“War” in Lekki as Neigbours disagrees over Petro Station Construction

Neigbours living along Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, are at war with the owners of a petrol station project currently under construction along their area.

While some residents are in opposition to its construction, others are however in support of it.

Indigenous oil marketing firm, ASCON oil has elected to build an ultra-modern petrol filling station at Block 36, Plot 10 Admiralty Way, Lekki Peninisula, Lagos to serve the estate and adjoining communities.

Reports have it that, the disagreements among residents which started with protest and campaigns, escalated when those against the plan to build the filling station in the location instituted a court case at a Lagos High Court.

Their petitions against the construction of the filling station are based on the following reasons:

• The filling station when completed will cause endless traffic congestion in the area, especially during fuel scarcity.
• When completed, the filling station will expose the area to risks of fire outbreak from the petroleum outlet
• The filling station would make the area targets of armed robbers who may target the daily sales from the station and by extension other neighbours
• It will pose a threat to lives, health and property in the form of pollution

On the other hand, residents in support of the construction of the station have also presented their own view on the matter, under the aegis of “Concerned Residents of Lekki Phase 1 Estate”

These residents have started that:

• ASCON Oil service station reportedly say there are going to be four double nozzle pumps capable of handling 8 cars a time and up to 50 cars can be in the station at any given time.
• It is going to be built on 340 square meter piece of land
• With such operating space it will be rare for traffic to spill over into the major road during normal operations, because they will be using a model that can handle smooth traffic flow for cars on highway
• The construction was approved by all relevant government agencies down to the local government levels. Thus, approval of the project has been well reasoned by qualified authorities.
• Residents who oppose the plan to build and operate a mega filling station in the area are few and do not represent the interests of the generality of residents of the estate.
• Claims that the filling station poses risk of fire outbreaks is spurious and falls flat on the face of logic

The courts will now decide whether the filling station sees the light of day or not, the cases are presently in different courts awaiting adjudication.

My Take:

I have a filling station near my house and I will tell you this, it’s been a blessing as I can easily drive in and out with a full tank. Hehehe. But on a more serious note, it’s not a bad idea especially if the company  has gotten the full approval from all parties concern and in this case, they have.

Yes it would cause a little discomfort, almost everything in life does, but change is inevitable and whether they accept it now or not, it would still happen. The Lekki-Express Way is a good example; with all the protest made about the new road, people are still paying toll on the road and eventually, we all will also pay toll at the second toll gate, it’s only a matter of time.

So please, the earlier they accept this change the better for all of them. It will happen.