The Kwara State House of Assembly has vowed that the filling stations constructed in defiance of existing embargo on establishment of petrol stations would face the wrath of the law.

The Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad gave the warning while declaring open the public hearing organized by the Kwara State House of Assembly Ad-hoc Committee on proliferation of stations held at assembly chamber.

A member representing Ilorin North West, Hon Abdulrafiu Abdulrahman had in a motion on notice, raised alarm over proliferation of petrol stations within the residential and commercial areas and demanded the House wade into the matter which consequently led to the constitution of the committee.

The Speaker noted "unconscionable pursuit of IGR will not drive us to the brink of endangering the lives and property of our people".

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi had disclosed that no fewer than 129 petrol stations operate within Ilorin metropolis without securing necessary approval.

Dr Abdullahi noted that out of 235 existing petrol stations in Ilorin metropolis, 129 operate illegally, while the owners of remaining 106 secured necessary approval relating establishment of petrol stations.

He said any attempt to check the activities of operators of illegal petrol stations were in most cases unsuccessful.
While advocating for appropriate sanction against the operators of illegal petrol stations, he stressed the need for strict regulatory framework to check illegality.

The Herald recalls that former Governor of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki had placed embargo on the construction of new filling stations in Ilorin metropolis since 2006.

The Speaker said the embargo had not been lifted despite the apparent lawlessness being displayed in the springing of illegal petrol stations.
Dr Ahmad, who vowed that the House would enforce compliance with the existing directives, said "on this matter,nobody should come and beg me or any other any members to bend the rule because we will not".

"I want to state categorically that this House would not condole lawlessness,negligence of statutory responsibilities and waste of government resources, the Speaker warned.

In his submission, the Operation Controller, Department of Petroleum Resources, Mr Salvation Philips said five among existing illegal petrol stations had been sealed off in Ilorin.

Philips said illegal filling stations were sealed off last Saturday due to failure operators to secure license and other necessary approval.
He said the department would ensure strict compliance with the regulatory framework relating to the establishment of petrol stations and sought the collaboration of other regulatory agencies and members of the public to achieve success.

The chairman of ad-hoc committee, Barrister Kamaldeen Fagbemi said the House noted with concern the indiscriminate proliferation of filling stations especially in the residential areas in the metropolis.

Fagbemi however assured that inputs and suggestions of stakeholders would be critical looked into to find a lasting solution to the problem.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Cooperatives, Alhaji Mohammed Saba Koro blamed the problems on inability of regulatory agencies to work as a team.

Koro advocated for the establishment of safety commission where all regulatory agencies would be involved and mandated to jointly work as a team in enforcing existing regulatory framework.

The Acting Director General, Kwara State Bureau of Lands, Alhaji Ibrahim Salman said the agency had not allocated land for the construction of petrol stations since when the embargo was placed on the operation.

He said all lands in which petrol stations were being constructed were acquired through private individuals.

The Executive Secretary, Town Planning and Development Authority, Mr Raimi Adeoti said lack of enough equipment and personnel had been hampering effective performance of the authority.
Some of the stakeholders who contributed during the public hearing included Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works of Transport, Alhaji Amuda Alabi, representatives of Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Environment and Forestry,Solicitor General, IPMAN, Fire Service, IEDPU, Jamatul Nasir Islam, CAN, Balogun Gambari Development Association, Ajikobi Development Association, Adewole Development Association, Pakata Development Association among others.