Man does not go to bed when his house is on fire is a proverb that can be used as a starting point when discussing the topic of indiscriminate gasoline and gas station building in Nigeria, and in particular Edo State (especially in Benin metropolis).
More concerning are the practice’s impending and disastrous effects on persons and property in the areas where these facilities are located.
The majority of established cities have set aside spaces for gas stations and gasoline, which are frequently outside of the city’s residential and commercial core.
They accomplish this by being aware of the risks posed by the volatility of gas and fuel during situations like leaks or fire outbreaks.
Ironically, most regions of the Benin city often see the building of gas and gasoline stations in residential zones.
The Edo Development and Property Authority (EDPA) and the Ministry of Lands and Survey appeared to have compromised their criteria in order to provide permissions for the placement of these gasoline and gas stations, so it appears that some past governments paid little or no attention.
Based on this assumption, a number of interested parties and concerned State residents have passionately denounced the offensive behavior of some of these fuel and gas station owners, whose actions have posed a serious threat to both human life and the environment.
Recently, a disaster happened at Ekenwan Road in Benin City when a diesel-conveying petroleum tanker was unloading its cargo when it unexpectedly caught fire, causing property damage not only inside the gas station’s walls but also in nearby structures.
Thankfully, no one perished, but the unimaginable pain and agony on the afflicted residents continues because their regular sources of income and investments were destroyed in the blaze.
There is no question that the state makes money from the rise in the number of gas and fuel stations.
However, if these stations’ operations endanger people’s lives or property, then circumstance warrants serious consideration and introspection.
They contend that since there is no substitute for human life, protecting people’s lives and property should always be the top priority of any government.
Therefore, the Edo State Government, through the Ministry of Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development, has marshaled strategies in this direction to prevent further occurrence of the tragic incidents as well as the need to sustain the gains made in its urban renewal drive through the demolition of illegal structures in the State.
One of these measures is Operation Plan Edo, which has led to the Ministry’s Office of the Commissioner receiving a notice from all owners and operators of gas stations and fuel stations requesting that they submit their authorized building plans.
Recently, the Ministry conducted a recertification exercise at Saint Saviour, a commercial district in the Benin capital.
According to Mr. Enabulele, Director of Enforcement and Development Control, “During the exercise, we identified many 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 frequency of fire outbreaks and the potential effects they may have on locals worry the state government.
The government advises anyone who wants to open gas stations to visit the Edo State Ministry of Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development to obtain building permits before choosing a location.
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 petrol stations that have been sealed, all of which are located on Saint Saviour Road in Benin City.
In light of the potential hazards that these gasoline and gas outlets have so far caused, the Edo State Government’s action is appropriate in saving the State.
In a similar manner, the recertification process will give the State government the opportunity to crack down on sites that have been created by some of these fuel and gas station operators that are illegal and unapproved.
It suffices to remark that the State Ministry has zero tolerance for unlawful structures in the State and that it has been actively and successfully working to rid the State of illegal structures on electricity lines and in other unauthorized locations during the past few months.
Undoubtedly, the sad gas station incident at Ekenwan Road a few months ago has helped people realize how to prevent similar incidents in the future. A stitch in time saves nine, as the proverb goes.
Therefore, it is essential and impossible to overstate the need for united efforts.
Governor Godwin Obaseki has sworn to uphold his constitutional mandate, which is to protect the lives and property of the people of Edo, since it is the government’s first duty.
Therefore, the security of all Edo citizens’ lives continues to be a key priority on his administration’s agenda, and Operation Plan Edo is a good step in the right way in attaining this goal.