The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Musa Bello, says places of worship are yet to reopen in the city because the administration is acting on advice by medical experts, as well as guidelines from the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19.
The PTF had few days ago, through the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari extended the easing of lockdown by another two weeks, including the restriction on religious gatherings.
Bello stated this during a meeting between the FCTA and representatives of the FCT Christian and Muslim communities led by the FCT Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman, Samson Jonah and the FCT League of Imams Initiative, Tajudeen Mohammed Bello Adigun.
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The meeting, the statement noted, was called after a request by the religious leaders for the re-opening of places of worship in the FCT, following pressure from their followers.
A statement issued on Wednesday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye, quoted the minister as saying “based on the guidance of the medical experts and consultations with highest authority, the Presidential Task Force gave a decision and communication on the fact that all the measures approved two weeks ago be extended for another period of time to enable organisations, individuals and all of us plan for a gradual opening up of the society”
The primary concern of all leaders and public officials, according to the minister, was to save lives and this involves “monitoring very closely reports from the health authorities which indicate that after 9 weeks of the pandemic and attempts to curtail its spread not much has changed”
He maintained that it was only on the advice of medical experts that such public places could be reopened again.
“In the light of this, the Minister continued, the leaders of the religious organisations have agreed to work towards the eventual opening up of worship places at a time to be determined by the Presidential Task Force, based on medical advice,” the statement reads briefly.
“In the interim however, Malam Bello explained, a team consisting of representatives of the religious organisations and their leadership, as well as the FCT has been constituted to gradually look at what the modalities and protocols of operating places of worship will be when COVID-19 lockdown of the FCT is relaxed.
“He said that such modalities were not new considering that certain protocols were put in place at the height of insecurity in the country when religious places were the targets for terrorists.
“Therefore certain protocols such as use of face masks compulsory hand washing and social distancing will have to be adhered to when places of worship eventually re-open the Minister said.
“This, he continued, will also include the identification and placement of modalities for the decontamination of all places of worship adding that these protocols are necessary so that when eventually places of worship are re-opened, they will be done with minimal risks to the worshippers.”
Furthermore, the statement said the religious leaders appreciated the efforts of the FCT Administration in the fight against COVID-19 especially in the distribution of palliatives.
It said it was agreed at the meeting that whatever “palliatives were available following the extension of the lockdown will also be re-distributed through the organs and structures of the religious organisations.”
“Also at the meeting were the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary of the FCTA, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, the Acting Secretary of the health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr Mohammed Kawu and other leaders of the Muslim and Christian communities in the FCT,” it concluded.