Ibadan: Filling Station Defies Oyo Govt’s Order, Continues Construction

Despite the directive of the Oyo state government ordering the cessation of the construction of facility intended for use as petrol/diesel retail outlet, construction works are ongoing at the filling station in Ibadan, the state capital.

The filling station, which is under construction at Apata axis of Ibadan is situated very close to St. Michael’s Primary school, Apata, and other business facilities including banks, pharmacy among others.

Mega Icon Magazine sighted construction work  vigorously ongoing at the filling station earlier sealed by the state government around February, 2020. In fact, the project is now more than 80 percent complete and full operations are expected to commence  soon,  as reliably gathered.

One of the Engineers  who confided in Mega Icon Magazine during our reporter’s visit to the site informed that they were not aware of any directive from the government to stop work, adding that all the necessary  requirements for the construction had been met.

It would be recalled that the Oyo state government had earlier sealed the filling station based on negative impact the facility would have on a nearby Primary School (St. Michael’s Primary school, Apata) and persons living within the premises.

The state  government through its Commissioner for  Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola, further disclosed that  the directive was issued, following petitions received from residents and business owners. He emphasized that the action was to correct the unfriendly habits of degrading the environment which may be receptive to people’s health.

Ayoola added that his visit to the filling station was to access  the environmental impact of the construction site, take measures that would promote a friendly environment devoid of environmental threats, particularly the pupils of the School.

According to him, the safety of residents is paramount to the government, which he reechoed must not be compromised most importantly when a school is involved. Having considered  the fact that the facility does not have environmental impact assessment report and some other necessary permit that regulates environmental activities of the state, the Commissioner put a stop work order and sealed up the facility.

However, the residents who expressed their fears to Mega Icon Magazine on Saturday appealed to the Seyi Makinde -led government to come out with stern rules governing the siting of filling stations so as to avert unnecessary hazards and also  prioritize the safety of the primary school pupils.