The Lagos State Government on Tuesday has claimed that churches and mosques in the state must not be reopened for worshippers.
This statement was made by the commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, he said this on the 2020 Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating the first year in office of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
While the ban on movement was lifted June 1, and Federal Government approved the reopening of mosques and churches in the country, but only based on guidelines and protocols agreed with state governments.
Elegushi said the Lagos state government hasn’t agree to that And that the reopening of worship centers was not possible soon, as the state was the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier today while given a speech at the press briefing he said;
”Even before the pronouncement by Federal Government, we have been having meetings with the religious leaders, we even had one with Safety Commission, looking at the possibility of reopening of religious houses.
”We also had one with the leaders of the two faiths and I want to tell you categorically that at that meeting, possibility of reopening religious houses was ruled out totally.
”They claimed that they cannot take such responsibility of ensuring that only 20 or 50 people are praying behind them. ”Like an Imam said, he doesn’t know what is going on at the back immediately he is leading a prayer.
He further stated;
if more than 20 or 50 people are staying at his back he is not going to take responsibility for their presence. ”So, in the meeting, we ruled out in totality the issue of reopening the religious houses until we have a clear coast for us to do so.
”The Federal Government mentioned it, but it never ruled out the state in achieving that pronouncement, so all states will have to look at possibility of doing so in their respective states. ”We all know Lagos is still having more figures.
So definitely that will speak to our decision,” he said.
The commissioner, however, stated that the governor of the state would come out with further directives on the matter but all places of worship should still remain closed.
(C) Control TV 2020.
