Wike Declares Park & Pay Scheme Unlawful

By: Wisdom Acka

The Park and Pay scheme being repackaged and operated in the nation’s capital is illegal.

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who made this declaration in his office, during a live media parley nonetheless faulted the sharing formula of proceeds from the scheme.

According to the formula, while the consultant is planned to take 80 percent of the revenue, the FCT Administration is left with partly 20 percent.

He words: “A call from a Senior Advocate, brought to light a scheme that has been siphoning government funds under the guise of a legal operation.”

“The scheme, which appears to have been operating under the radar, highlights a critical flaw in the system that allows private consultants to pocket the lion share of revenues meant for the government,” he said.

“These are things we need to fight within the system. Sometimes, if you don’t bring it to our attention, we may not know. We can’t be everywhere,” Wike restated.

According to him, the incident unfolded when a Senior Advocate reached out to me with a troubling report; saying, ‘Sir, some people came to our office and are trying to seize our cars. They claim to be from the Transport Secretariat. I asked him to give the person the phone, and I asked the person, ‘Who are you?’ He said, he is from ‘Park and Pay’ from the Transport Secretariat”.

Wike, who said he was unaware of the activities, explained that he immediately sought clarification; reiterating that “I wasn’t aware of this, so I called the person in charge of it. I asked, ‘Who collects the money?’

“Unknown to us, there are agreements between the Secretariat and some people who claim to be consultants. The consultants take 80 percent, and the FCT Administration takes 20 percent”, he explained.

Abuja Digest recalls that the policy was introduced in 2012 and made applicable on some major streets in the Federal Capital City, with a view to managing traffic congestion.

Soon disagreement and acrimonies ensued as operators of the scheme became high-handed leading to Court action, which declared it illegal in 2014.

Abuja Digest further recalls that by May the following year, the controversial Park and Pay policy was brought to a stop. However, by the 2nd August, last year, before resumption of office by the current Wike-led FCTA, an agreement was signed between FCTA authorities and on-street parking consultants to restore the policy.

Though concerns were raised by both motorists and the Chairmen of the six Area Councils, implementation of the policy kicked off immediately.

Perhaps, this Administration will also restore residents’ hope to this policy which caused many pains, the Minister added.