The Lagos State Government on Tuesday has insisted that churches and mosques in the state should remain close despite the federal government order for them to be re-opened.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, made the statement at the 2020 Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating the first year in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
READ ALSO: Churches, mosques to reopen as FG lifts ban on religious gatherings
He said the reopening of the worship centres may not be possible for now as the state was the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic.
He said:
”Even before the pronouncement by the 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, the 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 said 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 the 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,”
The commissioner, however, said that the governor of the state would come out with further directives on the matter.
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