New rules for parks in Abuja out soon

‘New guidelines for FCT Parks out soon’ – Runsewe

The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Otunba Segun Runsewe who doubles as the Chairman of the Ministerial Committee on Operation and Management of Parks in the Federal Capital Territory has said that new guidelines for the operation of Parks within the FCT will soon emerge.

The NTDC DG while addressing stakeholders during a meeting, made this position known during an interactive session organized by the Committee to create a platform for Park Owners and the Committee to rub minds and identify problematic areas which include encroachment of land, allegations of illegal occupancy, application for reallocation, erection of masts by Telecommunication operators in some Park sites, security issues, erosion, sewage and its attendant health hazard amongst others.

The DG further stated that the committee has been working hard by visiting several Parks around the FCT even at night to ascertain the true status of things and will soon come out with a blue print to regulate the activities of the Parks in the FCT.

Otunba Runsewe especially commended the Park Owners stating that they are helping to reduce crime by way of creating employment for people who otherwise would have been idle. In the words of the DG, “the essence of this meeting is to know where the shoe pinches you the Owners of Parks and find solutions to your problems”. He promised that the present FCT administration is committed to providing solutions to the problems Park Owners in the FCT face while stressing that the committee which was inaugurated at the instance of the Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed would do a thorough job to that extent.

The NTDC boss seized the opportunity to highlight the benefits of parks and advised owners to diversify in terms of the services they render in order to fully explore the commercial benefits that ownership and operation confer on them. He intimated that while some parks will run all night, others will cater for day-time relaxation.

Speaking further, Otunba Runsewe lamented the inadequacy of toilet facilities in some Parks stressing that the number of toilets in a Park should be commensurate to the size of the Park. He further used the interactive session to entertain complaints from stakeholders and promised that the Committee will be proactive in providing solutions to the myriad problems identified adding that a new precedent was being set with the coming on board of the present administration.

The NTDC helmsman assured that the committee when making its submission to the FCT Minister would ensure equity and fairness for all practitioners who operate within the ambit of stipulated laws guiding the procurement and leasing of lands for recreational activities as established by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and that guidelines for Park operators will be issued based on this.

 - By NTDC Press Unit