Enugu lawmaker withdraws public safety bill, seeks consultation
The member representing Ezeagu Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Chima Obieze, has withdrawn his proposed Crowd Control and Public Safety Bill following public concerns and criticisms over the legislation.
Obieze said the withdrawal would allow for wider consultations, public enlightenment and better understanding of the objectives of the proposed law.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his offfice, the lawmaker said the bill was introduced in good faith to protect lives and prevent avoidable deaths during large public gatherings.
“My proposed Crowd Control and Public Safety Bill is hereby withdrawn.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,” he said.
Obieze said the proposed legislation was not intended to restrict public gatherings or impose unnecessary burdens on residents, but to establish basic safety standards for events involving large crowds.
He cited several stampede incidents across the country, including the December 2024 tragedies in Okija, Anambra State; Ibadan, Oyo State; and Maitama, Abuja, where people reportedly died during public gatherings and charity distributions.
The lawmaker also referred to previous incidents in Rivers and Anambra states, arguing that proper planning, crowd management and emergency preparedness could help prevent such tragedies.
“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.
According to him, the proposed bill was designed to require organisers of concerts, religious programmes, carnivals, political events and charitable distributions to make adequate safety arrangements.
He said such measures could include first-aid services, fire extinguishers, crowd-control barricades, emergency exits and security personnel.
Obieze said the issue was particularly important ahead of the festive season, when social activities, community celebrations and philanthropic programmes were expected to increase.
Explaining his decision to withdraw the bill, the lawmaker said legislation must be properly understood by the people it seeks to regulate.
“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 said.
Obieze said he would formally communicate the withdrawal to the Speaker of the House while engaging stakeholders on public safety at large gatherings.
He thanked residents, civil society groups and other stakeholders who expressed their views on the bill, saying both support and criticism were part of the democratic process.
“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, however, reaffirmed his commitment to public safety, saying, “The safety of Ndi Enugu will always remain my priority.”
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