Isolo plans task-force to punish illegal parking next week
By Damilola Kushimo
The authority of Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) plans to set up a task force to punish indiscriminate parking of vehicles along major roads in the council area.
Speaking on the issue, the Secretary to the Local Government (SLG), Hon. Emmanuel Olojede said the action will affect roads such as Ago Roundabout to Amuwo-Odofin, Ire-Akari, Aswani, as well as major roads within Ajao Estate to contain the hazards caused by the vehicles.
He said: “By next week the Local Government is going to set up a Task force on the issue of Traffic Management Control within Isolo LCDA with particular interest on Ago-Okota Roundabout to Amuwo-Odofin Road. The way trailers have bastardized that road is alarming to the sense that they park indiscriminately on the roads side with no sign, even at night, to show or caution on-coming motorists and it is on record that we have lost at least three to four lives there.
“The communities within that area have expressed their agitation for sanity on that road having visited the Chairman, Hon. Shamsudeen Olaleye who appealed to them not to take laws into their hands.
“The chairman met with the terminal operators there about three times informing them to provide parking spaces for their vehicles and cautioning them against indiscriminate parking. We’ve tried all what we can do but it seems that force is the best to go about it. So, the Chairman has resorted to setting up a Task force in collaboration with all the security institutions within the LCDA and assistance from Lagos State Task force too. Vehicles found on road sides will be impounded.”
“Now it will be an offence to park indiscriminately on all major roads. For example Ire-Akari Road, 5-Star, Emzor area, major roads within Ajao Estate and host of others. If you have something to do along the road, park within streets on that stretch. Move off the main road in order not to cause unnecessary traffic congestion,” he warned.
Olojede disclosed that there may be option of fines for the offenders, saying the council is making a bye law to that effect.
Speaking on the bye law, the council leader, Hon. Remy Shittu Remy, said all is set on the part of the councillors to start the process, stressing that it’s a proactive measure to curb avoidable accident indiscriminate parking poises especially along Ago Place Way.
He explained that if such measure is not considered, aside avoidable disaster, criminals may turn the parked vehicles to their hideouts where they keep guns, adding that the spots may become dumpsites.
“We can’t afford to lose Ago Palace Way. We know how that road was and we sincerely appreciate the relief the construction of that road has brought to us as residents.”
