Following Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive on the ban of public gatherings above 50 people, a combined team of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and Lagos State Safety Commission has sealed Prime Mall Mega Plaza located in Lekki and three other event centres for flouting the state government’s directive.
Worried by growing cases of the deadly Coronavirus, Governor Sanwo-Olu, had on Friday banned public gatherings of over 50 people as part of measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Governor had also warned religious bodies, families, residents, academics, professionals and other categories of residents to desist from any gathering, saying that the law enforcement agencies would be deployed to ensure compliance.
Speaking during the enforcement exercise, the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, who led the enforcement team alongside the Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, said that safety of Lagosians is paramount to the government.
She stated that it was gratifying to note that most event centres complied with the directive, unlike some others like Regency, Martinos Events & Suites, Imperial and Prime Mall Mega Plaza that were sealed for contravening the directive.
According to her “The banning of public/social gathering by the government became imperative to save our dear State and prevent our people from contacting the Coronavirus. COVID-19 has become a global pandemic, therefore serious measures such as this must be taken to reduce the spread and further stem the outbreak.
“It’s advisable, we adopt social distancing, by keeping at least six feet distance between ourselves and others to prevent transmitting the virus seamlessly. For now, let us avoid crowds and large gatherings such as weddings, concerts, sporting events, conferences and so forth”.
“We are not unmindful of the implications of the restrictions, but it is crucial we collectively limit and control the spread. Lagos State is not in isolation, it’s a global pandemic; therefore, this enforcement is in line with our determination to suppress and push it back for the safety of all”, she emphasised.
Fasawe averred that the monitoring and enforcement exercise was not to impose hardship on anyone but to assess the compliance level, educate the public on the need to obey and ensure total compliance while appealing for understanding and support of all and sundry at this delicate period.
On his part, the Director-General of the Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, expressed satisfaction with the monitoring exercise and enjoined the public to support the government in its fight against the menace.
He said the war on the deadly virus could only be won if everyone obeys directives and avoids acts or activities that could put everyone at risk, stressing that Lagosians should endeavour to keep their environment clean, wash their hands regularly and avoid unnecessary contact with people as advised by the State government.
