Members of Akoka Community Development Association (ACDA) have lauded the management of Total Service Station in Akoka for the prompt response in tackling the incident of fuel leakage discovered in the station underground tank in August 2017, which restored sanity to the community.
Representatives of the community disclosed this to journalists in Lagos during the association’s appreciation and award ceremony organised to honour long-standing and committed residents in the area.
Segun Adesanya, chairman of the association, while speaking on the fuel leakage, said the management of Total Service Station had been quite responsive and that they left no stone unturned in bringing the environment back to shape.
He said relevant agencies such as Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, and the Department of Petroleum Resources, had certified the environment safe, hence residents could continue with their domestic and business activities without any fear or concern.
According to Adesanya, “The incident occurred August 2017 and Total was quick to notify relevant government agencies including the CDA. They started the remediation process by blocking all water sources in the affected five houses as confirmed by the agency in charge of remediation, Terra Aqua Environmental Consultancy Ltd. as well as supplied us with alternative water.
“Such an accident is inevitable, but we are happy with the way the company went about managing the situation. It didn’t only cater for the environment but also the health needs of dwellers.
“In our meeting with the Commissioner for the Environment, we resolved that any resident with health issue arising from the crisis should be attended to at either Lagoon or Mercury or Clinique Hospitals because residents demanded to be treated in private clinic.”
Olusegun Aroyeun, Baale of the community, said the incident disrupted activities in the area for a while, adding that efforts made by the company had further raised their hopes.
On his part, Razak Odufuwa, landlord of No. 57, St. Finbarrs College Road, Akoka, and whose house happened to be the worst hit by water pollution caused by the leakage, commended the Total Service station for responding swiftly, adding that the initial contaminated water was now safe for consumption.
Akoka Community Development Association aside from honouring Total Service Station at the award ceremony equally honoured 24 other residents for the contribution to the development of the community.
