The Edo State Ministry of Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development on Tuesday expanded its “Operation Plan Edo” effort to new locations in the Benin city, poised to assure order and sanity in the built environment.
In portions of Benin City, the capital of Edo State, the Ministry continued the recertification process and sealed gas and petroleum outlets, schools, hotels, event centers, guest homes, and other public spaces operating without authorization.
In Benin City, the exercise started at Saint Saviour Road and continued to portions of Upper Sokponba Road, where officials served Contravention Notices and sealed unapproved gas stations, fuel stations, event centers, guest homes, and schools.
Director of Enforcement and Development Control of the Ministry, Mr. Henry Enabulele, who is in charge of the operation, stated that the goal of the exercise is to prevent serious fire incidents that could be brought on by the careless siting of such hazardous businesses in residential areas and to make sure that only authorized facilities are open to the public.
He urged operators to get in touch with the Ministry to confirm the status of their establishments and said that the exercise would be extended to other areas of Benin City.
Enabulele claims that “during the exercise, we found various abnormalities. On Saint Saviour Road, the majority of the gas stations were grouped together near homes.
On one section of the road, there were about seven petrol stations. A massive inferno would emerge from a fire outbreak.
The state government is worried about the frequency of fire outbreaks and the impact on locals that this may have.
Before putting up gas stations or other retail businesses, the government encourages prospective owners to apply for building licenses at the Edo State Ministry of Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development.
Ledor Filling/Gas Station, Small Market Filling Station, BW Cooking Gas Station, LPG Gas Station, Oboye Gas Station, and two more unnamed gas stations are just a few of the gas and fuel stations that have been sealed.
They are all located on Saint Saviour Road in Benin City.
He also mentioned that tampering with a government seal is illegal.
It is suggested that the proprietors of the sealed buildings approach the Ministry for additional instructions.