Festac residents decry unsafe LPG plant locations
Lagos, May 2026 (TBL Africa) Residents of Festac Town in Lagos have raised concerns over the growing presence of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) plants within residential areas, warning that the development poses safety and environmental risks.
The residents, who spoke in separate interviews on Friday, urged relevant authorities to strengthen monitoring and enforce safety regulations to prevent possible accidents.
Many of them said the close proximity of LPG plants to homes, schools, markets and busy roads had heightened fears of gas leaks, fire outbreaks and explosions.
Mr Tochukwu Okafor, a resident of 23 Road, said many families were now in fear because of the growing number of gas facilities around residential buildings.
“Most residents are worried because these gas plants are now too close to where people live. If any accident happens, the destruction could be massive,” he said.
Okafor urged regulatory authorities to strictly enforce safety and environmental standards before approving LPG facilities in residential areas.
Mrs Omotayo Balogun, a trader, said although the plants had improved access to cooking gas, public safety should remain the priority.
“We all depend on cooking gas in our homes, so having refill stations nearby makes life easier and cheaper. But safety should always come first,” she said.
Also, Mr Dare Adepoju, a resident of 41 Road, called for regular inspections of gas facilities and increased public awareness on emergency response procedures.
“People need to know what to do during a gas leak or fire outbreak. We cannot ignore the dangers,” he said.
Another resident, Mr Esho Olakunle, criticised the approval process for LPG facilities, saying communities were often not consulted before construction began.
“Most people only become aware of a gas plant when construction is already ongoing. Communities should be carried along because their safety is directly involved,” he said.
However, some residents noted that properly regulated LPG plants had improved access to cooking gas and created employment opportunities within the community.
Mr Chibuzor Nwabueze, a car dealer in the Fifth Avenue area, said the facilities had reduced the stress of travelling long distances to refill gas cylinders.
“It also provides jobs for many youths,” he said, while urging operators to comply strictly with safety and environmental regulations.
Although, experts have said that LPG remained a cleaner alternative to kerosene and firewood, but weak safety enforcement and poor handling practices could increase the risk of accidents.
