Lawal Aminat Abiodun (Siwes Student, DS Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic)
Concerns escalate among residents of Emmanuel Okonne Crescent, New London Estate, Baruwa inside, Ipaja Ayobo, Lagos, over the unexpected construction of a filling station in their neighborhood.
Anxiety looms as fears of potential risks to lives and properties arise with the completion of the filling station.
Allegedly, the owner, Alhaji Umar Muhammed, initially communicated plans to build a supermarket on the roadside land, but later revealed his true intention to construct a filling station.
Fred Adanyi, a resident, highlighted the community’s initial approval based on the initial information, only to discover Muhammed’s concealed plans, deepening suspicions when tanks were covertly buried on the site at night.
Law-abiding residents have reported the matter to authorities, urging the government to intervene, expressing unease about a filling station emerging in a residential area, particularly given the community’s past experience with a devastating gas explosion.
Abass, another resident, emphasized the urgency of action, recalling a previous gas explosion that resulted in fatalities and extensive property damage near the current construction site. He stressed the need to prevent a similar tragedy.
During a meeting with representatives from the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Muhammed admitted to informing some community members about the change in plans and expressed a willingness to apologize to the executive members of the community.
The LASEPA team clarified their non-involvement in project approvals and recommended engaging the Department of Petroleum Resources and Physical Planning for a more suitable resolution.
