PARK AND PAY: OUTCOME OF INTERACTIVE SEESION BETWEEN BUSINESS ENABLING ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE (BEEC), PLATEAU STATE AND GENERAL MANAGER OF JOS METROPILITAN DEVELOPMENT BOARD (JMDB)

Report by Nnabugwu Chizoba

 

Rt. Hon. Governor Simon Bako Lalong

The importance of enabling environment for businesses to thrive, grow and develop can never be over emphasized. Sequel to this, the Business Enabling Environment Committee, Plateau state also known as BEEC, pursuant to her mandate of promoting enabling environment, paid a visit on Tuesday 31, July, 2018 to the General Manager, (GM), of the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB), Mr Mathaias Hata, in his office located at the premises of the Board, at Dasuki Street, near the Rwang Pam Township stadium, Jos.

The visit offered BEEC Members opportunity to interact with the GM, JMDB extensively, on matters that relate to the operations of the reemerged “Park and Pay” currently in operation at the city center, Jos.

You will recall that the “Pack and Pay” as a Policy was introduced some time ago by the Governor Jonah David Jang led administration, in Plateau State. The Policy was later on suspended by the administration. The belief of most people then and even after is that the Policy was suspended because of public outcry against the Policy.

However, the Committee learnt from the interactive session that the Policy was suspended then by the government because there was no law backing it. As you would expect, the Committee members sort to know the position of the law presently, with regard to the “Park and Pay”.

BEEC members in a group Photograph with GM JMDB and his team

In his response, the GM informed the Committee that the law to that effect has been passed by the 8th Assembly, under the Rt. Hon. Governor Simon Bako Lalong led administration in Plateau state. 

The general public is enjoined to obtain copy of the law from the State Ministry of Justice.

Yours truly on white, paying rapt attention to the GM

Summary of other information generated from the interactive session is presented below:

• The law is presently implemented at Ahmadu Bello Way, Tafawa Balewa and Rwam Pam Street
• The amount as it applies to vehicles parked along Ahmadu Bello Way is N100.00 (One hundred Naira only)
• The amount payable at Rwang Pam and Tafawa Balewa Streets is N50.00 (fifty Naira only)
•  The amount approved by the law is N200.00 (two hundred Naira), but JMDB wears a human face in implementing the law according to the GM.
• The payment is made before leaving the Car for your transactions.
• Collection of Money for the “Park and Pay” is contracted out to Consultants.
• The Consultants pay the government upfront every quarter before they commence collection
• Three Consultants are handling each of the three locations where the law presently applies
• The Consultants do not determine the amount to pay for “Park and Pay”, the JMDB does
• The Consultants are empowered by the law establishing the “Park and Pay” to remove plate number if anybody refuses to comply with the consultants by paying the stipulated amount.
• Those whose plate number is removed, shall part with N1000.00 (One Thousand Naira) before their plate number is returned to them
• The Consultants are also empowered to tow the car, if need be. If this happens, the car owner shall part with N5000.00 (Five thousand Naira) or above, depending on the type of car.
• Banks along Ahmadu Bello Way have paid upfront for space in front of their premises. The implication is “Park and Pay” enforcers or staff of the Consultant is not expected to collect any money from people who park in such places.
• Negotiations are still on with banks along Rwang Pam Street to go the same way

The general public and in particular the business community in Plateau state is called upon to collaborate with the JMDB in the implementation of the law, by complying with the Consultants.

In a related development, the GM also called on those who feel aggrieved for one reason or the other to take appropriate steps and report to the Board. He also assured the public that matters reported to them will not only be given prompt and accelerated treatment, but that justice will be given top priority.