Visitors to the on-going 5th Abuja International Trade Fair have complained about dearth of parking space at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki, venue of the fair.

The visitors, who spoke at different interviews with the newsmen on Sunday called for speedy completion of the permanent trade fair complex.

One of the visitors, Mr. Paul Akaraonye, said he had been to the fair venue on several occasions but could not find a space to park his car.

He said “the only place I saw to park my car was far from the venue, which meant I would trek some distance I was not prepared to do.

“The other thing I considered was the security of my vehicle at that distance because there was nobody to keep watch over cars parked there.”

Akaraonye, who said that the development was capable of affecting exhibitors negatively, called on relevant authorities to expedite action on the permanent fair complex.

Mrs Jumoke Kayode, another visitor, suggested a partnership between the organisers of the fair and FCT Sports Council so that visitors could park in the sports complex behind the venue of the fair.

She said: “securing a parking space is a very big challenge at the fair. You risk your car and trek some distance with no one to help you carry some of the things you purchase.

“I will suggest that the organisers have an arrangement with the FCT Sports Council so that visitors can park at the sporting complex, which is very accessible to the fair venue.”

Another visitor, Mrs Martha Okere, said that the Old Parade Ground had become inadequate and urged the organisers to work toward completing the permanent site before the next fair.

She added that the difficulty associated with securing parking spaces had discouraged many prospective customers from visiting the fair ground.

Reports say that visitors to the fair parked their cars by the road side and sidewalks, a development which created traffic congestion in the area.