GIS-Based Location Analyses of Retail Petrol Stations in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The increasing demand for petroleum products in Nigeria has led to the increase in retail petrol stations construction all over the country. The study therefore assessed these stations within Ilorin with the objectives of determining the age range, functionality status, total number of pumps and identifying premises of public concern that are within close proximity to these stations. Data for the study were obtained through field surveys; where the coordinates of the stations were acquired using handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) device, and other information through administration of questionnaires to owners and workers in each petrol station. Spatial analysis was done using the ArcGIS 10.4 by ESRI on an OpenStreet Map database, while simple descriptive analysis used Excel 2016 package. Results were presented in maps, tables and charts. The findings revealed 297 retail petrol stations were in Ilorin, of which 112 (38%) of these stations were above 15 years of age. The study also revealed that 224 (75%) of the stations were functioning at the time of study while 73 (25%) were either abandoned or under construction. The number of dispensing pumps per station varies but 215 (72%) stations has 4-6 operating pumps. Most of the stations were found at close proximities to public premises such that 10 (3%) were in close proximities to school, 226 (76%) to shops, 192 (65 %) to residential houses and 11 (4%) were close to hospitals. The research concludes that retail petrol stations are highly congested within the metropolis forming cluster pattern which poses a great threat to the densely populated region of the town.

Keywords: Environment, Geographic Information System (GIS), Ilorin, Nigeria, Retail Petrol Stations