Geospatial Distribution and Locational Impacts of Filling Stations in Minna Metropolis

Abstract

This research analyzed the geo-spatial distribution of filling stations outlets in Minna Metropolis using Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver; Garmin 76X to determine their spatial locations. The updated georeferenced street shape file of the study area was sourced from the Niger State Geographical Information System (NGIS) and imported to ArGIS environment with data integration and transformation of the geographical coordinate of the filling stations. Standard of planning by Department of Petroleum Resource (DPR) was adapted by Environmental Guidelines Standard was also used as a standard for the study. The study discovered 83 filling stations located along the 10 roads in the study area, of which 73.973% belong to indigenous marketers, 20.55% belong to multinational marketers and 4.82% belong to NNPC. Correlation exist between hierarchy of road and filling stations, Bosso, Western by-pass, Eastern by-pass, Bida, Kpakungun and Paiko road (all major roads) have the highest number of filling stations whereas minor roads like Shehu Musa and Shehu Kangiwa roads have low density of filling stations. The locational pattern of the filling stations is clustered with significant difference between the pattern and random pattern at both 95 and 99% level of significance. The major factors governing the location of filling stations are the traffic flow, exit site from the city and closeness to Motor Park. 83.13% of the filling stations met 15-meter distance to the road as standard. However, 60% of the stations met distance of 100 metres to the utilities but with side-by-side closeness to built-up. Thus, many stations do not meet the standard of 400 metres distance to nearby stations but were located without separation. The research recommended that agencies in charge of regulation should ensure that filling stations operators comply with standards through enforcements.