…as Speaker’s Aide gives clarification
The media office of Sen. Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru has berated the Osun State House of Assembly and especially its speaker, Adewale Egbedun for proposing jail term and fine for those who skate publicly in the state, advising the lawmakers to halt the bill immediately.
Basiru said that the speaker who is a youth should have corrected anyone who brought the bill before the house on the demerit of the bill, adding that the state in conjunction with relevant agencies should have called stakeholders in the sector to a dialogue on how to stake safely.
“We are disturbed by the news of the proposal of punishment for open skating in Osun State. For us, it is coming when skating tars are being discovered in Nigeria. In Lagos State and neighboring Oyo, people are investing in the sporting activities and if Osun cannot tap in, it shouldn’t have come up with the punishment.
“The Osun Assembly led by speaker Adewale Egbedun shouldn’t have allowed such bill to see the light of the day because we believe that as a youth, he should have been exposed to skating and other sports alike.
“While we believe it is not too late for the bill to be struck out, we urge the lawmakers to engage experts as advisers before slating any bill or motion for deliberation.
“Allowing such to sail through is not only backwardness for Osun but laughable. Osun cannot even afford that kind of a legislative mistake at this point in our existence. We should encourage discovery of talents.
“We assure that our principal, who is currently the national secretary of the APC, has in his manifesto talent discovery through sports and will not stop at nothing to achieve it.
“The Governor Ademola Adeleke should rein in the leadership of the OSHA against pushing Osun backward,” the statement added.
Insight Media had earlier reported that the Osun State House of Assembly had proposed six months imprisonment or a fine of 250,000 for those engaging in public skating.
According to the statement signed by the legislative Assistant to the speaker, Olugbenga Akanfe, the bill does not seem to ban skating outrightly, Rather it aims to prohibit public skating, particularly on highways and busy roads due to the dangers it poses to not the skaters and the general public.
He said, “It’s also important to note that Osun is not alone in regulating skating in public spaces. During the administration of former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, similar restrictions were introduced. Skating on public roads was declared a violation of the Lagos State Traffic Law (2010), and parents were advised to caution their children against such activities.
“If Lagos State, as far back as the Fashola era, recognized the dangers of unregulated skating on public roads, then the proactive steps being taken by the 8th Assembly of Osun State led by Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun should be seen as commendable. The aim is clear to prioritize public safety and promote responsible skating practices.
“However, with the ongoing transformation of the Osogbo City Stadium by Governor Ademola Adeleke, there are plans to include a proper skating arena within the facility. This development will provide a safe and structured environment for skating enthusiasts”, he concluded.
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