Osun APC rejects Park Management Bill, demands immediate withdrawal

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticized the recently passed Osun State Integrated Transport, Traffic and Park Management System Bill, stating it is unconstitutional and demanding its immediate withdrawal. The party expressed its stance in a statement released on Thursday, signed by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi.

The Osun Assembly voted to pass the bill on Wednesday, after reviewing and adopting a committee report and third reading. The proposed legislation aims to create an integrated system for managing commercial transport, traffic, motor parks, terminals, garages, and loading points. A key aspect of the bill is the introduction of a digital ticketing system to prevent multiple ticketing and increase transparency in transport revenue collection.

However, APC argues that the state does not have the constitutional authority to directly regulate motor parks, asserting that such duties are the responsibility of local government councils. The party contends, "Your Bill on Integrated Transport, Traffic and Park Management is a legislative harakiri, unenforceable and a recipe for crisis.

We urge the lawmakers to withdraw the legislation." APC also pointed to Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, alongside the Fourth Schedule, which lists local government councils as responsible for establishing, maintaining, and regulating motor parks. According to the party, the bill could conflict with constitutional provisions if it attempts to transfer direct control and revenue collection from the state government to local governments.

The opposition party called on the House of Assembly to focus on productive and legal laws, stating that the duty of the state House of Assembly is to make such legislation and avoid conflicts. The APC urged the governor to halt his administration's efforts to achieve motor park management through this legislation, emphasizing that such actions are unconstitutional.

The opposition party emphasized that where a state law conflicts with the Constitution, the Constitution's provisions should take precedence, urging lawmakers to reconsider the bill before it proceeds further through the assent process.