Kwara Govt orders temporary closure of petrol station over oil spillage
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin
The Kwara State Government has ordered the temporary closure of Rainoil Filling Station, located along Lare-Gada, Sobi Road, Ilorin, following reports of oil spillage in the area.
The government also assured residents of the Ifelagba community in Sobi, Alagbado, Ilorin East Local Government Area, that swift action would be taken regarding the discovery of oil contamination in four wells and one borehole within the community.
The Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, who led an urgent government inspection to the area on Wednesday, said comprehensive geological and environmental assessments would be conducted to verify the extent of the spillage and evaluate its public health and safety implications.
Adelodun stressed the importance of working closely with the community and promised that the state government would engage relevant federal agencies for technical assessments and discussions on responsible management of the area.
Speaking during the inspection, the Chairman of Ifelagba community, Alhaji Ajadi AbdulAzeez, expressed gratitude to the government for its prompt response, highlighting the discovery of oil in major wells and boreholes, which had caused water contamination and scarcity.
Alhaji AbdulAzeez said the substance found during recent water retrieval efforts had the distinct appearance and odor of petroleum, raising serious environmental concerns.
The Magaji of Ifelagba, Alhaji Mohammed Amori Ajape, also thanked the state government for its intervention and appealed for the immediate provision of clean and potable water for affected residents.
Responding, the Area Manager of Rainoil Ltd., Mr. AbdulHakeem Adeyeye, said the company had conducted several tests and septic surveys to determine the source and extent of the contamination.
