Ogun Assembly Seeks Improved Crowd Control, Commiserates with Victims' Families

The Ogun State House of Assembly has urged stakeholders and agencies involved in palliative distribution and other public engagements to implement preventive crowd-control measures to avert tragedies like the recent stampedes in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja.

Speaking at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, emphasized the importance of safeguarding lives during such events. He made this appeal while addressing a motion brought under Matters of Public Urgent Importance by the Minority Leader, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, during plenary.

Elemide expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and commended the efforts of the event organizers who intended to assist vulnerable individuals. "While the intentions were noble, it is crucial to ensure that such gestures do not result in loss of lives. We, as a State, must prioritize the safety of our people by adopting proactive measures to manage crowds effectively," he stated.

The Speaker also assured that the Assembly would soon draft legislation aimed at streamlining the planning and execution of events involving large gatherings. "We will work towards enacting laws to prevent such unfortunate incidents in Ogun State. Our people deserve protection, and we are committed to ensuring that safety measures are enforced," Elemide added.

Earlier, Hon. Adeleye highlighted the urgent need to address the gaps in crowd control that led to the recent fatalities. "The tragic loss of innocent children and others in Ibadan, Anambra, and Abuja is a wake-up call. As representatives of the people, it is our responsibility to initiate regulations to prevent stampedes and ensure the safety of lives during such events," Adeleye remarked.

He further urged relevant agencies, including the Ministries of Culture and Tourism, Environment, and Local Government Councils, to collaborate in putting measures in place. "An inter-agency task force should be established to manage crowd control and issue permits for events requiring large gatherings," Adeleye suggested.

The Assembly reiterated its commitment to ensuring that public engagements are conducted safely and efficiently, safeguarding lives while encouraging public-spirited initiatives in the State.