The Oyo State House of Assembly has moved to regulate large public gatherings within the state in a bid to prevent tragic incidents and enhance public safety.
, made this call during the House plenary on Thursday.
The House made the call while receiving the Committee report chaired by Hon. Olufunke Comforter representing Ibadan North 1 during its Thursday’s plenary sitting.
The resolution had directed the Committee on Women Affairs and Community Development to interface with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to gather input on the need for the executive arm of government to regulate large public gatherings.
According to the lawmaker, the committee held discussions with key stakeholders including the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, the Ministry of Health, the Office of the Special Adviser on Security Matters, and the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Security Trust Fund (OYSSTF).
The Ministry of Health, during the engagement, revealed that it had already established guidelines for managing public events.
The guidelines include conducting a comprehensive risk assessment before any public event, including a crowd control plan with designated entry and exit points, encouraging event organizers to obtain formal clearance from relevant authorities, implementing a ticketing or registration system to manage attendance and ensuring venues are well ventilated with designated zones for categories of attendees.
Other parts of the resolution also include engaging trained security personnel to manage crowds using barriers and queue systems, setting up a fully equipped First Aid station with medical personnel on standby, and keeping exit doors unobstructed at all times.
The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion also recommended measures such as conducting training sessions for event planners, requiring organizers to submit a safety plan, including crowd control, emergency exits, and evacuation routes, and mandating collaboration with relevant security agencies.
Other measures include providing separate safety zones for children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities,
ensuring the availability of fire extinguishers, emergency alarms, and medical kits, and collaborating with Oyo State Fire Services and other relevant ministries and agencies for event monitoring and enforcement of safety protocols.
The House emphasized on the importance of compliance with the Public Order Act by both event organizers and regulatory agencies to forestall “untoward happenings” at large gatherings.
The committee on women affairs, in its report, urged the executive arm of government to propose a bill that would provide a legal framework for regulating public gatherings in the state.
The House in its deliberation stressed that the absence of such a framework has, in the past, contributed to avoidable tragedies.
The report recommended that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion formulate child protection policies for public events. It also directed event planners to implement measures to prevent gatecrashers and ensure venue security.
Also, law enforcement agencies were called upon to enforce existing laws, particularly the Public Order Act, to maintain peace and safety during public gatherings, processions, and demonstrations.
The committee however, commended Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration for its proactive approach and dedication to the safety and welfare of Oyo State residents.