Engineer Gbenga Dairo, Commissioner for Transportation, Ogun State, has in a press release stated that the Ministry of Transportation through Parks and Garages Development Agency (PAGADA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the 20 Local Governments Authorities, for effective reform and management of parks and garages across the State.
Engr. Dairo who made this known during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding held at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said is a demonstration of its commitment to upgrading the facilities to befitting standards for the benefit of all stakeholders in the transport sector.
Stressing that the legal agreement with the Local Governments has further demonstrated that governance in the State is principle-based, process-based and also run on legality.
He explained that the signed agreement empowers PAGADA, as an Agency created by Law, to implement policies of government in respect of management of parks and garages established by the State as well as those established by the Local Government.
“By this MoU, the Local Governments have agreed to enter into an arrangement with PAGADA for the management and control of Parks and Garages under the management and control of the Local Government.
“This is a clear indication that the constitutional position of the Local Councils on parks and garages is fully recognised and respected by the State government in its plan aiming at creating viable transportation system, improving revenue collection process and assuring that no stakeholders is left out in achieving the set goal of making the parks and garages attractive and comfortable for all passengers within and around the State”, Dairo revealed.
He commended the Council Chairmen for their understanding and support, calling for cooperation from other stakeholders in transportation sector in ensuring smooth and successful implementation of the document and the State Transportation Master Plan in the State.
In his words, Chairman, PAGADA, Barrister Abeeb Ajayi, said the terms and condition under which the parks and garges would be managed have been expressly stated in the memorandum of understanding with sharing formular that would improve the revenue base of the Councils.
He stressed that PAGADA shall engage the services of efficient managers and operators for the control and management of the parks and garages which were hitherto under the control of the Local Governments including Parks Access Charge revenue collection within these parks and garages, with the exception of private parks and garages.
Speaking earlier, the ALGON Chairman in Ogun state, Honourable Bola Lawal, who spoke on behalf of other Council Chairmen, appreciated the State Government and its agencies for availing Local Government Authorities free inputs into the Memorandum of Understanding without any form of intimidation or coercion.
He assured the State Government of their unalloyed support in nurturing this novel idea into fruition by carrying out strategic monitoring performance by the managers within the parks and garages on regular basis.
