The Lagos government has lifted the embargo it slammed on the construction of petrol stations in the state.
The government has also released new guidelines for the siting of petrol stations and gas plants on highways and major streets, all aimed at ensuring the safety of persons and property.
Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial/ economic hub has had major fire disasters at gas and petrol stations resulting in heavy casualties over the years, forcing it in April 2017 to place an embargo on indiscriminate siting of such facilities in the state.
Under the new guideline, a person seeking to open a petrol station on the highway would require a land size of 2500sqm of land and above located along a highway and must be 2.0km away from existing station on same side of the road.
Also, the facility must have changing room, air compressor, lube bay, car wash, convenience store, offices, toilets (minimum of three each for male, female and one each for disabled male and female, fast food/restaurant, firefighting equipment, CCTV, nine pumps, 18 nozzles maximum, minimum of four underground tanks and maximum capacity underground tanks of 45,000 litres, security while e-banking facility is optional.
Rotimi Ogunleye, the commissioner for physical planning and urban development, at a press conference on Monday, said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the immediate lifting of the embargo. He said that the governor also approved the implementation of a reviewed guideline detailing the requirements to be met by persons or group(s) to obtain the planning permits for petrol station and gas plants in the state.
“By this approval, the state government seeks to ensure safe and orderly siting, operation and management of petrol stations and gas plants for the overall safety of Lagosians. The earlier embargo was to check the proliferation of petrol stations and gas plants and their consequence on safety of lives and property.
“The government was also concerned about improving the aesthetics value and the efficiency of operation in the planning, building control and urban regeneration of the state,” said Ogunleye, adding that with the reviewed guidelines, investors intending to embark on developments of this nature and existing operators are expected to comply with the provisions of the reviewed templates.
The commissioner urged investors to apply for planning information from the ministry before embarking on any developments in order to have firsthand information about the kind of development that could be done in a specific area of the state.
According to him, the planning information is a free service rendered by the ministry to the public providing information on land use zoning, permissible use, plot, size, building coverage and height, deviation setback, air spaces and parking requirements.
JOSHUA BASSEY
