Lekki Neigbours at “War” Over Petrol Station Construction on Admiralty Way

A petrol station project currently under construction along Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, has been the source of disagreements among some residents in the area.

Some people in the area are opposing the erection of the filling station, while others are in support of it.

Block 36, Plot 10 Admiralty Way, Lekki Peninsula, Lagos is the location where indigenous oil marketing firm, ASCON Oil has elected to build an ultra-modern petrol filling station to serve the estate and adjoining communities.

The disagreements among residents which started with protests 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.

In their case, they  are petitioning against the construction of the filling station for the following reasons from their perspective:

• 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 viewpoints on the matter. They reportedly interfaced with the promoters of the proposed filling station and are satisfied with the explanations that ASCON Oil put forward.

Under the aegis of “Concerned Residents of Lekki Phase 1 Estate”  these residents have stated that:

• ASCON Oil service station reportedly says 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 level. 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

Whether the fillings station project will see the light of day or not now rests with the courts. This is more so as the two cases are now in different courts awaiting adjudication. The first by a section of residents who are opposed to the filling station project, and the second that was instituted by promoters of the petrol filling station project.

***

BellaNaijarians, what’s your take on this issue? If you lived in the Admiralty Way Lekki neighbourhood, would you be in support of the construction of he petrol station, or against it? Let’s talk about it!