A letter written by a resident near the gas station in Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos, which exploded on Thursday has revealed that a request to remove it was spurned by the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in 2018 .
No fewer than eight lives were lost, while 25 buildings were damaged as a result of the explosion.
A lawyer, Femi Agbaje, who has his law firm along Ipaja – Ayobo road, Ipaja, near the location of the gas station, had on February 5, 2018 written the Ministry, pleading with it to save lives by removing the station.
However, in replying the lawyer’s letter, the ministry, in its reply dated March 15, 2018, said the matter was receiving attention, but added that Mr. Agbaje had to swear an affidavit to bear the cost of removing the gas station “if approval is granted”.
In the letter, signed by Ajayi B.A.A of ADTPS(TSD) unit of the Ministry put the cost of removal expected to be taken care of by Mr. Agbaje at N689,500.
Below is the letter by Ajayi.
