NASS car park, and National Assessment.

National Assembly as a symbol for National Assessment.

I was at the grounds of the NASS in the Three Arm Zone of the Central Area of Abuja last week. Driving to the place was a bit of an effort because of the series of hold ups on the way along Shehu  Shagari way.

Added to that is the clusters of people standing along the way looking for  vehicles to convey them into the National Assembly grounds.

 Not good enough. A NASS transport shuttle service is necessary.

There ought to have been a proper means of transportation,  devoted exclusively to ferrying people from the NASS car park to a place like the Federal secretariat car park.

This does not have to be free - for sustainability. But it is necessary. It is wrong for people that want to get to the NASS to be stranded , so to say,  on the road. It is not dignifying for both would be visitor as well as the NASS . Something should be done on this. Taxis can be registered and painted in unique colors to show that they service the National Assembly.

A transport service from the car park to, say, the Federal secretariat car park nearby is vital. Anyone can then find his way from there into the city. This should be looked into by the relevant authority.

Next is the car park for the public.  I was thoroughly embarrassed at the state of the park.

Imagine  that the car Park of the National Assembly of the largest Black Nation on earth was as rough as a village square!. It was not tarred, no interlocking stone, no garden around it, no park chairs for people to sit down and rest, and no attention of any sort to beauty. Perhaps that is asking too much since there is even no evidence of attention for comfort.

The place was an eyesore of dusty red earth in this dry season. Rainy season will be worse because the red earth is of course clay. One can imagine what will happen to visitors' shoes and vehicles.

Is it that there is no money to make the car park at NASS what it should be? A welcoming first contact point of our hallowed NASS? This is a place most likely to be visited by foreigners of different hues: Investors,  Researchers,  Tourists, and also potential migrants. So what impression are they to have of us? What? That we are too poor to have a nice car park at our NASS, or that we do not have the self respect and appreciation of beauty to make the place welcoming?

This is a wake up call to all those concerned to please do the needful and make that place what it should be: a welcoming arena that will speak of us seriousness as a people and the respect that we accord to the institution of Democracy and it's organs.

Minimum:
1. Convert the whole place to a garden  park that happens to function as a car park for the NASS.

2. The car park should be tarred, or better, should have interlocking stones flooring.  And car spaces delineated clearly to symbolize our tidiness of mind as a Nation.

3. Flowers and ornamental trees should be planted around the whole place. This will speak of our love for beauty, and to showcase the tropical paradise that God has given us in Nigeria where all kinds of beautiful flowers grow naturally. We only need to manage them. The Minister of Works can help with this through his Ministry , drawing from his work in beautifying Lagos.

4. Electricity must be connected to the car park,  as well as water supply that is fail proof. We may have to have a dedicated borehole for the car park only. As happens in many ofher parks, this will even allow attendants to earn some money by washing the cars while visitors carry out their mission. These two facilities (power and water) are indispensable for any public space as important as the NASS.

5. Minster of Science and technology should explore the possibility of putting free wifi  there as soon as possible. It is not right that there is no place where one can browse freely around the Three Arm Zone. The car park can be the place to start as more people have access to the place.

6. A gatehouse should be there where the park attendant and Security can escape from the elements if it becomes necessary. It is not right that heavy rainfall for instance, should mean  that the place will be unattended.

7. The approach to the NASS, as from the junction at Shehu Shagari  way leading to the NASS should be a pleasing view of tropical ornamental trees, and flowers to usher people into the close precincts of the NASS.

CONCLUSION
The above are the minimum steps to take to make the NASS car park reflect our greatness as  a Nation, and the respect we have for the Institution as well as the Patriots in the National Assembly .