The general manager, Lagos State Parking Authority,(LASPA) Mrs. Adebisi Adelabu has called on stakeholders in the hospitality industry to comply with the state’s parking policy and make adequate arrangements to meet their Customers’ Parking needs.
Adelabu made this call while speaking as a panelist at the engagement session organized by Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for stakeholders in the hospitality sector on current industry challenges, emerging trends, Policy frameworks and collaborative opportunities within the entire hospitality value chain at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island.
She stressed that it is the duty of those who own and operate facilities such as hotels, bars and other event centres to make
adequate provision for parking for their customers/clients.
“If you have an event centre, hotel or restaurant, ideally you should make sure you have enough parking” she said.
The general manager explained that LASPA is not quick to take punitive measures, but rather seeks voluntary compliance from Lagosians, saying that the Authority usually explores all available options to sensitize the public before commencement of any enforcement exercise.
“We as an agency are not here to disrupt your business, what we ask is that you don’t make your businesses an infringement to the rights of others, ensure you comply with the dictates of the Lagos State parking Policy”, she stated.
Adelabu urged event centers to ensure ample parking provision for their guest right from the outset of constructing their facilities.
She emphasized that according to the law, anyone planning to build a
structure for social gatherings must conduct a traffic impact
assessment prior to construction, and the approved designs must be
strictly followed.
“When you are building a structure like an event centre you require
the traffic impact assessment, which will definitely go through the
Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and Ministry of
Transport before an approval is issued. However, oftentimes people
build something different from what they submitted, this should not
continue” she said .
She stated that the government acknowledges the parking requirements
of certain existing event centers and corporate entities grappling
with inadequate parking spaces, assuring that the authority is
prepared to aid them in establishing alternative arrangements whenever
necessary.
“Should you require additional parking spaces around your businesses,
please reach out to us, we will check with other nearby facilities who
don’t use their spaces at that particular period to accommodate your
needs, the Authority can also provide you parking marshal for special
events” she opined.
According to her, one of the goals of the agency is to make all
Lagosian aware of their parking responsibilities, adding that, “Before
you leave your house, ensure you check if it is compulsory to go out
with your car, and if you need to, you have to consider where to park
your car, check if there are available parking in that space, how much
it costs to park and then factor that into your movement plans.”
Adelabu affirmed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration is
making significant investments in an intermodal transport system to
reduce reliance on car travel.
She noted that Lagosians now have access to trains and boats as well
as options like LAGRIDE or the first and last mile buses to complete
their journeys.
“You have a variety of transportation options available in Lagos now.
Rather than driving around searching for parking, you can take
advantage of trains or BRT buses. Furthermore, you can opt for LAGRIDE
or first and last-mile buses to reach your destination after getting
off the train or ferry,” she pointed out.
She also appealed to corporate entities, car park operators, and
others in the sector to comply with the parking policy and ensure
timely payment of their rates to avoid enforcement measures.
