Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has emphasised the need for operators to follow due process before laying gas pipelines and optic fibres on road setbacks, to promote harmonious development of the physical environment within the State.

Commissioner in the Ministry, TPL. Olatunji Odunlami made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting with Gas Pipeline Operators and allied companies, at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Odunlami stated that it became imperative for the operators to regularly update the Ministry of their activities, so that such information could be considered when further projects such as road extensions and construction of drainages were being executed by the government or private establishments.

The Commissioner noted that ‘’when there are expansions like that, some infrastructure can become damaged and will be replaced at high cost, it can also lead to dislocation to communication infrastructure and pose a danger to the well-being of citizens living in such areas, which can have negative impact on the society and the economy’’.

He reiterated that the Ministry’s regulatory responsibilities covered all developments within the State, whether on land or under the ground, saying a database of gas pipelines and optic fibres had been instituted as it would be included in the preparation of Master Plans for different areas of the State.

Responding, the representative of Nigerian Downstream Mainstream Petroleum Regulating Agency (NMDPRA), Mr. Oluwafemi Adebowale appreciated decision of the Ministry on regular review of permit and approval along a particular routes to avoid conflicts, calling on the operators to promptly carry out their activities in accordance with the dictates of the government.

 Other companies represented at the meeting were Transit Gas Nigeria Limited, NNPC Gas Marketing Company, NIPCO Gas Limited, Shell Nigeria Gas, and Entec Power and Utilities.