Dare Babalola
Ogun State government has shut down two fuel stations, Conoil Fuel Station, Ibara and Moore Fuel Station, Asero, both in Abeokuta, for failing to provide public toilets within their premises.
This is in contravention of the state’s Environmental Management (Miscellaneous Provision Law) 2006 and the Ogun State Public Health Law 2020.
Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, ordered the closure after a visit by the state’s Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcements.
He stated that Conoil Fuel Station lacks public toilets, while Moore Fuel Station’s toilets are dilapidated, despite the state’s directive that all fuel stations, eateries, markets, and public facilities provide functioning public conveniences.
Oresanya said, “The two fuel stations will act as a deterrent to others as the Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement is going round the state to check on the level of compliance of these public outlets at providing functional conveniences in their premises for public use.
“It is therefore in their best interest to comply and open the conveniences for public use as the state government will not spare any of them found guilty of contravening the directive, which is one of the ways at eradicating open defecation in the state.”
Oresanya also revealed that the state government has provided over 80 ultra-modern biogas energy public toilets in different parts of the state, urging commuters and visitors to use them.
He reminded party organisers to provide movable toilets at their events to support the state’s efforts to eradicate open defecation.
