Ogun Warns Articulated Vehicle Drivers Against Indiscriminate Parking, Highway Blockage
OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
The Ogun State Government has issued a stern warning to articulated vehicle drivers to desist from indiscriminate roadside parking and the blocking of highways, particularly along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway corridor around the Ogere axis.
The Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) said such practices pose serious safety risks, disrupt the free flow of traffic and violate established traffic regulations.
Speaking during an interactive stakeholders’ meeting held at the Ogere TRACE Divisional Command, a senior officer of the agency, Commander Elias Omonayajo, condemned the trend, describing it as dangerous and unacceptable.
He noted that unlawful roadside parking by heavy-duty vehicles endangers other road users and often leads to traffic congestion and avoidable crashes.
Commander Omonayajo urged owners of articulated vehicles and transport unions to caution their members and drivers against the practice, stressing that the safety of lives and property remains a collective responsibility.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Shola Subair, alongside the Consultant to the Governor on Security, retired Commissioner of Police (CP) Edward Ajogun, expressed the state government’s displeasure over indiscriminate parking and highway obstruction.
They described the act as a clear violation of traffic laws and appealed to stakeholders to support TRACE in ensuring orderly and crash-free road use.
The security advisers disclosed that the engagement was aimed at finding lasting solutions to the menace, adding that a task force would be constituted to commence enforcement and apprehend defiant offenders.
Responding on behalf of the transport operators, Seriki Awusawa of Ogere, Alhaji Abdullahi Abubakar, commended the government for providing a platform for dialogue and pledged that articulated vehicle drivers would be continuously sensitised to comply with traffic laws and utilise designated parking areas provided by the government.
He also appealed to the state government to carry out palliative works within existing garages to make them more accessible and usable for drivers.
In their separate contributions, the Oba of Imeji Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Onimeji—represented by the Iyaloja of Tiwa New Town, Ogere, Chief Bukunola Sonubi—and Mr. Adenuga Ridwan, representing Dangote Sugar, emphasised that tackling illegal parking and highway blockage requires collective effort through sustained sensitisation, advocacy and enforcement.
The stakeholders’ meeting brought together representatives of TRACE, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, transport unions including NUPENG (PTD), NURTW, RTEAN, NARTO, members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) such as Dangote, Nestlé, Apple & Pears, as well as community leaders and other relevant stakeholders.
