Date: 2014-10-15

Residents of Ilorin are currently alarmed by the indiscriminate siting of filling stations in some strategic residential locations densely populated within the capital city. Their fear may not be unconnected with the way and manner the stations are being sited as many of the proprietors have thrown caution and due process to the wind. Hardly one visits a major area in Ilorin today without noticing a filling station springing up- no thanks to regulatory body for emergency approval. The menace is not restricted to major area in the metropolis, a visit to interior parts of the city also revealed the same picture with uncertainty of foreboding incidence of fire outbreak if drastic steps are not taken to curtail it. A first time visitor to the city would mistake some of the petrol stations for new companies or shopping malls because of their neatly carved architectural designs. The visitor's eyes may still be caught in some disbelief until a closer look was given to them. Findings showed that some of the new petrol stations were either built close to existing residential houses or offices like banks and so on without being mindful of what becomes of the neighbours in any case of unforeseen circumstances. What is currently generating fear may not be unconnected with an alleged refusal to abide by lay down procedure for the construction of petrol stations by proprietors. A development akin to that was observed by this medium in Okelele, Dada junction, Ilorin where a filling station built close to residential houses had started operation while some residents are unhappy with impending uncertainty that lies ahead. Similarly, a new petrol station, though yet to be named, has been completed around Muritala area in Ilorin. The station painted white, sandwiched between FCMB bank and Slot has generated anxiety among residents and shop owners over the breach of law regulating the siting and construction of filling stations. Apart from predictable fire outbreak that could occur at the station with severe damages to residential houses around and properties, because the commodity, especially petrol, to be sold, is highly inflammable, there is high tendency of traffic snarl in the affected areas. This is due to the fact that some of the filling stations are built close to the roadside, and this is likely to undermine the government efforts at checking the trend of increasing vehicular movement on the roads, which has undoubtedly over-stretched road management in some major strategic locations in the state capital of Ilorin. A respondent, Mr Jimoh Rasak, who commented on the development blamed government and the agency responsible for the siting of petrol stations for not doing enough to regulate the construction of filling station. He said it was appalling that in spite of enabling law guiding construction of petrol stations in place, some of the founders are still putting up structures contrary to the original building design approved for them. He said if one station caught fire, the chances of stations and buildings around them escaping the disaster would be impossible. Rasak opined that if urgent steps were not taken to stem the tide, there was possibility of the city becoming congested soonest. He urged the government and relevant agencies to be proactive in the implementation of law with utmost sincerity. Speaking with City Rove yesterday, the Operation Controller, Kwara State office of Department of Petroleum Resources, Engr Amos Jokodola, said there was nothing wrong with siting of petrol stations in as much as they get the approval of the state Town Planning Development Authority. Jokodola added that such stations must not also be built within the markets because of the danger they were likely to pose to the people. The DPR boss said the recent directive from the headquarters of the department was that there should not be any hindrance to economic advancement in the country. Efforts to reach the Executive Secretary, State Town Planning Development Authority, Mr Raheem Adeoti failed as his mobile handset phone was switched off.