The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has ordered the immediate closure of Dukes Fuel Station at Kasoa Second Bus Stop after inspections revealed that poor sanitation and blocked drains around the facility were contributing to flooding along the main highway.
The closure forms part of an ongoing clean-up campaign being undertaken by local authorities to improve environmental sanitation and reduce the risk of flooding during the rainy season.
Speaking in an interview, the EPA’s Kasoa Area Head, Abbas Dawood, said drains in front of the fuel station had become heavily choked, preventing the free flow of rainwater. As a result, water frequently overflowed onto the highway, creating dangerous conditions for motorists and pedestrians.
Mr. Dawood explained that despite the poor sanitary conditions around the premises, the fuel station had continued its operations.
Following a joint inspection by the EPA and the Municipal Assembly, authorities decided to suspend operations at the station until the sanitation issues are fully resolved.
He said the facility will remain closed until the blocked drains are desilted and all environmental and sanitation requirements have been met.
According to the EPA official, maintaining clean drainage systems is essential to preventing floods, protecting public health and ensuring the safety of road users, especially during periods of heavy rainfall.
Mr. Dawood stressed that the EPA, together with the Municipal Assembly, will continue to monitor businesses across the municipality and strictly enforce environmental laws to ensure compliance with sanitation standards.
He also urged business owners to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and maintaining drainage systems near their premises, warning that authorities will not hesitate to sanction any establishment whose activities pose a threat to public safety or contribute to environmental degradation.
