The recent upsurge in the erection of petrol and gas stations in metropolitan areas in Edo State has been a source of concern to many residents who have expressed worry over the location of such facilities in their neighborhoods considering the threat they pose to their safety.
Though the current upsurge can be credited to the investment-friendly environment created by the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration in Edo State, however, there is need to strictly monitor the location of these petrol and gas stations as it has been observed that some of these businesses are not adhering to safety precautions and town planning laws.
The littering of these stations in residential areas has become not only hazardous, but also distorting the physical and development plans of these areas.
The Obaseki administration is in a hurry to ensure that erection of buildings of any kind follows due process and in line with relevant laws, best practice and standard as seen in developed climes.
The recent fire outbreak at Emmanat Filling Station along Ekenhuan Road in Benin City, reinforced the need for the close regulation of petrol and gas stations in the State for the safety of workers, customers and residents of the area.
Following the incident, property developers and other stakeholders in the built sector decried the situation which they considered as capable of causing fire disasters of unimaginable proportion that can lead to loss of lives and property if urgent steps are not taken by relevant authorities.
In its effort to forestall such incidents in the future, the Edo State Government commenced a recertification of property used as petrol and gas stations in the Benin metropolis and environs, to ensure that the properties are used for their original purposes. Some of these properties were purchased and registered for residential purposes only for them to be converted to gas stations.
According to the Edo State Commissioner for Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development (MPPUD), Mrs. Isoken Omo, owners and operators who fail to comply with the property recertification directive in the State, would be made to face sanctions which may include fines or closure of their facilities or even both.
The recertification exercise which is aimed at ensuring that petrol and gas station operators possess the requisite permits to run the facilities would go a long way to ensure public safety in the State by ensuring that those willing to venture into such business would follow due process, safety and town planning laws in siting their business or property.
Some of the requirements for operating petrol and gas stations are; the submission of two (2) copies of certificate of incorporation, memorandum and article of association, Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report, fire report and certificate, approved building plan and letter from the Ministry of Land and Survey.
Governor Obaseki has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the use of land for the purpose for which it was allocated, and without endangering the lives of inhabitants.
The Governor had noted that a haphazard form of development would not be tolerated in the State. Recall that the State Government embarked on the demolition of illegal structures erected under high tension power cables at Trinity Way, popularly known as Abuja Quarters and around Ugbor axis in Government Reservation Area (GRA) in Benin City; structures which violate the State’s extant town planning laws and regulations.
Also, the enactment of the Edo State Lands Administration and Geographic Information Service Law of 2018 was a bold step that portrays that the Government would not take the improper allocation and use of land with kid gloves.
The Ministry of Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development has also held a series of meetings and town hall engagements with relevant stakeholders such as estate and quantity surveyors, builders, engineers and representatives of security agencies, to acquaint them with the administration’s goal in land use, allocation and planning.
The Ministry has also embarked on the “Operations Show your Buildings Plan” exercise in Ugbor, Ogheghe, Amagba communities and environs, where property owners and developers within the are asked to provide their building plans upon demand by officials of the Ministry.
All these policy initiatives are being embarked upon for proper town planning and in pursuit of the 30-year Master Plan by the Obaseki administration, geared towards making Edo state one of the most organized and best planned States in sub-Saharan African.
By Violet Obamwonyi
