Stampede: PH Polo Club Condoles Bereaved Families, Kings Assembly

The management of the Port Harcourt Polo Club has described as unfortunate the stampede that occurred in the early hours of last Saturday at the premises of the club, leading to the death of about 31 persons, including women and children.
A statement issued by the management of Port Harcourt Polo Club and made available to The Tide, said it was quite regrettable that an event intended to ameliorate the plight of the people could end on such catastrophic note.
The management condoled with the families that lost their loved ones in the incident, and disclosed that the club as a responsible organisation quickly responded to the tragic incident by immediately shutting down the entire club premises for 24 hours to ensure that the relevant agencies of the government could have unfettered access to the affected part of the club’s premises to enable them handle the situation effectively.
The statement, which dissociated the club from the organisation of the event, explained that “the part of the club where this tragic incident occurred is the area that the club regularly gives out to interested individuals, corporate organisations, e.t.c. for their events and programmes, after a thorough screening exercise has been carried out by the club.”
The statement signed by the President of the Polo Club, Engineer Chukwudi Dimkpa, pointed out that the club does not involve itself directly or indirectly in the preparation for and actual holding of such events within the club premises,but only provided available space needed for the event at the agreed date and time.
The management also commiserated with The Kings Assembly over the sad event, and described the church as one of the most reputable religious organisations in the state with a rich history and background of conducting similar goodwill events and programmes designed to ameliorate the sufferings of the people within their environment.
He added that the organisation met the strict criteria set out for the use of its facilities for events.

By: Taneh Beemene