LASTMA Threatens Sanctions for Illegal Road Use During Festivities

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has warned event centres, nightclubs, and other social gathering venues against obstructing public roads, threatening sanctions for violators.

The agency said such practices, which often occur during festive periods, contribute to gridlocks, hinder the movement of emergency vehicles, and create unnecessary hardship for commuters.

Speaking during inspections of traffic-prone corridors, LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki emphasized that no person or organization, regardless of status, has the right to convert public roads into extensions of private event spaces.

He said the agency is intensifying patrols, gathering intelligence, and paying special attention to traffic hotspots, especially during weekends and festive periods.

LASTMA has called on event organizers to take responsibility by hiring certified traffic personnel or coordinating with the agency to implement proper traffic management plans. In line with this directive, the agency has launched a 24-hour traffic control operation, dubbed “Operation Ember Months Stability,” aimed at maintaining smooth traffic flow ahead of the peak festive season.

The operation has already involved enforcement actions, including the removal of abandoned vehicles and illegal structures obstructing roads.

Authorities believe that stricter enforcement will improve traffic safety, reclaim public spaces, and encourage civic responsibility among event organizers.

LASTMA’s announcement comes as Lagos State prepares for the anticipated surge in vehicle movement during the holiday season, with the agency vowing to ensure roads remain open and accessible to all commuters.