By reporters
Some Lagos-based legal practitioners have called for strict enforcement of laws regulating the construction and location of gas plants and filling stations within residential areas.
They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
The lawyers were reacting to concerns over the increasing number of gas facilities sited near homes, schools and business, which pose safety risks to residents.
Mr Chris Ayiyi, a legal practitioner and Principal Partner, Ayiyi Chambers, in Apapa, said although regulatory bodies were empowered by law to ensure proper siting of such facilities, undue influence often undermined compliance.
According to him, political interference and personal interests sometimes override established safety regulations, leading to the approval of hazardous projects in residential neighbourhoods.
Ayiyi said it was advisable that gas plants and filling stations be located far from residential and commercial areas due to the high risk of fire outbreaks and explosions.
He cited the Abule-Ado explosion incident as a reminder of the devastating consequences of ignoring safety warnings, noting that many lives and properties were lost in spite of earlier concerns raised by residents.
“The state must take proactive measures to enforce compliance with safety standards and ensure that no facility is approved in violation of extant laws,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Okechukwu Nna, another legal practitioner, urged residents to be vigilant and demand accountability from developers and regulatory authorities.
He noted that residents had the right to request and review feasibility study reports conducted before the approval of any gas plant project.
According to Nna, such reports should clearly indicate environmental impact assessments, safety measures and compliance with zoning regulations.
He added that if there were breaches, residents could seek legal redress through the courts, or petition relevant government agencies to halt construction.
Nna stressed that Nigerian laws, including urban planning and environmental regulations, prescribed minimum safety distances between gas facilities and residential buildings.
He noted that failure to adhere to these provisions could result in sanctions, including revocation of licences and demolition of illegal structures.
Similarly, Mrs Jumoke Ajayi, said Nigerian laws and regulations provided clear guidelines on where fuel stations could be erected.
Ajayi, a property and environmental law expert, said though the constitution did not expressly state specific distances, several federal and state planning laws prohibited the establishment of petrol and gas stations within unsafe proximity to residential buildings, schools and hospitals.
“Some states in Nigeria often stipulate minimum distance requirements.
“In some cases, not less than 200 metres from residential clusters, in order to minimise the dangers associated with fire outbreaks, explosions and environmental pollution,” she said.
Ajayi further said non-compliance persisted because enforcement authorities did not thoroughly monitor planning approvals or routinely inspect stations after construction.
Mr Damilola Ojomo, a rights lawyer, in his contribution, explained that the laws were created to protect citizens’ constitutional rights, including the right to life, right to dignity and right to property.
Ojomo said the dangers associated with fuel stations in densely populated neighbourhoods justified strict regulation.
He added that there was the need for operators to obtain licences supported by environmental impact assessments, building approvals and safety certifications.
“The laws are not the problem.
“The challenge is weak enforcement.
“Regulators must ensure that operators do not illegally erect stations inside residential streets,” he said.
Ojomo urged collaboration between local planning authorities, fire service departments and petroleum regulators, to identify and shut down illegally sited stations.
Another lawyer, Mr Alozie Nwoke, said it was not completely illegal to build gas plants or filling stations in residential areas, but that there were important rules that must be followed.
“Before any construction, the owner must get approval from the right government agencies. These include planning authorities and petroleum regulators,” he said.
He explained that the law required safe distances from houses, proper environmental checks and strong safety measures, to avoid fire or explosions.
“If these rules are not followed, the project is illegal and residents can challenge it,” Nwoke added.
Mrs Ugochi Opara spoke on the role of residents.
Opara said people living in such areas should be alert at all times and take action, if they noticed anything wrong.
“Residents should check if the project has proper approval. If not, they should report to the authorities immediately,” she said.
She added that residents could write petitions, make complaints and even go to court, if the project was dangerous.
“The court can stop the work or even order that the structure be removed, if it breaks the law,” Opara said.
The lawyers therefore urged government agencies to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to prevent arbitrary approvals.
NAN recalls several fire incidents in the country linked to fuel facilities located near residential areas.
They include the Majiya fuel tanker explosion in Jigawa on Oct. 15, 2024, which reportedly claimed more than 200 lives and the Suleja tanker explosion of Jan. 18, 2025, which also resulted in multiple deaths and destruction of homes.
NAN also reports that a recent gas station explosion in Calabar South, on Edibe Edibe St., destroyed properties and injured several residents in a densely populated community. (NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Folasade Adeniran
