A legal practitioner in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Mr Abayomi Fabunmi, has called on the Federal Government to enact a law against siting petrol and gas stations in communities.
Fabunmi, who gave the advice in an interview on Friday, January 19, 2024, said that the havoc caused by Premium Motor Spirit, known as Petrol, kerosene, diesel and Gas on lives and properties was alarming.
According to him, town planners should justify their work by doing it right, saying that approving filling stations within the residential premises is bad.
“They must know fully that whatever we do on earth, either good or bad, we would give account of it before the Almighty God.
“Gone are the days when filling stations are sited at the extreme end of the town but, now, town planners would approve filling and gas stations within, without minding the adverse effect of loss of lives and properties,” Fabunmi said.
The lawyer urged town planners to ensure that they give enough space for vehicular movement, to curb any crisis that might arise.
He admonished petroleum marketers to emulate developed countries, using underground pipelines, rather than tankers carrying petroleum products which could explode and destroy lives and properties.
Fabunmi urged filling station owners to get the necessary materials for precaution, such as fire extinguishers and also respond to distress calls, among others.
He emphasised: “We have one life to live and once it is affected, there is no remedy.’’
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
