Shop owners in Computer Village, Ikeja, on Tuesday appealed to the Lagos State Government to create designated car parks for its customers.
Some of the shop owners said that designated car parks would reduce the traffic snarl in the area and enhance their businesses.
The Lagos Computer Village is Nigeria’s online Technology Marketplace, where various technology and ICT needs such as laptops, desktop systems, brands and office solutions are sold.
The issue of parking space has continued to be a source of concern as people from different parts of the state go to the market for bulk purchase or private use.
Mr Mike Ezekwe, who sells inverters, said that the creation of parks would reduce illegal parking of cars by the road side.
“Many people who come to computer village are compelled to park by the road side due to the unavailability of parks and this is not good for safety of their vehicles.
“Parking of cars by the road side contributes to the traffic on Awolowo Road and its link routes. This affects businesses indirectly, therefore, if car parks are built it will reduce the menace,” he said.
Mr Chukwudi Nzekwu, a laptop dealer; said that creation of a car park would equally generate revenue for the government, in addition to creating a hitch free atmosphere.
“If the government creates car parks, it will be another source of income generation for the state, since the money will no longer go into personal purse.
“We appeal to the government to look into the issue as soon as possible because of its urgency,” he said.
A mobile phone dealer, Mr ChineduNwosu, in his view said that the parks would reduce the activities of touts in the area.
“With designated car parks, the activities of touts will be curbed and cars that are parked illegally can be towed away, while those in the parks are secured,’’ Nwosu said.
He said that street rascals would no longer be able to disrupt the duties of government towing van because of the money they had gotten from the person who parked illegally.
However, some of the young men who make a living on the street said building a car park would be a minus for them, as it would reduce the amount of money they make from parking in the area.
A young man, simply identified as Senzy, said he makes about N5,000 daily from parking vehicles in the Computer Village and appealed to the government to consider them in collecting ticket, when the car park is built.
