Illegal filling stations is not a problem peculiar to Kwara state but the alarming rate at which these stations spring up in places lest expected is what is giving the government and people a huge concern.

To this effect the Kwara State House of assembly (KWHA) held a public hearing to listen to players in the field and how best the raging monster could be tackled. A lot was revealed during the hearing from government agencies, parastatals and the independent Marketers association(IPMAN).

 "My office is not having a bulldozer talk less of a payloader, not even a single operational vehicle" a permanent secretary during his presentation (only God knows where the millions in the budget goes to).

 From 2006 when an embargo was placed on the construction of new filling station within Ilorin metropolis, 129 illegal stations (according to another permanent secretary) has been built till date. The Bureau of Lands whose responsibility  it is to approve lands in the state said no new land has been approved for such purposes, that most of these stations are sitting on family lands and most of these lands are exclusively offered to people who are interested in building filling stations because of the millions involved.

 The IPMAN chairman in his remark said approval has been made difficult but that hasn't stop the construction of new stations by other persons within the metropolis (seems this embargo is for some people). There is no law that said no filling station can't be built in urban areas but it's the duty of government to monitor and regulate the construction of such businesses and make sure the given standard is followed.

  Most of the agencies said they were most times ordered by people in government or Royal fathers (heard one was even paid 2 million naira to help facilitate the construction of a popular petrol station) who they cannot defer their directives and in cases where they are not directed otherwise, they  lack the right equipment and personnel to carry out their duties.  Sometimes they're beaten by hoodlums!

 "Government cannot do anything to these stations, most belong to people in government , their families or cronies and in any case if the government demolishes them, only people that have no ties with them will suffer" this was revealed during my discussion with some IPMAN members. It was also said that they pay huge sum in bribe to get the TPDA off their backs.

I asked what happens to those stations marked for demolition? They replied, that can only be done if you did not 'settle' at the TPDA.  It seems we are at a crossroads on this issue already because no matter what the government tries to do, justice will never be served.

  Most of our ministries and agencies are full of  unqualified and incompetent  people assigned to perform duties they know nothing about and few that can get the job done are not protected and most cases hindered by political influence. There is lack of political will to make tough decisions and follow the laws of the land in all cases without favour.

In my opinion, what the government can do now is to give stringent safety standards to existing filling stations and makes sure all stations comply.

Secondly, the embargo should be enforced and that the Bureau of lands should be involved in the sale of ANY lands including communal lands.

Thirdly, the government should work closely with department of petroleum resources to ensure no new licence is given to new station within the metropolis and closely monitor the existing ones.

Anyone found not complying with given directive should be made to face the full wrath of the law. If any of this is not done now and fast, let's all keep calm and burn.

M.S Hassan, @emveepee1 on twitter, writes from Ilorin