LAGOS GOVERNMENT SEALS EIGHT WORSHIP CENTRES

The shut centre  are located at 68, Old Ota Road, Orile Agege; 4, Ademola Oshinowo Street, Off Love Street, Ketu; 1 Dele Amuda Street, Lekki,  17, Ajileye Street, Ilaje Bariga; 39, Kusenla Road, Elegushi and Ajayi Bembe Street Abule Oja, Yaba, among others.

Penpushing further reports that, the General Manager explained that mutual respect of views, culture and religion, which the annual tolerance day celebration symbolised, must be adhered to by all residents to foster peace.

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), boss noted that religious organisations were supposed to demonstrate good conduct, tolerance, brotherliness and good neighbourliness, but lamented that the conduct of some overzealous churches and mosques had caused frictions in the society.

Penpushing also reports that, Fasawe  gave assurance to residents of the State that  the agency would not rest on its oars in bequeathing a good ambience to all inhabitants, adding, “those recalcitrant organisations or worship centres, known to be disturbing the peace of Lagos residents, will face the full wrath of the law.

“In as much as the state government is positively disposed to the peaceful conduct of religion of choice by its citizens, it does not condone infringements on the rights of other residents in the name of religious activities.

“The agency is inundated with petitions and outcry from residents over the insensitivity and intolerance of some religious outlets in different parts of the state. LASEPA regrettably notes that several warnings issued to the management of these centres have not yield the result,” Fasawe said.

The Agency General Manager emphasized that, the State Government recognises the fact that the State thrives on peaceful co-existence among practitioners of the religions, stressing, “but of great concern to the state government is the need for religious activities to be conducted in a manner that worshippers will not infringe on others’ rights,’’

Penpushing reports that Fasawe added that the illegal and unauthorised conversion of residential property into religious uses without recourse to the wellbeing of others and the state environment law was bad, declaring that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was against such inhuman act of social intolerance in the name of worship that could breach the peace in the state.

The General Manager, however, explained that for the sealed centres to be reopened, the leaders of those organisations must reach an agreement of compliance with the State and also satisfy other necessary conditions as might be prescribed by the agency.