Ayodele Olalere
Lagos State government has warned event organisers to adhere strictly to safety measures when planning events in the wake of recent stampede incidents across the country.
While speaking at a joint briefing on Sunday organised by the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations and Ministry of Information and Strategy, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho said the warning becomes necessary following cases of stampede during distribution of food palliatives in some parts of the country.
Omotoso said anyone planning distribution of food palliatives or any other event during the yuletide season should make adequate preparation on crowd control.
He said that henceforth, individuals, religious and corporate bodies that wish to hold any form of event in the state must register with the Lagos State Safety Commission or face the full wrath of the law.
“All individuals or groups that intend to hold an event or distribute any items at all to large gatherings of people are advised to seek clearance from the Safety Commission.” he said
He noted that Lagos Safety Commission in partnership with security agencies are well equipped to control crowds, adding that any act of charity should not consume lives of the people.
“To those who feel that the government is just doing this for nothing and can just gather a crowd and begin distribution of items and huge crowd beefs up and tragic incidents happen, the person will have him or herself to blame, ” Omotoso said.
The Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter- Governmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde urged Lagos residents to monitor happenings in their environment, while enjoining them to always call the toll free numbers 767 and 112 in case of emergency.
Speaking on safety measures, Director -General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola said that the state has been conscious of the safety of the residents in the past years which was visibly demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
