In a bid to prevent tragic incidents during philanthropic activities, the Lagos State government has directed individuals and organizations planning to distribute items to large crowds to obtain prior clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission.
This move aims to ensure such events are conducted safely, avoiding the chaos and fatalities that have marred similar efforts in other parts of the country.
The directive was issued in a statement by the Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, on Saturday, December 21.
Omotoso emphasized the government’s commitment to preventing stampedes and protecting lives during public gatherings.
“The Lagos State Government has observed with serious concern the stampede during philanthropic gestures of individuals and organisations in some parts of the country,” the statement read. “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu sympathises with families whose loved ones were involved in the stampede that led to the loss of lives in some States.”
Preemptive Measures for Crowd Safety
To avoid a repeat of such tragedies, the government has urged individuals and groups to collaborate with the Lagos State Safety Commission. The commission, equipped with mechanisms for crowd control and safety monitoring, works in partnership with security agencies to manage large gatherings.
The statement continued: “To prevent such occurrences in Lagos State, all individuals or groups that intend to distribute items to large gatherings of people are advised to seek clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission, which is well-equipped to ensure that such events do not turn tragic. The agency has a partnership with security agencies to ensure crowd control at locations with large numbers of people.”
Registration and Legal Consequences
The government has streamlined the process for obtaining clearance, directing organizers to register their events through the commission’s platform, lasgsafetyreg.com. Failure to comply with this directive will attract legal consequences, Omotoso warned.
“Any group that flouts these measures will surely face the legal consequences of its indiscretion. The Government has activated all its safety mechanisms, following a directive from Mr. Governor who has also summoned a meeting of all safety agencies.”
A Proactive Stance
This directive underscores Lagos State’s proactive approach to safety, especially during the festive season when palliative distributions are common. The government’s emphasis on registration, collaboration, and accountability aims to ensure that acts of goodwill are not overshadowed by preventable tragedies.
