Task Force killing my business, Nyanya Park operator cries out

By Abdullahi Muhammad

Nyanya Temporary Motor Park operator, Alhaji Isyaka Babanagode, has accused members of the Special Ministerial Task Force of collecting money from drivers loading and off-loading outside the Park, thereby frustrating his business as commuters prefer taking vehicles outside the Park.
Babanagode lamented that since he took over the running of Nyanya Park, after it was closed down following the bomb blast that killed dozens, he had invested about N50 million which he borrowed from a bank, but that since the Ministerial Committee has reneged in the agreement to prevent loading outside the Park, he had been unable to recoup his invested funds.
It would be recalled that the former Acting FCT Transportation Secretary, Suleiman Abdulhameed visited the facility in July, this year, before its official re-opening and promised that the FCT Administration, using the Ministerial Task Force on Clearing Nyanya – Karshi road, would keep the Keffi – Abuja route free of traffic as no loading would be allowed outside the Park.
He was supposed to remit 30 per cent of proceeds from the Park to the FCTA, keeping 70 per cent, but the situation on ground, according to him, makes his financial liability to the FCTA unattainable.
However, when contacted, the Secretary, Transportation Secretariat, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, said: “The operator, who is an independent investor, suddenly closed the park without official communication to the FCT Administration, or the Transport secretariat.
“Let me tell you that the investor closed the terminal on protest to the lack of revenue generation and he also complained of sudden spring up of illegal motor-parks thereby reducing the amount of patronage, as against the original plan which was designed to ensure sanity and possible revenue generation for the investor.”
He added that his administration “will soon address the issues by holding meetings with the people involved and such actions, will bring lasting solution to whatever problems that may have been elicited at Nyanya Park.”
“Ordering for the reopening of the park, is what we need for now, we have already ordered for the immediate reopening and business has begun pending the time we solve the problem.”

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