Nasarawa State Govt. Suspends Ban On Religious Gatherings, Commercial Tricycles

The Nasarawa State Government has suspended the ban placed on religious gatherings and the operations of commercial tricycles (also called Keke NAPEP) in the State.

This was part of decisions reached during the State security council meeting which took place at the Government House in Lafia today (May 19, 2020).

Addressing the press after the meeting, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Honourable Dogo Shammah said the suspension would be for an initial period of two weeks after which there will be a review.

The Honourable Commissioner however announced that there were conditions all places of worship have to meet before they can re-open.

He said every worshipper must make use of face mask and the churches must provide running water, liquid soap and hand sanitizers for worshippers to use.

He also stated that the places of worship must strictly observe social distancing and also make use of infra-red thermometers.

The Honourable Commissioner also announced that the ban on the operations of commercial tricycles has also been suspended for two weeks.

Also speaking at the briefing, Arch Bishop of the Jos Catholic Archdiocese, Matthew Ishaya Audu called on both Christian and Muslim worshippers to adhere strictly to the guidelines given by the government.

This, he said, will encourage the government to allow worship centres to remain open beyond the two weeks.

Also emphasizing the message, the Secretary General of the Nasarawa State chapter of the Ja’amatu Nasril Islam (JNI), Imam Mohammed Ali urged all religious leaders to ensure their followers adhere strictly to the guidelines as security agencies have been mandated to punish all erring persons.

He also called on the religious leaders to make their time of worship as short as possible so as to reduce any risk of worshippers contracting the virus