Abuja Park ‘n’ Policy Illegal — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced the dismantling of park ‘n’ pay scheme in the nation’s capital

Wike disclosed this during a live media parley, yesterday, in Abuja to mark his one year in office.

The minister, however, frowned at the sharing formula, where the consultant takes 80 per cent, and the FCT administration takes 20 per cent.

He said: “The 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’s share of revenues meant for the government.

“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 cannot be everywhere.”

Wike said the incident unfolded when a senior advocate reached out to him with a troubling report.

He said the senior advocate said: “’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 such activities, immediately sought clarification.

“I was not 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. So, the consultant takes 80 per cent, and the FCT administration takes 20 per cent,” Wike said.

Wike’s revelation has sparked a broader discussion about transparency and accountability within the FCT’s operations. The minister made it clear that such activities are illegal, and that immediate action would be taken to dismantle the operation.

“I am trying to say that it is illegal, and nothing like that exists. And if my colleague had not called me, I would not have known,” he said.

This incident has not only brought to light a specific case of corruption but has also highlighted the importance of vigilance in governance.

Wike’s swift response is expected to lead to a broader investigation into similar practices across the FCT, ensuring that the government’s coffers are protected from exploitation by unscrupulous actors.