstructions.

Bakare-Oki appealed to residents and event organisers to conduct their affairs responsibly by securing requisite approvals, instituting proper logistical arrangements and extending full cooperation to LASTMA operatives and other relevant government agencies. (NAN)