Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has said that the next 14 days will be used to prepare ground for re-opening of Mosques and Churches in the territory.
The minister spoke today, May19 during a briefing following a meeting between the FCTA and representatives of the FCT Christian and Muslim communities led by the FCT Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman, Dr Samson Jonah and the FCT League of Imams Initiative, Dr Tajudeen Mohammed Bello Adigun.
The Minister said that the continued restrictions of the religious gathering in the FCT is guided by advise from medical experts and guidelines from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 which had directed that all measures approved two weeks earlier be extended for another two weeks and these include the restriction on religious gatherings.
“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.”
He said that all actions on the re-opening of the society is hinged on the advice of medical experts who at the moment do not support it, adding that in the interim, a team consisting of representatives of the religious organisations and their leadership, as well as the FCT has been constituted to look at what the modalities and protocols of operating places of worship will be when coronavirus lockdown is relaxed.
He said that such modalities are 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.
He explained that the protocols, including use of face masks, hand washing and social distancing will have to be adhered to when places of worship eventually re-open.
