The Osun State House of Assembly has commenced moves to establish a legal framework for the management of motor parks and garages across the state.
The development followed the introduction of the Osun State Park Management System Bill during Monday’s plenary.
The bill was sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Works and Transport, Abiola Waheed, who said the proposed legislation was designed to bring greater order and accountability to the operations of motor parks.
According to Waheed, the bill would provide a structured system for managing the parks, improve revenue collection and reduce leakages in the state’s internally generated revenue.
He said the proposed law would also address violent activities and thuggery in motor parks.
“The bill would regulate revenue collection and block leakages in the state’s internally generated revenue. It will also prohibit thuggery and other violent activities in motor parks across the state if passed into law,” Waheed said.
During the debate, lawmakers expressed support for the proposal, saying it could strengthen accountability in motor park operations and increase government revenue.
They also said the proposed system would improve safety for drivers and passengers while protecting them from alleged extortion.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, said the proposed legislation could deliver several benefits to the state.
“With all these submissions, a series of benefits will be derived from the passage of the bill,” Egbedun said.
The bill subsequently passed its second reading.
The move comes shortly after Governor Ademola Adeleke directed the immediate withdrawal of rival groups from motor parks following a clash linked to a dispute over the control of a park.
The governor had also ordered security agencies to restore peace in the affected areas and directed the police to arrest those allegedly responsible for the killing of the Ajagungbade Emir.
A statement by Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, quoted the governor as directing the Commissioner of Police to ensure that all those involved were brought to justice.
“Law and order must be maintained. There will be no sacred cows as all culprits will be brought to book,” Adeleke said.
Adeleke also announced plans to reintroduce the Park Management System as part of efforts to prevent further disputes and violence in motor parks.
He said an Executive Order would be issued to establish the management structure pending the legislative process.
“We are reintroducing the Park Management System. I will soon issue an executive order to give effect to the new management system to manage parks and garages across the state,” the governor said.
The proposed bill is expected to provide a statutory framework for the management of motor parks and garages, including revenue collection, ticketing, safety and the regulation of activities at the facilities.
