"No Parking, No Finance!" for Homebuyers in SA

The availability of parking is rarely a main concern for homebuyers, but it is becoming an increasingly important factor in property values, explains Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa…

Despite the infrastructure developments to improve South Africa’s transport system during the build up to the Soccer World Cup event, our public transport system is not yet at the level of development which would see most city dwellers give up their vehicles. A case in point is the recent stranding of thousands of people who participated in Car Free Day on 20 October due to a technical problem with the Gautrain.  

As such, the majority of commuters must, by necessity, have their own vehicles. And in most households both partners are breadwinners which means the family often has two cars. The result is an estimated 9-million cars on our roads, growing by 50 000 each month as the population, and particularly the middle class, continues to grow. All these cars must be parked somewhere.

"In cities around the world, parking is a major issue due to the rapid development within CBDs, the already limited space and the cost of providing parking in areas where land values are high,"  comments Goslett.  "But even in residential developments, space constraints and land costs have resulted in many sectional title schemes relying on street and public open space parking to address the issue."

Goslett explains that in line with the theory of supply and demand, constrained supply and raising demand results in higher prices. "Adequate parking arrangements definitely add value to a property, but its independent, intrinsic value is also increasing as demand increases. Hence, the importance of parking is also affecting issues such as insurance and property finance."

Sufficient and suitable parking at any property, whether residential of commercial, will affect the value of the property, the use of the property as well as the rental that can be charged.

"Increasingly, buyers are considering the lack of a garage on a property, or insufficient parking bays for the number of occupants in a sectional title unit, as a drawback. They recognise the inconvenience of parking situated some distance from the house or unit, the increased theft risk for a vehicle not locked up in a garage as well as the possibility of weather damage if a vehicle is parked in the open," says Goslett.   

The increase in the intrinsic value of parking is also evident from the findings of a recent global CBD parking rate survey, which revealed that London - at R7114 per month - is the most expensive place in the world to park a car.  Other cities in the survey’s top ten list of most expensive places to park include Hong Kong, Sydney, Perth, Oslo, Amsterdam, Vienna, Athens and Copenhagen.

"In South Africa, parking is also becoming an increasingly sought-after commodity. Parking rates in South African cities range from around R500 per month in Johannesburg’s CBD to more than R1000 per month in Cape Town’s CBD," says Goslett. "A parking bay in Johannesburg’s CBD will cost around R50 000 and, even in the south of Johannesburg, a parking bay in a sectional title scheme can fetch up to R80 000.

In Clifton, Cape Town, the price goes up to as much as R500 000 for a single parking bay. In fact, last year, a small garage in Clifton was sold for a record price of R2-million.

"Some sectional title owners have sold or ceded their parking bays in light of the high prices achievable, but no longer having a parking bay will definitely negatively affect the value of the unit in the long term."

The importance of parking has also extended beyond these factors to impact the homeowner’s insurance and even the ability to obtain finance for a property purchase.

"The latest SAPS crime statistics show that in the 2009/2010 reporting period, 71 776 vehicles were stolen – that’s an average of almost 6000 vehicles a month. Understandably, insurance companies will apply a higher rating to an insurance policy for a vehicle which is not parked in a locked garage and even more so if the vehicle is parked outside due to a lack of parking on the property," notes Goslett.

"In addition, two of the major banks in South Africa recently announced that finance will no longer be granted on sectional title units without on-site parking. This shows that the banks have also recognised the growing importance of parking in determining the value of a property."

Homebuyers will do well to carefully consider the availability and suitability of the parking offered by a property.

"When viewing a property, assess the existing parking facilities and the possibility of extending these. Is there adequate protected parking for the family’s vehicles? Is there sufficient parking for visitors? Parking may not be at the top of a buyer’s most important criteria, but it can make a significant difference to the long-term value of the property," concludes Goslett.  

Credit: South African News

July 2011

“Differential Costs of Garages & Parking Bays” What you need to know

The cost of parking is an important consideration when buying in a town or resort in South Africa, particularly if you have a number of cars.

Recent survey conducted shows that a garage or private parking space isn’t always included in the price when you buy a new apartment or town-house in South Africa, although secure parking may be available at an additional cost, possibly in an underground garage. Modern detached homes usually have a garage or a basement that can be used as a garage. Smaller homes normally have a single garage, while larger properties may have garaging for up to four cars. A lock-up garage is important in areas with a high incidence of car theft and theft from cars (e.g. most cities), and is also useful to protect your car from climatic extremes – particularly too much sun and heat.

Without a private garage or parking space, parking can be a nightmare (and dangerous), particularly in cities and during the summer in busy resorts or developments. Free on-street parking can be difficult or impossible to find in cities and large towns, and in any case may be inadvisable for anything but a wreck. If you’re buying in a large development, note that the nearest parking area may be some distance from your home. This may be an important factor, particularly if you aren’t up to carrying heavy shopping hundreds of metres and possibly up several flights of stairs.

It’s usually cheaper to rent a parking bay than a garage, but even these can be expensive: in outlying areas of Cape Town, for example, the price of a parking bay is between R38,000 (€3,900) and R45,000 (€4,600); and in the City Bowl or the fashionable central area of Long Street, a bay can cost between R70,000 (€7,250) and R100,000 (€10,300). The cost is slightly higher in Downtown Johannesburg but in Sandton City, it is about thrice the value.  

The cost of a garage or parking space isn’t always recouped when selling, although it makes a property more attractive and may clinch a sale. Parking isn’t usually a problem when buying an old home in a rural area, although there may not be a purpose-built garage.

Credit: V-Park Staff on Holiday in SA

28 July 2011

“Differential Costs of Garages & Parking Bays” What you need to know

The cost of parking is an important consideration when buying in a town or resort in South Africa, particularly if you have a number of cars.

Recent survey conducted shows that a garage or private parking space isn’t always included in the price when you buy a new apartment or town-house in South Africa, although secure parking may be available at an additional cost, possibly in an underground garage. Modern detached homes usually have a garage or a basement that can be used as a garage. Smaller homes normally have a single garage, while larger properties may have garaging for up to four cars. A lock-up garage is important in areas with a high incidence of car theft and theft from cars (e.g. most cities), and is also useful to protect your car from climatic extremes – particularly too much sun and heat.

Without a private garage or parking space, parking can be a nightmare (and dangerous), particularly in cities and during the summer in busy resorts or developments. Free on-street parking can be difficult or impossible to find in cities and large towns, and in any case may be inadvisable for anything but a wreck. If you’re buying in a large development, note that the nearest parking area may be some distance from your home. This may be an important factor, particularly if you aren’t up to carrying heavy shopping hundreds of metres and possibly up several flights of stairs.

It’s usually cheaper to rent a parking bay than a garage, but even these can be expensive: in outlying areas of Cape Town, for example, the price of a parking bay is between R38,000 (€3,900) and R45,000 (€4,600); and in the City Bowl or the fashionable central area of Long Street, a bay can cost between R70,000 (€7,250) and R100,000 (€10,300). The cost is slightly higher in Downtown Johannesburg but in Sandton City, it is about thrice the value.  

The cost of a garage or parking space isn’t always recouped when selling, although it makes a property more attractive and may clinch a sale. Parking isn’t usually a problem when buying an old home in a rural area, although there may not be a purpose-built garage.

Credit: V-Park Staff on Holiday in SA

28 July 2011

Could Tips Saves You Some Parking Comfort? "Arguably Not In SA"

So friendly in fact that when you park your car on a street, or in a parking lot – well, just about anywhere really – you’ll find a friendly face beaming at you as you pull into the parking space, twisting and turning your steering wheel to the whistles and directional hand signals of the friendly face. Unfortunately, in South Africa, you are often expected to pay for parking anywhere you go. This is to supposedly secure your vehicle and content, though I am unsure of that.

You get out of your car and the friendly face will beam even more widely, revealing a (frequently) toothless grin (especially if you’re in Cape Town, but more on that later) and you will be greeted by a gushing:

 “Hello” and a wave of the hand.

Off you go, to do your shopping, watch your movie or drink your coffee and on your return, the same friendly face will be there, saying “Goodbye” and watching you intently as you get into your car.   You’ll even get some whistling and hand signals to help you navigate your way out of your parking space [I find these hand signals particularly useful when I’ve reversed into the parking space and all I’m now doing is pulling straight out in a forward direction.

What could be friendlier than that?

But, it’s not all as straight-forward as it seems.

These are South Africa’s “Car guards” – an employment initiative introduced years ago in an effort to lower unemployment.  Now, car guards are everywhere and their chief job is to “look after your car for you”.  This means making sure that nobody crashes into your car, breaks into or damages your car or worse still – steals your car.

The question of course remains as to what a car guard will actually do when it comes to the crunch – would they put themselves in the line of fire to protect your car?  The jury’s still out on this one.  Some car guards have official uniforms, some have fluorescent bibs and some….well, let’s just say they could be any man off the street.

In return for their watchful eyes, they expect a tip of between R2 – R5.  For most of us, that’s not too much.  The annoyance starts to mount though when you’ve only been out of your car for a few minutes or [my personal favourite], the car guard doesn’t actually know which car is yours and is just saying “Hello” to you as you walk past on the off-chance that he’s guessed correctly. But, if you’re visiting South Africa, humour the poor fellows and give them a tip.  Just don’t expect them to actually prevent anything happening to your car.

Credit: V-Park Staff on Holiday in SA

July 2011

Parking Versus Post Who Wins in Uganda?

Kampala — Multiplex Uganda, the managers of street parking in Kampala has dragged Posta Uganda, the providers of postal services to court over failure to pay a debt of Ushs 629 million (USD 241,923).
Multiplex claims Posta pulled off the stunt by failing to pay a debt that accrued from the breach of contract. Multiplex entered into a contract with Posta to clean and paint the exterior wall of Posta building and a notice of award of contract was displayed in 2007.

The two parties further executed general conditions of contract for procurement works in which Posta undertook to pay Multiplex within 30 days of the date of each certificate and interest upon late payment of the sum at commercial rate of borrowing from the date on which payment should have been made up to the date of the last payment.

In 2008, Multiplex completed the work and sent first certificate of Ushs 155 million (US $ 59615) but Posta cleared only Ushs 100 million (US $ 38461) leaving a balance that has not been cleared to this date the balance has not been cleared.

Multiplex continued to issue more certificates of Ushs 69 (US $ 2653) and 170 (US $ 65384) million but were never paid and no advance on them was made.

"We have since made several demands for the outstanding payment to no avail" reads the plaint lodged in the High Court's commercial division.



As a result of failure to pay, Multiplex contends that it has suffered and continues to suffer losses which it wants Posta to cover by way of general damages and default amount.

As per the terms and conditions of the contract, the money gained interest to the sum of Ushs 629 million. It went ahead to serve a statutory notice of intention to sue with no reaction from Posta.

On top of refunding Ushs 629 million, Multiplex demands Posta to pay interest on the money quoted as calculated from the time of completion of the works.

Multiplex also seeks the refund of money that it will spend on prosecuting Posta in court.
Commercial court's Justice Madramac is expected to preside over the case after the break off very soon.





Credit: V-Park's Team
25 July 2011

Minister Allays Fear Over Bombing of Lagos Airport As A Result of Underground Car Park Reopening Orders Made

Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Odua, has dismissed fears that the nation's busiest airport, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos would be bombed by the Muslim religious sect, Boko Haram or any other person or persons.

The fear was heightened when she ordered the reopening of the 700-car capacity abandoned underground parking lot at the basement of the international terminal of the airport as users of the facility say the park would pose security threat, which was the main reason why it was closed during the late General Sani Abacha regime.

But the Minister's decision to reopen the park was informed by the report that there is inadequate car park at the international wing of the airport as there is growing passengers' movement and therefore increased movement of vehicles and attendant request for more parking spaces.

But ever since the Minister ordered that the parking lot, which has been out of use since 1997, be reopened to ease parking space constraints as well as serve as a revenue generating avenue for government, fears have been expressed in some quarters that the place could become a safe haven for bombers to plant their explosive devices.

Odua explained that the matter was well thought out before she gave the directive for its reopening, stressing that security of lives, cars and the entire building was considered before she directed the revamping of the park.

The Minister explained that before the park would be reopened to the public for use, it has to be fully rehabilitated, with the installation of Close Circuit Cameras (CCTV) as part of the security measures that would be employed to secure the premises.

She added that bomb and explosive detectors as well as scanning machines would be stationed at all entrances and gates to screen all vehicles going in and out of the underground parks.
The Minister also stated that it is not only the parking lot that would be secured, saying the entire airports across the country would equally be fully equipped with security gadgets to take care of security of lives and property.

Odua said that the decision to rehabilitate the abandoned park was in line with her vision to encourage the parastatals under her Ministry to embrace innovative ways of management, noting that it would help boost their internally generated revenue (IGR).

Credit: Thisday

July 2011

Motorists enjoy free parking as Multiplex workers strike

The wave of strikes continues. And the latest to join are employees of Multiplex (U) Limited, a company tendered to manage street parking in Kampala, who laid down their tools yesterday protesting low pay and poor welfare.

Multiplex managers yesterday met to discuss the occurrence and delegate a team to investigate it. Many motorists yesterday enjoyed rare free parking on the streets.

“We have launched an investigation to establish the cause and the perpetrators of the strike. We have met the field workers and agreed to consider addressing their complaints as they themselves work towards helping the company improve its revenue targets,” said Mr Moses Bbosa, Multiplex executive director, during after meeting the employees.

Field workers who collect revenue from street parking claim they are paid peanuts against the backdrop of soaring cost of living. They said they earn Shs5,000 daily and accused their employer of failing to remit their NSSF contributions.
But Mr Bbosa said the payments to the employees are based on the income from the revenue from street parking.

“We have many temporary workers with simple letters of engagement. They are mainly youths who came for part-time employment and they did not declare that willingness to work on permanent terms,” he said.

He said though the strike has been called off, management will continue to dialogue with workers to chart a way forward.

Credit: Uganda Daily Monitor

14/07/2011

Taxi Drivers Caused Chaos in Uganda Due To High Parking Fees

Ugandan taxi drivers kept their cars off the streets on Monday to protest high parking fees, paralysing transport in the capital (KAMPALA) and adding to a rash of strikes and protests in the east African nation.

Stranded commuters were forced to hop on motorcycle taxis, which quickly hiked their fares amid crushing demand, while tens of thousands of others walked miles to work in the capital Kampala.

The taxi drivers were protesting exorbitant parking fees charged by Utoda, a government-contracted private company that manages the city's transport system, said leaders of the drivers' association.

We have decided to put down our tools, which are our vehicles, for two days so that Utoda and the NRM (ruling party) can stop this thuggery and extortion that we're subjected to every day," Sam Semuwemba, a taxi driver participating in the strike, told Reuters.

Drivers say Utoda charges them about 160,000 shillings ($60) a month for use of taxi parks and that only a tiny fraction of that is remitted to the government. The rest is never accounted for, say drivers.

When someone fails to pay that money they confiscate your vehicle, harass or detain you," said another driver, Henry Mutebi.

Police arrested an undetermined number of "disruptive" taxi drivers who had pressured colleagues into joining the protest after they declined to do so, said police spokeswoman Judith Nabakoba.

We told them if you're striking, you can't stop someone else who wants to continue working because that's his right. So we arrested some of the drivers who were trying to be disruptive," she said.

Anger over soaring food and fuel prices sparked opposition-led demonstrations across the country in April and May, provoking a government crackdown in which nine people were killed and hundreds others injured.

Last week, traders in Kampala shut their shops for two days to protest the depreciation of the shilling against the dollar, which they say has eroded their profit margins.

Credit: Reuters

11/07/ 2011

No More Diplomatic Immunity for Breaking Parking Rules Says UK

Two foreign embassies have paid more than £40,000 in outstanding fines handed out for illegal parking in central London.

Diplomats from Kazakhstan ran up a bill of £37,160 for 627 tickets, while the Nigerian Embassy cleared its £3,450 bill for 78 offences last year.

Westminster Council said it will write to embassies who have not paid.

China, Turkey, Afghanistan, the UAE, Cyprus, France, the US and Germany are among the top 10 fine dodgers, it said.

Kazakhstan Embassy had the maximum number of unpaid parking fines, the authority said.

Lee Rowley, Westminster Council's cabinet member for parking, said: "If you inconvenience other drivers by parking incorrectly in Westminster then you'll get a parking ticket and you should have to pay, regardless of who you are or your job title.

"Citing 'diplomatic immunity' as an excuse for not paying tickets is clearly unacceptable."

The Conservative-run council said it was owed £1,099,604 in outstanding fines, that it had handed out since 2007.

Credit: BBC News

13/07/2011

Crying Heaven resulted into Traffic Gridlock in most part of Nigeria

IT was like a replay of the Great Flood during the time of the biblical Noah in some states in the country, especially Lagos, Ogun and Oyo, on Sunday, as long hours of ceaseless rain caused havoc and resulted in casualties, as well as huge material losses.

As early as 7.00a.m, the downpour forced residents of Lagos to remain indoors for most part of the day, while Christians could not attend Sunday services in the affected states, just as many motorists could not leave their respective homes. It was still raining after 7.00 p.m  on Sunday.

Travellers were stranded as the rain disrupted flight operations for hours and made departure and landing difficult for aircraft even as the runway of the Lagos airport was also flooded.

Air traffic controllers described the rain as the heaviest in recent times, adding that airplanes were diverted to other airports until the runaway was free of flood.
There were heavy flooding in parts of Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Obalende, Orile Iganmu, Surulere, Aguda, Idi Araba, Ikorodu road, Ajegunle and Maryland.

A similar downpour led to serious flooding that wreaked havoc in many other places. The state government, in a bid to reduce the adverse effect often experienced by Lagos citizen as a result of the asperity of the rains, had lately taken  steps, including excavation of blocked drainage channels, expansion of existing ones and creation of new ones to check the menace.

Consequently, the Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has directed workers, businessmen and children in public schools to stay at home today, to enable  the state government  to assess the impact of the flood on property and social infrastructure across the state.

As a pre-emptive measure, the government also sent an alert to residents of places highly prone to flooding.

Houses worth millions of naira were also destroyed in Bissaula and Angwan Yadi villages in Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The rain wreaked havoc in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, leaving many buildings, including religious centres submerged. It took the efforts of men of the state fire service to prevent some residents of the flooded areas from being washed away.

Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also recorded another flood, few days after the one that destroyed properties, bridges and roads. A petrol station also collapsed in the torrential rain in the city.

A driver of a Starlet taxi car, while trying to avoid a flooded portion at Bode area of Ibadan, was washed off by the flood. The driver could not be seen, when the car was stopped around Soka area of the metropolis.

Meanwhile, the popular Secretariat-University of Ibadan and the Iwo Road under bridge, were flooded as a result of the rain.

The stream at the Awolowo Junction in the state capital over-flowed its bank, thereby hindering free flow of traffic. As a result, most of the commercial vehicle operators and motorists, especially those coming from churches, had to look for alternative routes.

The traffic situation on the two roads left many commuters stranded while several others resorted to trekking with many vehicles developing  faults.

The stream has become a menace to road users especially when it rains.

In Abeokuta, the rain, which stopped overnight on Saturday, again started at about 12.45p.m on Sunday and was still raining, at the time of filing this report.

Most areas affected by the flood were Isale-Oja Kuto, Ijaye, Olorunsogo, Abiola Way, Amolaso, and Isale-Igbein.

At Ijaye area, a fish cold-room was filled with water, destroying goods worth millions of naira, while a bridge linking Isale Oja Kuto and Nawa-ur-deen junction was also washed away by the flood.

Flood also affected St. Mary’s Anglican Church, as musical instruments and other property of the church were destroyed. The Sunday service could not be held due to the havoc caused by the downpour.

In areas like Olorunsogo and Abiola Way, some houses and cars were submerged, as some residents fled to save their lives.

In Iperu and Ikenne Remo visited by the Nigerian Tribune, many drainage channels were blocked with refuse dumped by residents, despite various warnings by both the state and local governments against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drainage.

A member of the state House of Assembly in Taraba, Honourable Ishaku Audu, after visiting the affected areas, expressed shock at the extent of the havoc caused by the flood.

He said the situation had led to the movement of people out of their houses to schools and church premises across some villages, adding that school children were no longer attending schools. He, however, expressed gratitude to God that there was no loss of life.

Credit: Nigerian Tribune

11/07/2011

Kenya Airport Authority finally publishes tenders for new JKIA terminal

The long-awaited tender documents for a brand new terminal building at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) have been published, opening the door for international bidding to go underway.

The stand-alone new facility, which is expected to be connected to the existing terminal buildings by bus service, will, when ready, offer up to 50 check-in counters, 8 air bridges for aircraft to dock – including meeting the specifications to serve the giant A 380 – and a further up to 45 aircraft parking stands on the linked apron space, also due to be constructed alongside the terminal, plus links to existing and new taxiways and an additional runway.

The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was officially launched in 1978, witnessed by this correspondent, and emerged from the former Embakasi Airport, now the headquarters of Kenya Airways, which at the time was bursting at the seams and where the story goes that it was impossible to fall down considering the mass of human beings in the arrival and departure hall.

When opened, JKIA was to cater to a maximum of 2.5 million passengers, now exceeded by more than twice as many, as statistics of 2010 speak of over 6.2 million passengers being herded through overcrowded facilities. The country’s tourism industry had highlighted the constraints of JKIA and of Moi International Airport in Mombasa as key elements in NOT allowing the country to reach its full potential of visitors while airlines have often voiced their equal concern over having just one runway at both airports, leading to full closures following an incident on the runway, as has happened on several occasions in the past.

More and more airlines, which want to fly to the region’s most important hub airport, find themselves restrained by lack of slots during peak hours, thus limiting traffic, passenger, and cargo shipment growth and delaying Nairobi’s bid to further cement its superiority in aviation statistics across the region.

The past tenure of the Kenya Airports Authority's (KAA) Chief Executive was riddled with allegations and caused immense delays in implementing the JKIA development master plan, but under the new regime these constraining circumstances seem to have been overcome and finally some movement is now visible. Current works on the airport are also ongoing at a reportedly increased pace, according to some airline sources from Nairobi, but this has in the past been seen as cycles, at times accelerating and at times slowing down again. 


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Credit: Classified
27 June 2011

Area Boys Parking Extortion in Lagos, Nigeria

The notorious Area Boys (it translates loosely to human meters for car parks management). The use of area boys in most car parks around Lagos is now growing and residents and visitors in major parts of the city are requesting the authorities for tough and extensive enforcement to eliminate this illegal practise. Most car park owners including some local government authorities in Lagos employ the services of the so called area boys to collect parking revenues from motorists that utilises parking facilities at their car parks. The car park owners cannot afford high cost of parking equipment installation coupled with epileptic power supply in Nigeria. The Car Parks Owners believe employing the services of the area boys is the cheapest alternatives to high cost of equipment and having to have standby electric generators to provide electricity for the parking equipment, coupled with paying annual maintenance costs. During our recent checks and investigations, we found out that: Motorists are obviously upset with the increasingly rampant extortion at public places and are worried about the safety of their vehicles if they do not pay these unscrupulous people.

The Area Boys are seen all over the places in the capital city, at the major shopping areas such as Tinubu Square, Broad Streets, Lagos Island, Obalende, Falomo, Surulere, Ojuelegba, IKeja Airport Road, parts of VI and at most popular eating places.

They operate both during the day and at night, depending on the area, demanding a fee from motorists who park their vehicles around the shopping areas and eating places. Our team conducted random checks at several public places in the city and discovered that the area boys were openly collecting parking charges from motorists even on public roads.

The checks show that the area boys menace is widespread in the city, especially at areas such as mentioned above and other popular public places. Most of the area boys station themselves at the public parking bays after office hours and solicit money from the motorists. Some say they act on behalf of their local government authorities.

Their charges vary from place to place, the lowest being N200 ($1.25) and the highest N500 ($3.15).

Our team had several personal encounters with several area boys who appeared to be uncompromising with their demands.

At one such encounter at Marina, the area boys demanded N200 for 30mins for parking along a backlane which is not even a legal parking area. Asked why the team should pay for parking at a public lane, he said that everyone had to pay them for parking in the area and there was no exception.

The area boys walked away after our team insisted on refusing to pay him and inform them we are conducting some surveys and investigations. As he moved on, he said, "It's up to you, you can pay if you wish to," obviously a veiled threat that the team's vehicle might not be safe.

The area boys then walked away and continued collecting money from other motorists. A motorist who identified himself only as Mr. Ademola said that he was forced to pay to the area boys as he feared that his car would be scratched or damaged if he did not pay them.

Mr. Ademola said that he had some bad experiences with the area boys who deliberately scratched his vehicle after he refused to pay them. "I rather pay them the N200 or N500 than having my car damaged," He told us when met we at the entrance of First Bank, Marina Lagos.

A resident named undisclosed from Ikorodu (which is another local government area of Lagos State), who works in Marina said that the area boys had punctured his car tyres after he refused to pay them. According to him, there are about 10 area boys operating around the area and they go around collecting parking fees during lunch hours. He said the area boys were mostly school drop outs, drug addicts and unemployed persons trying to extort cash from motorists who were worried about the safety of their vehicles.

Dele, who works at Mr Biggs (eatery place) in Mr Biggs around Adeniran Ogunsanya area of Surulere local government, said some of the area boys were well attired and neat. He had often seen them splitting their collections before going for tea and lunch breaks. "They act like executives as they do not show up under the heat of the sun or rain," he said.

Another motorist from Adeniran Ogunsaya area said he was furious that these people were operating openly during the day at public car parks. He said they even collected money for vehicles parked by acting as human meters in parking lots.

Upon our visits to Lagos Island and Surulere Local Government offices, no one was available to speak to us on the matter.

We gathered from an inside source upon contacting the Police Authority in Lagos State that The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Yakubu Alkali, have promised another set of  enforcement raids against the area boys.

According to information obtained, last year, the police rounded up 412 suspects in Lagos State, it nabbed 242 of them and about 87 were eventually jailed after been charged to court under National Road Transport Act of 1990.

The police urged the public to cooperate with the authorities by abstaining from paying this so called area boys. He also emphasised that local government authorities and car park owners should award car park management contracts to professional companies who can provide a better service instead of using the services of area boys.

He said that as the authorities took tough action to get rid of the area boys, the motorists must co-operate and play their part by not giving in to their demands. The police authority in Lagos State also commends Lagos State Governor, His Excellency Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, (SAN) for giving them the instruments and the backing in tackling crimes in the State which is why it’s the safest in the country.

 

 

 

Credit: V-Park’s Team (July 2011)

Subject to Copyright

"Is this the way forward" for African Nations?

A body worn video device is a camera that staff can attach to their clothing. Cameras should be capable of recording at a high quality – high enough to be used as evidence. Body worn video originated in the United Kingdom, is growing in the United States and New Zealand and is now being adopted by SPS in Cape Town. 

Street Parking Solutions (SPS), Cape Town, has introduced fifteen body worn video devices to be worn by its parking marshals. Zunade Loghdey, manager of SPS, researched many surveillance methods before settling on a body worn video solution.

The cameras bought by SPS are portable and record audio as well as video. This means that footage follows an incident.

Loghdey, manager of SPS, employs 200 parking marshals who operate in the Central Business District of Cape Town. Each marshal manages fifteen parking spaces, so they encounter many customers during their day. Loghdey bought fifteen cameras from Reveal Media, a leading UK body worn video supplier. One of the reasons he bought the body worn cameras was to monitor staff’s behaviour and progress. He also bought them because they act as a deterrent to angry motorists; Loghdey’s staff can use the cameras to record any abuse they receive. 

Loghdey also bought a data management Kiosk from Reveal Media. The CARMA KIOSK is loaded with a programme, CARMA, which automatically manages material. The software is easy to use, secure, and saves time in back office organisation.

Loghdey researched many methods of surveillance before choosing to buy from Reveal Media. He chose this company because their cameras are easy to use and the units are self contained within a hardy leather case. 

A serious factor in Loghdey’s decision to buy this particular body worn camera, the CARMACAM RS2, was the presence of a screen on the front of the camera. It shows the public what the camera lens sees or records. The “screen shown to motorists or perpetrators is a great deterrent,” said Loghdey. “Our municipal Police absolutely loved it.” He noted they were particularly pleased with the cameras’ light weight and the evidence monitoring software that comes with the Kiosk. 

Loghdey monitored motorists’ reactions to parking marshals and the cameras’ effect on how professionally and effectively marshals worked. “There has a 100% improvement on all fronts.” Loghdey said after only using the cameras for two weeks. “I believe strongly that these cameras will be a major boost all round to my business going forward.”

Reveal Media, the UK-based company that supplied the cameras says, “We are delighted that Street Parking Services has already seen the enormous benefits that body worn video systems can bring to lone worker safety and productivity.”


Nigeria which was as at 2007 the safest place in Africa is currently in 4th place following South Africa in terms of security and safety, effort are now been geared up due to recent bombings in keys areas of the country, the policy makers are now in discussion on how to introduce in addition to other safety measures in place coupled with implementation of video surveillance in strategic places and allow the use of body camera to be given to security and parking operatives in helping combating crimes. This they say will help in fighting crimes and protects lives and acts as deterrent to the religious activists. 


Egypt and Ghana have since beef up their security and safety measures in reducing crimes in their various cities and they share both the first and second place respectively. The least African Countries in terms of security and safety are Sudan and Somalia.












Credit: Classified