Fuel station shut down over spillage, contaminated water

A fuel station suspected to have contaminated the underground water of residents in Akoka Community Development Area (CDA) through the leakage of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, from its underground storage tank, has been shutdown by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment .

The fuel station, Total, was shutdown on Friday, following series of meetings held between the station, residents and the Commissioner of the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti.

The Guardian had in a report two weeks ago exclusively reported on the oil spillage and water pollution with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) promising to wade into the matter and resolve it amicably.

According to one of the affected residents, Ms. Ifeamaka Umeike, after the second meeting, “the commissioner after having had enough evidence ordered the closure of the fuel station in the best interest of the community, especially after observing that the water from the industrial boreholes provided by the fuel station smells faintly of petrol and is brownish.”

She however stated: “The closure is not permanent, it is only until an environmental forensic audit is carried out by the fuel station that proves contrary to our claim.”

It was reported that Total fuel station had been providing some of the affected residents with palliative water supply, after which they had begun to drill industrial boreholes. However, the Commissioner has requested that all boreholes in the area be decommissioned, noting that the Lagos State Water Corporation will be mandated to provide affordable potable water to members of the community.

In a conversation with the CDA Chairman, Mr. Oluwasegun Adesanya, he confirmed that the fuel stationed had been shutdown “to carryout a forensic investigation on the extent of contamination, after which the station would be re-opened.”

It was reported that the contamination was discovered in 2017 when the residents observed a change in colour and the smell of petrol in their underground water.