Mushroom and illegal parks in Port Harcourt City and its environs would soon be outlawed as a new bill proposed to address this problem scales  necessary stages.

The  bill titled,” Street Parking and Private Motor Parks/Garage (Registration and Establishment) Bill, 2012″ came up with new mode of parking in Port Harcourt streets, what amounts to illegal parks and illegal parking, registration processes of new parks, powers of street parking enforcement units, prohibition of motor park/garage without approval, permit duration, franchise fees and other issues connected to it.

Declaring open a public hearing on the bill  recently the leader of Port Harcourt City Legislative Council, Hon Kingsley Owhonda Amadi said it was imperative for members of the public, especially stakeholders to make their imputs on the issue, in view of the socio-economic imparts the bill would have on them and the city.

Present at the public hearing were transport unions, traders, media executives and representatives of transport companies.

Participants who made imputs wanted the bill to extend its coverage form streets to roads in Port Harcourt City and to reduce fee schedules for defaulters. They also called for control of enforcement agents.

According to the bill, first schedule of fines for double parking attracts N5.000.00 while stationary or immovable vehicle on the street would attract N15,000.00.

The bill proposes N25,000 application fee, N200,000 registration fee and N500,000 yearly operational fee for category A which involves small vehicle parks while category “E” which involves N25,000 application fee, N200,000 registration fee and N500.000 yearly operational fee for garages.

Chairman of the adhoc committee, Hon. Awoye Ayibo representing Ward 5 said the essence of the bye-law is to bring sanity and reduce the number of mushroom parks and possibly merge them.

He expressed dismay over the high rate of illegal parks and indiscriminate parking which results in congestions both on the streets and roads in Port Harcourt, stressing that as the city sets to celebrate its one hundred years of existence, there was need for such action.

In his contribution, Hon Henry Oke Chukwu Woke of Ward 2 remarked that the bill would encourage owners of property to convert spaces to development of moto garages adding that such development would create wealth and employment opportunities for the people as done in the developed countries.

Chief Whip of the legislative Arm, Hon. Wolu Wonderful commended participants for making their imputs and assured that the bill was not intended to witch hunt any person or group.

He emphasized that enforcement personnel would be trained and given proper orientation to do their work effectively.

Chris Oluoh