By Adekola Afolabi

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Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has condemned indiscriminate and illegal siting of petrol and gas stations in residential areas in Ondo State.
The Governor, who explained that the stations were being sited in the affected areas without environmental impact assessment, noted that such is dangerous to the residents.
Akeredolu spoke on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), led by the National President, Town Planner (TPL) Olutoyin Ayinde.
“We are trying to control where the petrol and gas stations are sited. Some of the dangers of indiscriminate siting include seepage. Seepage occurs when the petrol, diesel or kerosene washes into Wells and boreholes. We need to do something about it,” he said.
The governor, who lamented the lack of adequate town planning in Nigeria, said infrastructure was now consciously planned and spread for balanced development in the state.
Akeredolu said his administration is working with UN Habitat to draw Master Plans for Akure, Owo, Ore and Okitipupa.
Also present at the courtesy visit are the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale; the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, among others.
Earlier, the National President, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Town Planner (TPL) Olutoyin Ayinde, appreciated Akeredolu for his belief in the country and is passion for development of its potentials.
“We find it necessary to acknowledge your governance style and how you are seeking in your own way to set things right in Ondo State in spite of the various challenges we face as a nation. This is reflected in the manner you have handled various issues of local, regional and national interests”, he added.
The President also solicited the collaboration of the state government in raising awareness for the Town planning profession and orderly development of human settlement.
Ayinde further called for collaboration to enhance the role of physical planning in the state to achieve goal 11 of the Agenda 2030, which was Sustainable Cities and Settlements.
He encouraged the Governor to further harness professionally qualified human resources in the state in order to give good direction to the growth of the state.
According to him, investing in preparation of State Regional Plan, Master Plans for towns and rural areas and local plans will bring into focus and help in resolution of flooding, accessibility, and informality.