By Esther Onyegbula

The member representing Ezeagu Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barr. Chima Obieze, has withdrawn his proposed Crowd Control and Public Safety Bill, saying the decision will provide an opportunity for wider consultations and public enlightenment on the proposed legislation.

Obieze, in a statement on Wednesday, said the decision followed reactions and concerns expressed by members of the public regarding the Bill.

He explained that the proposed legislation was conceived as a measure to strengthen safety arrangements at public gatherings and prevent avoidable loss of lives, stressing that it was not intended to restrict lawful gatherings or impose unnecessary burdens on residents.

“My proposed Crowd Control and Public Safety Bill is hereby withdrawn. Let me once again state that the intention behind the Bill is born purely out of concern for human life and safety. Safety for our children, women, and people living with disabilities,” Obieze stated.

The lawmaker said the withdrawal would enable him and other stakeholders to engage more broadly with residents, civil society organisations, event organisers and other relevant groups before considering further legislative action on the issue.

He said effective legislation required not only a clear objective but also adequate consultation and public understanding.

“Every law is made for the citizens. As a lawmaker, I owe the citizens the duty to ensure that they understand the mischief or purpose every new legislation seeks to cure. If the people for whom the law is made misunderstand its purpose, it is our duty to step back, educate more, and consult wider,” he stated.

Obieze said his concern about public safety was informed by previous incidents involving overcrowding and stampedes during public gatherings in different parts of the country.

He recalled incidents reported in Okija, Anambra State; Ibadan, Oyo State; and Maitama, Abuja, in December 2024, where people lost their lives during public gatherings and charitable distributions.

According to him, such incidents underscore the need for event organisers and relevant authorities to pay greater attention to crowd management, emergency preparedness and safe access and exit arrangements.

He said the proposed Bill was intended to provide a framework for safety measures at large gatherings, including concerts, religious programmes, carnivals, political events and charitable distributions.

“These deaths were not caused by sickness. They were caused by a lack of crowd control, a lack of emergency medical preparedness, a lack of proper entry and exit routes, and a lack of security,” he said.

The lawmaker said the proposed legislation would have encouraged organisers of large events to make provisions for basic safety measures, including first-aid services, fire extinguishers, crowd-control barricades, emergency exits and appropriate security personnel.

He noted that the issue was particularly relevant as the festive season approaches, with increased social activities, community celebrations and charitable programmes expected to take place across the state.

Obieze also pointed to public safety arrangements adopted in Lagos State and measures introduced in other parts of the country, saying the broader objective was to ensure that large gatherings were conducted in ways that reduce risks to participants.

However, he acknowledged that the concerns raised by residents and other stakeholders warranted further consideration.

He said the withdrawal was therefore an opportunity to allow for additional consultations and clearer communication about the objectives and possible provisions of any future legislation on public safety.

According to him, legislation aimed at protecting residents must be developed through a process that allows the people who will be affected by it to understand and contribute to its provisions.

He added that public confidence and stakeholder participation were important to the success of any law.

Obieze said he would formally communicate the withdrawal of the Bill to the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, while further discussions could be held on measures to improve safety at public gatherings.

He thanked residents, civil society organisations, commentators and other stakeholders who contributed to the debate surrounding the proposed legislation.

“I thank all who contributed, both in support and criticism. Your voices matter. Those who resorted to trolling, drags, and insults, God bless you all too,” he said.

The lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to people-oriented representation and responsive legislation, saying the withdrawal of the Bill did not diminish the need for greater public awareness and preventive measures to safeguard lives during large gatherings.

He maintained that public safety was a shared responsibility involving government, event organisers, security and emergency agencies, as well as members of the public.

“The safety of Ndi Enugu will always remain my priority,” Obieze said.