Anambra state warns against building petrol stations on government right of way

Anambra State Government has warned petroleum marketers against building fuel stations on government right of way stressing that there will be no compensation for any filling after demolition.

They gave the warning during a recent engagement between the leadership of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PEDAN) and Anambra State government.

The state government proposed the demolition of thirteen filling stations in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of the state.

Director and Head of Highways in the state Ministry of Works , Obiekwe Mike, stated that the issue of compensation does not arise because those filling stations affected were built on Government right of way without any reference to the law on length of metres away from the center of the road before erection of any structure.

Meanwhile, the state commissioner for petroleum and minerals resources, Barrister Anthony Ifeanya emphasized that Governor Soludo engaged Consultants who are always available at the Aguata local government Secretariat on daily basis enumerating and hearing from those to be affected and how best to accommodate them.

The Petrol Dealers were informed about the level of consultations embarked upon already by the Governor with all the relevant stakeholders of Ekwulobia and the one on one interaction with all the people to be affected by the developmental road project.

The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Commissioners for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Barrister Ifeanya Anthony , and Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, representative of Commissioner for Works, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, and members of both associations.

However, it is noteworthy that the chairman of IPMAN, Enugu Depot covering six states including Anambra, Mr. Chinedu Anyaso, and chairman of PEDAN, Anambra chapter,Chief Peter Obi Okafor, earlier this month, held an urgent meeting with Anambra petroleum marketers beckoning on Anambra State government to adequately compensate their members whose filling stations were marked for demolition.
The association also threatened to shut down all filling stations in the state if the state government fails to adequately compensate their affected members before the proposed demolition.