THE presence of a vehicle-painting workshop inside a residential area, the Amuwo-Odofin Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Lagos has pitched residents with a construction firm. Consequently, over 10,000 residents are seeking the interpretation of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning Laws 2010 and Building Codes of the State, which prohibits the establishment of a commercial industry in a residential settlement.

The residents, through the Amuwo-Odofin G.R.A Resident’s Association are alleging that the construction of a vehicle garage in the area with the installation of chemical equipment for painting of vehicles contravenes the law. According to the chairman of the association, Mr. Peter Iregbu, residents are aware that Amuwo-Odofin is a residential scheme as clearly evident on the Certificate of Occupancy issued by Lagos State government to owners.

Specifically, Iregbu noted that cancer is a major disease that emanates from the establishment of such chemical industry and other environmental pollutant that is capable of causing health injuries, and if allowed to continue its operation in the residential area, would be injurious to the health of residents.

The residents in a letter to the Lagos Permanent Secretary, Physical Planning and Urban Development and copied to the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agencies (LASEPA) and the New Town Development Authority (NTDA), are seeking the intervention of the government agencies to shut down the chemical workshop.

In the letter signed by executive members of the residents association and made available to The Guardian, the residents also urged the owners of the workshop located at Plot 2273, Block 35A, off Abiodun Lawson Crescent of Amuwo Odofin Residential Scheme, to consider the children in the area who are more liable to succumb to environmental pollutants because their immune system is not as strong as adults.

But the owner of the automobile workshop has debunked the allegation saying the car oven, which belonged to her son did not contravene any environmental hazard. “It is just a car oven for my son. It has nothing to do with environmental hazards. After all, there are several places where such workshops are in open places. The place in question is covered.

“Our company is also one of the best around here. It is not a roadside garage. It is a standard company where you have all the safety standards. The agencies of government have been here and they did not say that it was wrong. So I don’t see why some people will have issues with the company. In this estate, there are hotels and mechanic workshops everywhere in the neighbourhood and people are not complaining. Our workshop is not hazardous. I am a member of the association and I pay all my bills. Painting of cars are done everywhere, even abroad, car ovens are located within residential areas,” she added.