By Joy Odor
The Senate has resolved to check the illegal motor parks, pick up points and garages within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which if not controlled or eliminated, may in addition cause accidents and become a serious security threat and concern.
The Senate’s resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Ahmed Wadada (SDP Nasarawa West) and co-sponsored by Senator Ireti Kingibe (LP-FCT) during plenary on Thursday.
According to them, park at non-designated parking zones on the high way always cause unnecessary traffic, congestion and accidents.
Leading the debate, Wadada said by the Constitution of Nigeria, the National Assembly was constitutionally empowered to legislate for the FCT.
“The FCT was the fastest growing city in Africa with the influx of people from all parts of the nation thereby putting pressure on existing facilities and causing increased vehicular traffic. “This is as people have come from all walks of life to seek greener pasture.
“Even though the Abuja master plan has designated motor parks and garages for pick ups and drop off of passengers, transporters in the FCT have formed the terrible habit of picking up and dropping off passengers indiscriminately.
“They also park at non-designated parking zones on the high way thereby causing unnecessary traffic and congestion and also accidents on the highway” he said.
Supporting the motion, Senator Kingibe said the FCT being the capital of the nation; the seat of the government and the face of Nigeria it was important that the illegal motor parks are taken care of urgently.
Sen. Isa Jibril in his submission called for the scraping of illegal motor parks immediately and any motorists that do not go with the rules of parking, while appropriate sanctions should be given to serve as deterrence to airing motorists.
Also contributing, Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe reminded that the Senate is the House of Assembly of the FCT and rather make a motion, their job actually is to make bye laws for the FCT which behooves on all the Lawmakers to come up with the bye laws of the FCT.
The Red Chamber urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the VIO, FRSC, and other relevant agencies to immediately commence a joint task force to step up activities to eradicate these illegal garages and pick-ups within the metropolis.
The Senate also urged the joint task force to always enforce the penalty for the creation of illegal garages within the FCT.
In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau who presided over the plenary informed that it’s an eyesore on what is happening every day in Abuja where everywhere has been turned to garage which is not befitting the capital city.
“It is the pride of all us; a wonderfully crafted city but being messed up the sites we see every day along roads. The FCT committee when constituted should be able to do its oversight functions properly. They should put pressure on the FCT administration to do what they are supposed to do by making sure we have a befitting city that we can all be proud of” he laments.
