Babatunde Ajileye confirms all approvals for Arepo filling station, dismisses safety concerns raised by some estate residents
[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ollowing concerns raised by residents of Praise Hill Estate and its environs in Arepo, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, over the construction of a filling station, the developer, Babatunde Ajileye, has confirmed that all necessary approvals were obtained from relevant authorities before construction began.
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The project, situated between the estate and the Foursquare Gospel Church, drew criticism from some residents citing potential safety hazards and alleged non-disclosure of the project’s purpose.
In a letter dated April 9, 2025, addressed to the Ogun State Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning, the community’s leaders expressed concern over the development.
However, Ajileye has now presented official documents countering these claims, including a January 29, 2025, approval from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, and another from the Ogun State Building Production and Management Authority dated December 3, 2024, affirming the project’s architectural approval.
Arepo should not be deprived of basic necessities, of which the siting of a petrol station is one.
Further lending credibility to the project is a letter of support from the Olu of Arepo, Oba Solomon Oyebi, who described the petrol station as a necessity for the rapidly growing community.
“Arepo should not be deprived of basic necessities, of which the siting of a petrol station is one,” the monarch said.
Ajileye, while speaking to the media, described the resistance as “unwarranted and based on misinformation.”
He revealed that even before approvals came through, he had reached out to the estate leadership with a proposal to relocate their gate and help build a new one—an offer he says was rejected due to “selfish attitudes.”
“The Arepo community actually wants fuel stations, banks, and factories. My team met with the palace and stakeholders and got their full support,” Ajileye added.
He also clarified that the project is just one component of a larger investment initiative in Arepo, including a 30-acre estate and a modern bakery aimed at producing affordable, healthy snacks for residents.
“I’ve already invested close to ₦1 billion in Arepo, with more on the way,” Ajileye stated.
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The developer urged residents to verify facts before spreading misinformation and reaffirmed his commitment to safe, community-benefiting developments.
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Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
