The Lagos State Government has given Tank Farm Operators one week to commence the process of regularising their facilities by filling the application for Planning Permit.
This directive was given by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako at a meeting with Tank Farm Operators in Alausa- – lkeja.
The Commissioner who observed that only 8 out of the 41 Tank Farms existing in the State had Planning Permits authorising their establishments, said most of the Tank Farms in the State had been operating illegally and in variance with Section 27 of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA)and Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) regulations 2019,
which stipulates that anyone who built in Lagos State without Planning Permit commits an offence liable to enforcement, imposition of Penal fees or removal of structure.
He emphasised that any Tank Farm that failed to start the process of regularisation of its facility after one week would face serious sanctions.
Dr Salako who explained that the operations of the Tank Farms had thrown up many challenges for the State, including pipeline vandalism, environmental degradation, fire outbreak, traffic congestion and destruction of public infrastructure among others, said
the State Government had chosen to engage operators of Tank Farms to find a lasting solution, to ease the challenges.
He added that Government had approved the preparation of Action Area Plan for Ijegun -Egba to address the planning issues raised by the operations of Tank Farms such as road connectivity, security and transportation linkage.
Contributing ,the Commissioner for Energy and Minerals Resources, Engr. Olalere Odusote, speaking through his Head of Oil and Gas Department, Engr. Sesan Odukoya stated that discussion at the interractive meeting reinforced previous engagements with the Operators of these installations by the Lagos State Government with a view to finding a lasting solution to challenges posed by their operations.
Speaking on the need to give back to the communities, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Ganiyu Adele Ayuba urged Operators to partner with the Government in order to deliver well- coordinated and impactful Corporate Social Responsibility to the host communities.
Ibukunoluwa Temitope
