Lagos State government has said that petrol and gas stations can be built anywhere, including residential areas, though they must be approved by the state government.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Olayinka Olumide, stated this on Wednesday at the ongoing ministerial press briefing to mark the second year and second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in office.

Responding to the indiscriminate setting up of petrol and gas stations in residential areas, Olumide stated that what stakeholders should be bothered about is if the petrol and gas stations within their residential areas are approved, because with that, appropriate safety measures would be put in place to check any incidents.

He said it will be a disservice to the residents of they have to travel kilometres to buy petrol or gas.

He stated that it will not be convenient for someone living in Ikorodu to travel to Ikeja to buy petrol or gas, which is why petrol and gas stations should be sited in residential areas.

Olumide disclosed that in the last six years, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) received a total of 57,347 applications for planning permits for various uses and granted 37, 266 approvals within the same period.

“The uses applied for included residential, commercial, mixed-use and institutional among others. For instance in 2024, the Authority granted Approvals for 95 Hospitals, 27 Petrol Filling Stations, 151 Shoping Malls and 95 Schools, among others.

“During the period being reported, the Office of Physical Planning, through its Technical Service Department (TSD), provided technical support services to other MDAs in areas of Physical Planning and Development Issues. In the same vein, the Office received and investigated petitions submitted by aggrieved members of the public and whistleblowers, relating to land use and development disputes as well as perceived physical planning infractions.

“A significant 70.24 per cent of cases were resolved through mediation to prevent costly litigation and minimise the burden on the courts. A mediation resolution rate of 70.24 per cent demonstrates the Office’s effectiveness in resolving majority of petitions amicably, minimising the need for enforcement actions and reducing the burden of enforcement and litigation.

“However, in instances where violations were severe, not condonable, or mediation proved unsuccessful, the Office enforced compliance through regulatory actions, including, service of statutory Notices, Sealing of contravening properties and/or Removal of illegal developments (where necessary). It is noteworthy that 1.98 per cent of cases required total removal, while 0.4 per cent required sealing, indicating the Office’s firm but balanced approach.”