In Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, it looks like investors in real estate are no longer interested in building residential accommodation. They now build gas stations even in densely populated areas without regard for regulations, Daily Trust reports.

At a densely populated business area of Post Office in Ilorin, some shop owners were recently thrown into confusion when they were asked to relocate and over 40 makeshift shops were pulled down close to the railway line.

Following the demolition of the shops, the area was cleared of the debris and to the chagrin of many residents and business owners in the area, a sprawling filling station is being erected. It is almost completed.

The construction of a filling station in the area after pulling down many shops reflects the present orientation of property owners in the state who are increasingly turning their landed properties to filling stations. To many residents, it is the latest business for those who have the wherewithal. These people include people in government as well as private individuals. They erect filling stations at will without even considering environmental impact. Though many residents who spoke with Daily Trust did see many filing stations as a way of increasing availability of fuel products, the siting of these filing stations near residential and densely populated business areas is cause for concern.

Findings by DailyTrust correspondent show that many interior parts of Ilorin which many people could not imagine having filling stations have now been adorned with petrol stations. For instance, at Okelele in Ilorin metropolis, some filing stations are springing up in the highly populated area. Also, the trend has spread to Ita Merin area where a magnificent filling station has also been built and opened.

As part of the requirements stipulated by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), a filling station must be sited on a parcel of land not less than 33 x 33 square metres and must not be adjacent to a market, hospital, school, church or mosque. Besides, a fuel station must not be located within 400 meters of another filling station but these guidelines seem to exist only on paper in Ilorin as filling stations cluster with residents and shops while authorities look the other way.

At Muritala Mohammed way, Ilorin no fewer than four filling stations are located within the stipulated 400 meters even as some of the filling stations are situated opposite shops and homes. The new filling station which has just been opened at Muritala Mohammed Way is sandwiched between a commercial bank and another popular company.

The one being built at Post Office where shops were demolished and owners sent away, is directly opposite Total Filling Station and beside Total is another filling station. The high concentration of fuel stations in this area has raised fears among shop owners and residents in the area who described the situation as worrisome especially with the usual gridlock experienced in this area.

A resident of Ilorin, Mr Dele Mukaila blamed authorities for not doing enough to control the indiscriminate siting of filling stations in the state capital.

Though the filling stations are mark of investment spirit, the resident said such stations must not pose danger to residents. "We have found ourselves in this situation because many of those in government are the owners of these filling stations. So there is little or nothing the government can do about this untoward situation. God forbid, if there is fire disaster, where do you want people to run to? A lot of havoc would have been caused before you know it," he said.

However, the Operations Controller, State Department of Petroleum Resources, Engr. Amos Jokodola said there is nothing wrong with siting of petrol stations in as much as they get the approval of the state Town Planning Development Authority. Jokodola added that such stations must not be built within markets because of the danger they are likely to pose to the people.

He said, "It depends on the parameters you employed. You need to go and do survey. What is the petroleum demand of any location, local government or neighbourhood? So that also determines how many filling stations you have in any particular location. So proliferation might not be the right word until and unless you have all necessary data at your disposal.

"But notwithstanding, I told you 400 metres, in some cases we grant waivers. In very busy areas, you might have many filling stations because of demand. So, the question of proliferation is an issue that you need to do a proper evaluation".

However, sources in the state Town Planning Development Authority disclosed that embargo has since been placed on the development of filling stations in Ilorin metropolis. But people appear to be flouting this order as many new petrol stations are springing up.

The Executive Secretary of Town Planning Development Authority could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.