Reps panel grills FCTA officials over park and pay policy

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory has expressed concerns over the park and pay arrangement in Abuja, citing harassment of residents and motorists by enforcement agents.
The committee questioned FCTA officials about the policy’s legal framework, contract process, and revenue sharing with concessionaires.
The committee chairman, Muktar Betara, demanded details on the reintroduced park and pay arrangement, including the contract process and remittances to the FCDA.
However, the committee criticized the FCDA for allocating 60% of revenue to concessionaires, demanding clarification on what infrastructure they are providing.
The committee also questioned the abandonment of motor parks, financial allocations, and expenditures for various projects.
The committee demanded a comprehensive report detailing the total budget and expenditures for 2022, 2023, and 2024 to facilitate proper scrutiny and oversight.
Responding, Elechi said the policy is regulated and supported by a legal framework and that only designated areas serve as parking zones.
“The park and pay is by regulation. We have legal framework. It is part of the ways of controlling traffic. So, under the part and pay, designated areas are meant to be parks. So, it is legal,” Elechi said.
“It is (revenue) paid through concessionaires. There is usually a ration between the concessionaires and the FCT. So, for areas where we have the concessionaires, there is a percentage that goes to the concessionaires. It is 60 percent and 40 percent goes to FCT. The infrastructures for the work is usually provided by the concessionaire. It (revenue) goes straight to the revenue account of the FCT not transportation.”
The committee chairman queried the mandate secretary about the contract process. “How was the contract established? In appointing your concessionaires, what procedure did you follow? How much has been remitted to the FCDA from January to date Who gave you the approval” Betara asked.
Responding, Hussaina Olayemi, the director of legal services of the transport secretariat, explained that the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Abuja Investment Company (AIC), the FCT organisation responsible for public-private partnerships, were involved.
“After their involvement, the concession was submitted to the federal executive council (FEC) for approval. So, we have the FEC approval,” Olayemi stated.
The committee criticized the FCDA for allocating 60 percent of revenue to concessionaires while the government receives only 40 percent, demanding clarification on what infrastructure the concessionaires are providing.