Wike Declares FCT’s ‘Park-and-Pay’ Parking Scheme Illegal, Cites Fraudulent Practices

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared the On-Street Parking scheme, commonly known as the ‘Park-and-Pay’ scheme, illegal. He cited fraudulent practices in the contract agreement between the managing contractors and the FCT administration.

During a media briefing marking his first year in office as FCT Minister, Wike stated that he was unaware of the scheme’s reintroduction in 2023. The FCT administration had signed a ₦908.3 billion agreement with concessionaires NAJEC Limited and Automaten Technik Bauman Nigeria Limited, aiming to generate ₦26.93 billion over a 10-year term.

Wike revealed that the agreement stipulated an 80% revenue share for the contractors, with only 20% remitted to the FCT administration. He expressed concern over this arrangement, questioning why residents should pay for parking in front of their businesses or homes.

Wike has since ordered the release of a statement informing residents that the Park-and-Pay scheme is illegal. He emphasized his commitment to reducing corruption within the FCT administration.

“The point I’m making is that, no matter how you shuffle things, you still have civil servants working with you. It is not easy, but you try as much as possible to reduce it to the bare minimum. But we must continue to fight hard,” Wike said.