…Says FCT ‘Park-and-Pay’ scheme under legal scrutiny
Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has vowed to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing rumours of possible defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He reiterated that his appointment as minister by President Bola Tinubu of the APC does not signal his exit from the PDP.
Speaking during a live broadcast to mark his one year in office, Wike addressed the ongoing battle for control within the Rivers State chapter of the PDP. He said he would continue to fight for the rights of party members and correct perceived injustices within the party.
Read also: How does Wike plan to fail Kingibe?
“I will not leave the PDP, even as the fight at home in Rivers State and at the national level intensifies,” Wike declared. “I am not prepared to join the APC. The work I am doing here was handed over to me by the president, and I am focused on achieving the task before me.”
Wike emphasised that his support for President Tinubu during the 2023 election was driven by his belief in Tinubu’s ability to address Nigeria’s challenges, rather than any intention to switch political allegiance.
“I will not fold my arms and allow the party I have suffered for over the years to continue doing injustice to its members,” Wike continued. “I will fight to the last.”
Wike’s position comes in the wake of the PDP Board of Trustees’ recent declaration of support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, amid the ongoing power struggle between the two.
Read also: Senator linked to protest sponsorship, claims Wike
In another development, Wike, declared the FCT ‘Park-and-Pay’ on-street parking scheme illegal, citing fraudulent elements in the contract agreements between the managing contractors and the FCT administration.
Originally introduced in 2014 and reintroduced in 2023, the scheme was established through a substantial N908.3 billion agreement with concessionaires NAJEC Limited and Messrs Automaten Technik Bauman Nigeria Limited. The contract projected N26.93 billion in revenue over ten years for each company.
Wike stated that he was unaware of the scheme’s reintroduction and criticised the contract’s terms, which stipulated that 80 percent of the revenue would go to the contractors, leaving only 20 percent for the administration.
He has since instructed that a public notice be issued, declaring the scheme illegal and advising residents not to pay for parking in front of their homes or businesses.
Wike recounted a conversation with a senior advocate who informed him of enforcement actions by individuals claiming to be from the FCT Transport Secretariat.
He inquired about the scheme’s origins and discovered that it involved agreements between the secretariat and self-styled consultants, who were set to receive 80 percent of the proceeds.
The minister expressed his commitment to reducing corruption within the system, acknowledging the challenges posed by ongoing issues with civil servants. He emphasised his determination to minimise corruption while striving to address systemic problems.
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