By Modupe Gbadeyanka
An embargo has been placed on the approval and construction of filling stations by the Lagos State government in all parts of the state till further notice.
This information was revealed by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Wasiu Anifowose.
Speaking on Tuesday at the 2017 Ministerial Press briefing in Alausa as part of activities marking the second-year anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration, the Commissioner also said a definite action will soon be taken on indiscriminate construction of event centres across the state.
He stated that government has already decided not to grant construction permit for filling stations pending the inventory of existing ones.
Responding to questions on the recent oil spillage in Alimosho, Mr Anifowose said the decision of government was necessary in view of the need to take proper inventory of the existing filling stations with the view to determining those that should be removed, all in a bid to ensure public safety.
According to him, “What happened in Alimosho was because of pipeline vandalism. If people have not been greedy to vandalize pipelines, we will not be seeing what is happening.
“But be rest assured that no permit for filling station in Lagos State will be granted till further notice. I have told the General Manager of the concerned agency; the management team of the agency has taken a decision and we will not grant any approval until we take inventory and see what we have.”
He said the state government was also working with the Federal Government to relocate Tank Farms in residential areas in Apapa, adding that a definite pronouncement would be made on that in due course.
