Stakeholders criticize LASERA over excessive levies and operational charges

Several stakeholders in the Lagos transportation and logistics sectors have expressed dissatisfaction with the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Agency (LASERA), accusing the agency of imposing excessive fees and levies that are affecting their operations and profitability. The complaints, which have been growing in recent weeks, center around what many operators describe as unsustainable financial demands placed on them in the name of regulation, enforcement, and compliance.

From ride-hailing drivers to logistics companies, the consensus among aggrieved parties is that LASERA’s fee structure is steep, poorly communicated, and lacks consideration for the prevailing economic realities faced by small business owners and transport service providers. Many of them argue that instead of creating an enabling environment for growth and sustainability, the agency’s approach is pushing them toward operational distress.

Commercial transport associations have particularly voiced their concern, stating that the recurring charges levied on their vehicles under various environmental or regulatory pretexts are not only excessive but are introduced without adequate stakeholder consultation. They argue that drivers are constantly subjected to enforcement actions by LASERA officers, often resulting in vehicle impoundments and fines, even when they claim to be operating within the legal framework.

Some of these charges reportedly include daily or weekly environmental compliance levies, sticker and tag renewals, inspection fees, and fines for minor infractions. A representative of a union of tricycle operators in Alimosho local government said that their members were being forced to pay multiple fees for the same regulatory purposes and that in some cases, the rationale behind such charges remains unclear. He lamented that the repeated financial impositions were eating deep into their daily earnings.

For the growing delivery and e-logistics sector in Lagos, the story is similar. Several logistics companies claim that they have received demands for payments and levies from LASERA that do not correspond with the scale of their operations. One logistics operator in Ikeja noted that the financial pressure from regulatory bodies like LASERA was threatening to reverse the gains made in the tech-driven logistics space, especially among start-ups and small courier firms.

Ride-hailing drivers working with platforms such as Bolt and Uber also joined in the criticism, claiming that LASERA officers have frequently stopped and penalized them for alleged non-compliance, despite possessing valid documents. Some said that they were being asked to pay what they called “compliance fees” running into tens of thousands of naira without receiving official explanations or receipts. The drivers called on the Lagos State government to intervene and streamline the various agencies’ roles to prevent overlap and reduce harassment.

While the state government has positioned LASERA as an enforcement body for maintaining environmental and transport order in the city, many stakeholders believe the agency has overstepped its mandate. According to a public affairs analyst, the agency’s expanding regulatory scope is creating confusion and eroding the trust of those it is supposed to guide and support.

He noted that regulation should be a collaborative process that balances order with the economic realities of the regulated community. He warned that the unchecked increase in operational fees could discourage investment in the transport sector and encourage non-compliance if operators feel overburdened or unfairly targeted.

Efforts to reach LASERA for an official response were not immediately successful, but sources within the agency have insisted that all levies and fees being collected are legal and backed by the Lagos State Environmental Law. They claim that many operators avoid compliance until enforcement is initiated and that the agency is only carrying out its duty to maintain order, cleanliness, and safety within Lagos’ complex urban transport ecosystem.

However, this explanation has not eased the growing tension among operators. Calls are growing louder for the Lagos State Government and Ministry of Transportation to revisit LASERA’s role and ensure that its operations are transparent, accountable, and fair. Some stakeholders are calling for an independent review of LASERA’s fee framework and enforcement practices, suggesting that the agency conduct regular town hall meetings to engage directly with those affected by its policies.

In the face of Lagos’ rapid urban expansion, many agree that regulation is necessary to ensure that transportation and logistics services are delivered efficiently and within legal frameworks. But they insist that regulation must be enabling, not punitive. Several civil society groups have indicated interest in supporting operators to challenge arbitrary levies through legal and policy advocacy channels.

As the controversy continues, the focus remains on whether LASERA will review its fee policies and improve communication with stakeholders. Many operators say they are not against regulation but want fairness, clarity, and accountability. Until these concerns are addressed, the dispute between LASERA and transport operators may continue to deepen, potentially affecting mobility, job creation, and the ease of doing business in Africa’s largest city.