Wike considers “Park-and-Pay” program of FCT unlawful.
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has ruled that the “Park-and-Pay” on-street parking program is unlawful, citing instances of fraud in the contract between the management contractors and the FCT.
To commemorate his first year in service as the FCT Minister, the Minister made this statement on Wednesday during a media conference.
Following the signing of a major N908.3 billion arrangement with concessionaires NAJEC Limited and Messrs Automaten Technik Bauman Nigeria Limited, with an expected N26.93 billion in revenue for a 10-year term apiece, the FCT administration revived the plan in 2023.
When Olusade Adesola, the FCT’s then-permanent secretary, signed the agreement on the organization’s behalf in August 2023, she said that the six area councils had approved the scheme’s return and that it was intended to firmly establish organisation and order in the city.
Wike countered that the agreement only allowed the administration to receive 20% of the total, with the contractors receiving the remaining 80% of the payment, and stated he was unaware of the relaunched scheme.
He went on to say that he had subsequently ordered the production of a statement informing the public that the program was unlawful and that homeowners should not be forced to pay for parking in front of their homes or places of business.
A senior advocate colleague of mine contacted to report, ‘People arrived to the office presently, trying to kidnap all our cars,'” They were from the Transport Secretariat, he claimed. “Give the person the phone,” I commanded. And who are you, I asked? How are you spending your time? Park and pay, he said. “What do you mean by Park and Pay?” I asked in response. After I park my car at home, I make the necessary payments.
“I made touch with the Mandate Secretary and the Transport Secretariat. I enquired as to who launched the Park and Pay program and its purpose. Who is in charge of money collection? As it turned out, the Transportation Secretariat and a few people posing as consultants had arrangements. Then I questioned, “Is the government taking twenty percent and consultants taking eighty percent?”
“Is the government receiving this 20 percent payment?” I gave the order to compose a statement. “Send out a statement informing the public that there is no such thing as Park and Pay,” I told the director of press over the phone. It’s against the law. I’m attempting to say that,'” he said.
In an effort to reduce systematic corruption, the Minister disclosed that secretariats within the administration arranged contracts such as the Park and Pay plan.
“My argument is that civil servants are still employed by you, regardless of how you rearrange things. Even if it’s difficult, you try your hardest to minimise it. But we have to keep up the good fight,” he said.