· Scheme insensitive with rising cost – Residents
· Sanity paramount in city parking – FCTA
By Sarah NEGEDU
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, may have finally resolved the long standing issues with the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, over the reintroduction of on-street-parking scheme, as the FCTA and a group of concessionaires finally signed an agreement to recommence the scheme in Abuja.
However, residents have described the scheme and its timing as insensitive coming at a time of economic meltdown occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal and its attendant consequences.
Some of those who spoke to The Abuja Inquirer, weekend, alleged that it was a drainpipe for some officials of the administration.
Mr. Ogaba Odey said, “how can you reintroduce a scheme that has remained unpopular and will at the end of the day reduce the earning power of residents? As it is, things are already difficult and here is the administration that has added no value introducing park and pay to drain our pockets. It is unfortunate.”
Also, Matthias Ikyav wondered what infrastructure the administration has improved upon to reintroduce the policy.
“The FCT is only interested in taking from residents and nothing more. They have not fixed any of the so many bad roads/traffic lights littered around the city but are interested in taxes,” Ikyav alleged.
Before the reintroduction of the policy, AMAC and the FCTA have been at loggerheads over who collects the revenue.
AMAC had resisted attempts by the FCTA to reintroduce the policy, describing the move as unjustifiable and aimed at denying the council its legitimate revenue.
Again in June, this newspaper reported the appearances of signposts suspected to have erected by AMAC, with the council insisting on retaining the rights to collect and manage motorists’ activities on streets and motor parks in the area council.
The scheme was suspended in 2014 by an Abuja High Court, on grounds that it was not backed by law, nor was its implementation with the approval of the Federal Executive Council, FEC.
However, the permanent secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, said that the administration has put regulation in place and also secured the approval of the FEC, to ensure a smooth implementation of the scheme.
Adesola, who stated this after signing the concession agreement on behalf of the FCTA at the weekend, said the reintroduction of the scheme was now with the active support of the six Area Councils.
The permanent secretary is optimistic that the initiative will not only decongest the city and make motoring a more pleasant experience, but also promote a culture of orderliness and organisation in vehicle parking.
He explained that under the scheme, parking lots would be provided for vehicle owners for a fee, while motorists would be fined for wrong parking.
“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.”
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.
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.
“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.
