… Receives 70 Calls on Social Functions in 24 Hours
As Nigeria records more cases of the deadly Coronavirus disease, Lagos State has intensified monitoring and enforcement of the “no gathering” policy, saying everyone must join hands with the government to minimise the spread of the pandemic.
Speaking on the enforcement exercise, the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, said the agency would not rest on its oars until people voluntarily comply with the new directives.
She explained that due to the growing statistics of COVID-19, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had ordered residents to avoid any public gathering exceeding 50 people, just as the religious houses were also discouraged from congregational prayers sessions.
“The directive was meant to ensure the safety of everyone. You can postpone your birthday, wedding or whatever ceremony, only the living celebrate these ceremonies. In essence, we all must comply with this order. We shouldn’t, because of any pecuniary gains, endanger the lives of others by organising parties at this perilous period”, the General Manager said.
Fasawe also disclosed that in view of the need to support the Agency’s monitoring and enforcement exercise, over 70 complaints were received from Lagosians reporting those acting contrary to the directive by organising different public gatherings and ceremonies attracting about 200 participants.
According to her, some of the event centres and clubs earlier sealed for flouting the order aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 include Regency hall, Imperial Hall, Martinos Hall and Suites, Farmcity Club and Lekki Xhale Shisha Lounge, Victoria Island.
While urging club owners to stop harbouring people in unsecured and unventilated areas in order to hide from the authority and prevent sanctions, Fasawe advised everyone to adopt the changing lifestyles necessitated by the outbreak of the pandemic.
She also revealed that cases of some schools encouraging their students to come to school in mufti to enable them to complete their exams were reported, stressing that the idea is unacceptable and there will be no hiding place for violators of government directives.
The General Manager, therefore, urged Lagosians to always share information with the government on suspected social gatherings exceeding the stipulated number in their vicinity, saying “if you see something, say something because that party in your neighbourhood could endanger your lives if you keep quiet, since you would not know who has the virus among the multitude of people at the party”.
Fasawe also urged all public and private institutions to install handwashing infrastructure, provide sanitisers at the entrance of buildings and ensure its usage by the staff and visitors, noting that LASEPA enforcement teams are out to ensure full compliance with these safety precautions.
BA/TMS/OS
