Reopening: Ogun assesses mosques, churches

As part of an effort to ascertain the level of preparedness of worship centers towards their reopening in Ogun State, the government has sent a delegation to visit churches and mosques.

The delegation comprised the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, her counterparts in the Physical Planning and Urban Development, and Environment, Tunji Odunlami, and Abiodun Abudu-Balogun respectively.

The delegation held a meeting with clerics after they inspected preventive measures provided by respective faith-based organizations

The delegation visited churches and mosques in Ijebu Remo and Egbaland.

Addressing journalists after the visit, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mrs. Tomi Coker, noted that mixed reactions were noticed among the religious bodies on their level of preparedness.

She said an intelligent decision towards reopening of the worship centers would be considered based on evidence at government disposal, for the overall benefit of worshippers.

She said, “We observed mixed reactions from the religious leaders on their level of preparedness because some have shown that they cannot actually guarantee the safety of their congregants from the COVID-19 pandemic and there are some that have complied with the laid down protocols.”

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment, Abudu-Balogun, commended some of the worship centers on their level of preparedness towards reopening.

He expressed satisfaction on the decontamination of the centers, he emphasised the need to continue the exercise before and after each service.

Abudu-Balogun said, “We are here on the directive of Governor Dapo Abiodun to ascertain the level of compliance, as well as the preparedness of worship centers towards reopening.

“From the environmental point of view, we can see a high level of preparedness regarding decontamination of worship centers.

“What we noticed and needs to be addressed urgently is the ratio of chemical required to decontaminate the premises.”

Odunlami in his remark said the assessment visit was an ongoing engagement between government and faith-based organisations on possible relaxation of the lockdown order, noting that the idea was to ensure the safety of the people.