By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta
The Ogun State Government has sealed two fuel stations in Abeokuta—Conoil Fuel Station, Ibara, and Moore Fuel Station, Asero—for failing to provide functional public toilet facilities, in violation of the Environmental Management (Miscellaneous Provisions) Law, 2006, and the Ogun State Public Health Law, 2020.
The enforcement followed an inspection exercise carried out by the Ogun State Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement.
Speaking during the operation, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, said Conoil Fuel Station, despite operating for several decades, had no public convenience for customers and members of the public, while Moore Fuel Station was found to have dilapidated and non-functional toilet facilities.
“It is unacceptable that a fuel station that has existed for decades like Conoil, Ibara, does not have a public toilet, while Moore Fuel Station, Asero, operates toilets that are in a deplorable state,” Oresanya said.
He explained that state regulations require fuel stations, eateries, markets and other public facilities to provide functional conveniences as part of efforts to eradicate open defecation across the state.
According to him, Conoil Fuel Station will remain sealed until it provides a functional public toilet, while Moore Fuel Station must completely rehabilitate its toilet facilities before it can resume operations.
“These two stations will serve as a deterrent to others. The taskforce is moving round the state, and any public facility found with non-functional conveniences will be sealed until necessary corrections are made,” he warned.
Oresanya stressed that compliance with the directive is non-negotiable, noting that the state government would not hesitate to sanction any outlet found contravening the law, as the provision of public conveniences is critical to the drive to end open defecation.
On government interventions, the commissioner disclosed that more than 80 ultra-modern biogas public toilets have been provided across the state through public-private partnerships, particularly in border communities such as Isheri, Kara, Wawa, Ibafo and Mowe.
He urged commuters and visitors to make use of the available facilities and called on event organisers to ensure the provision of mobile toilets at venues.
“Everyone must play a role. Providing movable toilets at event centres is part of contributing to the state’s efforts to eradicate open defecation,” he said.
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