6th August, 2023
By Philip Yatai
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and a group of on-street parking concessionaires have inked an agreement to reinstate “park and pay” scheme in Abuja.
Mr. Olusade Adesola, FCTA’s Permanent Secretary, confirmed after signing the agreement on Saturday.
According to him, the initiative will help to relieve traffic congestion and make driving more enjoyable. It will also create a culture of orderliness and organisation in vehicle parking.
Adesola noted that the scheme was suspended in 2014 by an Abuja High Court due to a lack of legal backing.
Furthermore, he claimed that the previous implementation occurred without the consent of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
But that the FCTA has enacted regulations and obtained FEC permission to ensure the scheme’s smooth implementation, given its merits.
The idea, according to the permanent secretary, would provide parking spots for vehicle owners for a fee, while motorists who failed to pack properly would be penalised.
He noted that the scheme was reintroduced with the active assistance of the six Area Councils.
Adesola stated that the FCTA and the councils have agreed that all wrongdoing and rightdoing charges will be pooled and shared between the Administration and the six area councils.
He stressed that implementation would not begin until citizens were thoroughly informed and sensitised to the concept.
“So, while the agreement is being signed today, the commencement of the park and pay is not starting today.
“The communication that should precede the implementation of the project is that the citizens need to know that we are signing on-street parking.
“A lot of activities will follow. There will be robust stakeholders’ engagement; the operators will visit key institutions and will engage residents through electronic and print media.
“This is to ensure that people are sensitised and above all, to be aware that there will be a period of free parking, just for people to know how to use the facility,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Wadata, Bodinga, Director, Traffic Management, Transportation Secretariat, FCTA noted that the increasing population growth in the FCT was accompanied by congestion and traffic challenges.
Bodinga said that development has led to haphazard parking, increased parking competition and traffic congestion.
This, according to him, exposes the motoring public and the pedestrian to security and road hazards, adding that reintroduction of the initiative would mitigate the challenges.
He said that the scheme would impact positively on economic activities of FCT residents, through improving customer experience and promoting efficient parking management systems.
According to him, the scheme will enable customers to find easy parking spaces, thereby saving time and fuel, especially with removal of fuel subsidy.
“The FCTA gazetted Federal Capital Territory Parking Scheme, 2019, with the accompanying guidelines, provides legal basis for the implementation of the on-street parking scheme.
“This will increase the safety and security of vehicles and pedestrians, reduce traffic and pollution, and improve the aesthetic of the urban city and workplace for the motoring public.
“It will also be cost effective because people can access parking spaces very easily when coming into the city and reach their destination within work hours.
“It will equally improve traffic management, cleaner and safer environment with positive effect on health,” he said.
On his part, Mr Nebolisa Igboka, Managing Director, NAJEC Ltd. who spoke on behalf of the concessionaires, commended the FCTA for reintroducing on-street parking scheme in the FCT.
Noting the evolving urban landscape, Igboka said that it was crucial to strike a balance between modernisation and convenience while ensuring the wellbeing of residents.
He said that the on-street parking scheme offers several benefits, stressing that it eases the burden on existing public infrastructure, such as pedestrian walkways, green verges, reducing congestion and promoting free flow of traffic.
According to him, providing more parking options will encourage people to utilise public spaces efficiently, thereby leading to better utilisation of urban areas.
“On-street parking initiative will promote local businesses, easy access to packing spaces, increase good traffic and encourage people to visit shops and restaurants with promising impact on local economy.
“By implementing time limits and zoning regulations, we can prevent abuse and ensure that parking spaces remain available for all residents and visitors,” he said.
NAN