The Senate on Thursday, May 23, 2019, passed a bill seeking the establishment of road traffic and motor vehicle administration agency in the nation’s capital. The proposed agency, if the bill is signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, will, among others, review the parking fees and enforce the parking laws in the FCT.
A week or so later, Daily Trust went to town with an editorial, condemning this law, describing it as OBNOXIOUS. But let’s look at facts, as at the time the Park and Pay scheme started early 2012.
There were more than 600,000 vehicles coming into Abuja metropolis from the three major entry points to the city, namely, Nyanya, Gwagwalada and Zuba, every working day. This heavy vehicular influx has been overstretching the road an already inadequate infrastructure within the city.
There is global standard of putting up infrastructure, by using inputs from a Certified Public Parking Administrator (CPPA), who designs parking facility within your structure, this is not available in Nigeria, so people or companies, just erect edifices without parking considerations.
The design of Abuja streets was very explicit with pedestrian walk ways and green verges, beautifying the city. But motorists in Abuja turned these walk ways and green verges to parking lots, disfiguring the otherwise beautiful sights, which hitherto, made walking the streets a beautiful and safe experience. Park and Pay, restored that, to the delight of pedestrians.
There is no gain saying that the Park and Pay scheme generated huge revenue for the FCT administration and even FIRS, huge amounts that can be verified by doubting Thomases by simply applying the FOI Act. The scheme also reduced crimes like car theft, vandalisation of cars and such urban road crimes to the barest minimum.
The list goes on and on, however we agree, yes there were flaws in execution, yes there were a few cases of corruption here and there, yes there were a few anger tantrums from both sides here and there. But overall, this park and pay scheme is about the best thing to happen to a global city like Abuja.
In any case, this new law, as passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, is explicit and very technical, it has eliminated all issues that created rifts back then. By the way, the bill passed through first, second and third readings at the National Assembly? There was a public hearing where all shades of arguments were considered?
Nigeria cannot afford to throw away the baby and the bath water, which is what sceptics want. President Muhammadu Buhari is an attested disciplinarian who is working hard to bring sanity to our economy and our attitude.
Umar Usman Kaltungo
uukaltungo@gmail.com/ 07033756132