Assembly seeks safety at tourist centres

The Lagos State House of Assembly has charged all stakeholders in the state’s tourism and hospitality industry to come up with a common solution, which would address the growing cases of insecurity and safety in tourist centres across the state.

The assembly said the call for urgent action became necessary in the light of the recent death of two undergraduates from the University of Lagos, Sola Ogunmefun and Olubunmi Odusina at the Elegushi Beach.

Another reason it averred was the adverse effect a decline in the patronage of the industry could have on the state’s quest to diversify its revenue base and the economy generally.

And to achieve the above, the House Committee on Waterfronts Infrastructures and that of Tourism and Culture, have been urged to work with the necessary ministries and come up with the necessary regulations for safety in the beaches and hotels in the state.

Moving the motion on the floor of the house, the Deputy Majority Leader, Olumuyiwa Jimoh emphasised that beaches in the state should be safe for people, so that they could attract visitors.

“Gadgets should be put in place in our beaches. We have a regulation that should be obeyed. If the regulations are put in place, we will tell the world that we are ready to receive visitors,” he said.

In his contribution, the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa said the issue should not be limited to beaches, but extended to hotels.

He urged the relevant ministries to come together to prevent a re-occurrence, noting that a policeman had also lost his life somewhere in the swimming pool of a hotel in Lekki/Ajah axis of the state.