Inadequate parking space at CBN HQ, a menace to Abuja motorists

Some motorists in the FCT, have frowned at the indiscriminate parking of vehicles by workers of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Headquarters, along Tafawa Balewa Way in the Central Business Area.

According to the motorists, the parking of the vehicles along the road is making it difficult for other road users to navigate the area around the CBN, as well as posing a risk to others.

Mr John Okafor, a civil servant, whose office is very close to the CBN, complained that sometimes the CBN workers park so badly in a way that could cause an accident.

“Every time I pass there, I wonder if the VIO or Road Safety does not see these vehicles.

“They come around and they do not clamp any vehicle, even when it’s so obvious that most of the vehicles are not well parked,’’ he said.

Another motorist and a resident of FCT, Mr Adeniyi Olaiya urged the CBN to make alternative arrangement for its workers so that they would desist from parking their cars along the road.“Its baffling that the CBN do not have sufficient parking spaces for its workers. Because of them, the entire Abubakar Tafawa Balewa way, Central Area looks messy.

“There are ministries with as many staff as the CBN, but they have been able to manage their workers and their environment properly.

“In fact in my office, workers are encouraged to use staff bus and leave their cars at home. That way, we reduce the number of cars at the parking lots.

“But I guess CBN members of staff are too rich to take a common bus. Everyone, from cleaner to governor wants to drive to work and that’s the problem,’’ he said.

Mrs Amina Garuba, and Muhyideen Tarfa, both civil servants, whose offices are close to the CBN called on relevant authorities to prevail on the apex bank to do the needful.

According to them, the habit if not checked can cause accident.

Meanwhile, a CBN staff, who does not want his name mentioned told the our correspondent that the management was aware of the situation.

He said that the CBN had a three storied parking lot for its staff but was still insufficient to accommodate the number of cars owned by its workers.

The staff said that the CBN had an ongoing arrangement with the National Christian Centre to allow its members of staff use their premises to park their cars during working hours, yet it wasn’t sufficient.

“We have complained to the management and they said that they are working on another alternative, maybe rent a parking space in addition to the one at the National Christian Centre.

“Although, we don’t know how long it will take, but we are hopeful that something will be done, because it is a nightmare getting a parking space every morning.

“That is why some of us park on the road.’’ he staff said.