Lagos state government has stressed that it will not tolerate the physical development of petroleum tank farms and filling stations without getting planning permits from the state.
The Honorable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, revealed this in a chat with journalists in Alausa on Tuesday, highlighting that the Ministry is obliged to regulate all forms of physical developments in all parts of the state.
He explained that the physical planning law has not given room for any conflict of interest and it is supported by a ruling of the Supreme Court, which specifically placed the responsibility of regulation for all physical development within a territory in a state.
Salako has criticised the way the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) issues licenses to structures without resorting to the Lagos state government for physical planning permit, stage certification and certificate of completion of the tank farms.
“It is even more worrisome that the State Government in a bid to ensure orderly organised and sustainable development, would seal off illegal and unapproved Tank Farms and Filling Stations while the DPR would go behind to unseal such facilities”.
“We urge the Federal Government Agency to desist from this untoward act and join us in encouraging promoters of these facilities to respect the law by ensuring that their structures have all necessary Physical Planning Approvals”, he said.
On the continuous existence of oil tanks in Ijegun-Egba, the Commissioner stated that a new approval was not granted in the area, while the existing structures should implement measures of corporate social responsibility for the development of the host community.
He urged new applicants for tank farms approval to try moving to approved places in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, the leadership in the Ijegun-Egba communities where there are tank farms have exonerated the Lagos State Government on the proliferation of the facilities in theareas.
Expressing confidence in the LASG’s efforts to sanitise the activities of the operators of tank farms, the Chairman of Satellite Town Forum, Mr. Governor Emitini, implored that the DPR should consider the safety of residents and collaborate with the LASG and host communities to solve outstanding problems.
Alleluia is the Assistant Editor and Content Writer at LagosPost.ng. She is a prolific writer and editor, she has written features and news stories on Lifestyle, Sports, Business, Politics and B2B marketing. She is also an event coordinator, host and social media content creator.
