LASG laxity impacted Baruwa explosion, resident lamented

…asked community to pay N757,900 for removal of gas plant

The resident of Baruwa has alleged that Lagos State Government through the state Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development lack of carefulness and attentiveness contributed hugely to the Baruwa gas plant explosion.

It could be recalled that the gas explosion at Best Roof Gas Station in Baruwa claimed 8 lives, destroyed 25 houses, 16 shops, school among others on Thursday, 8 October 2020.

The Unity Community Development Association which is a developmental body overseeing Baruwa and its environs said it has written letter of complaint to the state government through their lawyer for the removal of the gas plant as it poses more harm to the resident.

Consequently, earlier this year, after two years and a month, the ministry replied asking the community to swear an affidavit of bearing the cost (total sum of N757,900) for the gas plant to be removed which they cannot in any way afford.

The resident lawyer, Femi Agbaje, sent a safe our soul to the Lagos State Government on the activities of the Best Roof Gas Station as far back as February 5th, 2018.

The letter written on behalf of the Unity Community Development Association complained that citing the gas station in the area constitute dangers to over 30,000 residents of the area.

Tracing the history of the construction of the gas station, the letter stated that the land in question located at 61b Cardoso Road, Unity bus stop, Baruwa Inside, Baruwa, Ipaja was purchased by the proprietor of the gas station, one Baba Saheed meant for residential purpose.

The letter expressed surprised that the land was later used to construct a gas cum petrol station which drew the protests of the residents.

The residents were irked that the gas station is located in a residential area where schools, churches and other residential buildings are located. Apparently, the residents’ protest fell on deaf ears.

The letter dated 5 February 2018 was titled: HUMBLE PLEA TO SAVE OUR LIVES & PROPERTIES ON DANGEROUS EFFECT OF GAS STATION ERECTED/OPERATED BY THE BEST ROOF GAS STATION, 61B CARDOS ROAD, BARUWA, IPAJA chronicled the history of the gas station and the need for government to act and save the lives and properties of the residents.

The letter explained that locating the gas station in such a densely populated residential area pose serious dangers to the residents and their properties citing how gas explosions have caused disasters in residential areas like Magodo and Badagry where lives and properties were lost.

The letter was directed to the then Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, where copies were sent to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa; then Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Wasiu Anifowoshe.

The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in its response after 2 years and a month through a letter, highlighted that the state government acknowledged the receipt of the letter by the residents’ lawyer saying that the government was looking into the matter.

The state government’s letter signed by TPL Ajayi B.A.A., ADTPS (TSD) which was dated 15 March 2020 with reference number MPP&UD/TSD/18/72 told the residents that they would swear an affidavit to bear the costs of removal of the gas station if approval is granted by the government.

Consequently, the residents were expected to pay the following for removal of the gas station if the government approved the process:

(1) N689, 000 (six hundred and eighty-nine thousand Naira only) payable to the state Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development

(2) N68, 900 (sixty-eight thousand, nine hundred naira only) payable to the state government.

Thus, the residents were charged a total of N757,900 (seven and fifty-seven thousand, nine hundred naira only) to the state government for the removal of the gas station.