By Maria Famakinwa
The increasing number of illegal gas retail outlets within residential areas across Ondo State has become a source of grave concern to many residents. Despite repeated government efforts to curb the practice, illegal sellers of cooking gas continue to spring up, converting any available space into makeshift shops.
According to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) regulations, gas retail outlets without essential safety facilities such as fire extinguishers, water sprinklers, temperature gauges, and pressure and volume gauges are classified as illegal.
Investigations by The Hope revealed that several shops within residential areas in Oba-Ile, Ijoka, Oda, Igoba, and Oke-Aro have been turned into gas retail outlets. Similar trends are observed in towns like Ondo, Ore, Owo and Okitipupa. Many residents ignorantly patronise these outlets, unaware of the potential dangers they pose to lives and property.
Explosions across the country: Lessons to learn
Although Ondo State has yet to record a major gas explosion, recent incidents in other states underscore the looming danger. In April, a gas explosion in Ita Osin, Abeokuta, Ogun State, claimed one life, injured six others and destroyed six vehicles. The same month, another explosion in Ajegunle, Lagos State, injured ten people during the routine offloading of gas cylinders.
Three months later, a similar incident in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, killed two persons, while just last week, a gas explosion at Abule Taylor, Abule Egba, razed a commercial building. These incidents highlight the urgent need for proactive measures in Ondo State to prevent avoidable tragedies.
Ignorance and indifference among landlords
Some landlords in the state appear unaware of the risks associated with siting gas outlets in residential areas. Mrs. Lola Omopariola, a shop owner in Ore, admitted she once rented her shop to a gas dealer without realising the implications.
“I didn’t know it was illegal to sell cooking gas in a residential building,” she confessed. “My son later discovered and insisted that the tenant move out. Since then, I’ve learned never to rent out to anyone dealing with gas or chemicals.”
She advised the government to embark on aggressive sensitisation campaigns through mass media to educate landlords on the dangers of leasing their shops to gas retailers.
Residents decry government inaction
An Akure-based artisan, Mr. Haruna Temitope, described the proliferation of illegal gas outlets as worrisome. According to him, gas refilling points have become a common sight in densely populated neighborhoods across the state.
“Go around Akure, and you’ll see gas outlets right inside residential compounds. I once questioned a seller about the risk, but he said he is careful since it is his only source of income. People are either ignorant or simply careless about the danger,”he lamented.
Temitope attributed the continued patronage of illegal gas outlets to convenience and proximity. Many residents prefer nearby sellers to avoid transport costs, even if it means compromising safety.
A disaster waiting to happen
For Mrs. Morenike Orimisanre, a resident of Okitipupa, the increasing number of gas outlets within residential areas is “a ticking time bomb.” She stressed the need for urgent intervention by regulatory agencies like the DPR and state authorities.
“Most landlords only care about rent, not safety. Many of these outlets are surrounded by people who cook, smoke, or use open flames. One small mistake could wipe out an entire neighbourhood,” she noted.
She urged the government to enact and enforce strict laws prohibiting gas outlets in residential buildings. Landlords and operators who flout such laws, she said, should face prosecution to serve as a deterrent.
Dealers defend their trade
While residents call for stricter enforcement, some dealers insist their operations are safe. A gas retailer at Oba-Ile, who declined to be named, said he has been in the business for years without any incident.
“I’m very cautious and make sure my outlet is not in a crowded area. Most explosions happen because people use phones, smoke or handle leaking cylinders carelessly. I take all necessary precautions,” he said.
Despite such assurances, experts argue that no safety measure can substitute for proper siting and regulation. With increasing population density and poor adherence to safety protocols, every illegal gas outlet represents a potential disaster.
The way forward
Residents and stakeholders across Ondo State are calling on the government and relevant agencies to intensify monitoring and enforcement of safety regulations. Beyond closing illegal outlets, consistent public sensitisation is needed to prevent future tragedies.
The proliferation of illegal gas stations in residential areas is more than a regulatory oversight—it is a disaster waiting to happen. Unless urgent action is taken, so the state does not join the growing list of states mourning lives lost to preventable gas explosions.