Crossover Night: FCTA insists on 50% capacity for worship centres

By Stanley Onyekwere

Barely 24-hour to new year eve religious ritual popularly known as crossover night, the Federal Capital Territory Administration ( FCTA) has reaffirmed that it’s directive that all religious and social gatherings be limited to 50% of the hall capacity remains very sacrosanct and enforceable.

In particular, the FCTA urged worship centres planning an elaborate crossover night “ to obey instituted authorities and adhere strictly to the recommended preventive  measures and health guidelines.

Making this point during an interview with newsmen, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Monitoring,  Inspection and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah,  noted that the surge in new cases of  COVID-19 was alarming, hence the administration would not fold it’s arms and watch.

Attach also reiterated that the ban on nightclubs and other social gatherings where physical distancing and non pharmaceutical protocols can’t be achieved, remains in force.

He however, disclosed that on 26th December alone, the city recorded an alarmingly disturbing 806 New cases,  while on the 27th the new cases were 57. 

He added that the report on Tuesday 28th December,  with 80 new cases were recorded in the nation’s capital, was not a cheering news, and that there must be government and all stakeholders’  effective collaboration to tackle the pandemic.

According to him,  FCT Ministers had at different occasions met with religious leaders and other stakeholders, creating synergy against the deadly pandemic, and also reiterating their commitments  to keeping Abuja safe and secured.

While appealing to religious leaders and  residents to ensure complete compliance with all the Covid-19 guidelines issued by the Health and Human Services Secretariat last week, he noted that enforcement team would be mobilised to track down violators who will be made to face the laws of the land. 

He added that the administration will continue to everything necessary to have a healthy and prosperous capital city that is free from diseases and all manner of anti human elements in the new year.