Lewis Obianyi, who represents Ukwa East State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, has raised the alarm over the rising number of petrol stations being constructed dangerously close to homes, markets, schools, and public spaces.
During a recent plenary session, Obianyi introduced a motion urging the state government to regulate and prohibit the establishment of filling stations in residential and high-density commercial areas, citing serious safety concerns.
“The core duty of any responsible government is to protect the lives and property of its citizens,” he emphasized.
“The indiscriminate siting of petrol stations near people’s homes and public spaces is a disaster waiting to happen.”
Obianyi highlighted that petroleum products are highly flammable and that in the event of an explosion, such poorly located stations could cause loss of lives, destruction of property, and long-term health hazards.
He pointed out that many of the existing petrol stations in the state do not comply with fire safety protocols or environmental standards and are often sited closer than the minimum distances stipulated by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Nigeria’s environmental protection laws.
“There are stations built dangerously close to residential buildings, markets, and schools—all in blatant violation of existing regulations,” he said.
The lawmaker warned that unless urgent action is taken, residents in affected areas will continue to live under constant risk of fire outbreaks, air pollution, and related health complications.
As part of his motion, Obianyi called on the Abia State Ministry of Environment to:
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Suspend further approvals for new filling stations in residential and commercial neighborhoods.
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Audit and review existing filling stations across the state.
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Enforce compliance with DPR and environmental protection guidelines.
After deliberations, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, granted all the prayers in the motion. He also advised Hon. Obianyi to begin the process of turning the motion into a formal bill, to strengthen its legal backing and ensure long-term enforcement.
This move has been widely seen as a step toward improving public safety, urban planning, and environmental protection in Abia State.
