The Lagos State Government has denied reports that worshippers will be charged for parking around churches. In a statement on Sunday, the General Manager of the Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA), Mrs. Adebisi Adelabu, clarified that the state’s parking policy applies to all motorists using the newly created 1,800 parking slots of LASPA.

She explained that the parking policy is intended to reduce traffic congestion caused by improper parking. "The Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) has noted with concern a recent social media post regarding parking charges for churches and worshippers in Lagos State," the statement read. "The post incorrectly stated that 'Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) on Saturday announced it will from October 2024 charge churches and worshippers in Lagos state, who parked vehicles on designated streets around places of worship'."

To clarify, LASPA emphasized that this information is inaccurate and does not reflect their true intent. The Lagos State government is not imposing parking fees on churches or worshippers for parking on streets around religious institutions. Instead, LASPA is implementing a parking policy to manage parking resources and reduce traffic congestion.

Adelabu noted that Lagos, like many major cities, faces a high demand for parking spaces. Therefore, the government is adopting a regulated on-street parking model. The Governor approved this policy earlier this year, which was announced during a stakeholder forum on February 14, 2024, at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.

LASPA communicated with religious organizations, represented at the forum, about the implementation in October. The correspondence to religious institutions was meant to inform them of their roles and the financial aspects of using designated parking lots, managed by concessionaires under LASPA regulation. The policy does not target any specific religious group but aims to ensure all stakeholders are informed and prepared for the regulated on-street parking scheme.

Additionally, the Lagos State Government has designated and marked suitable roads for on-street parking in major zones like Ikeja, Surulere, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki, creating approximately 1,800 additional parking slots.