Naira Marley’s concert: FCT minister vows to prosecute those involved

.Says no party or concert worth your life

The FCT Administration has charged residents of the Territory to take personal responsibility for their health and desist from violating the extant guidelines put in place to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the Territory as no party nor concert is worth their lives.

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Reacting to the illegal music concert held at the Jabi Lake Mall on Saturday, June 13, by a popular hip hop star, Naira Marley, the FCT minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, reiterated the administration’s commitment to protect the lives of the residents in the Territory even as he vowed to prosecute all those involved in orchestrating the infractions to the full extent of the law.

Speaking further, Malam Bello said the FCT Administration views the actions of the organisers and attendees at this concert as reckless, wicked, insensitive and utter disrespect and disregard both for the law and the wellbeing and welfare of fellow citizens.

“Videos of the event which are still circulating on social media clearly showed a concert going on with music and live performances by a band and dancers. The video also showed attendees dancing to the live performances on the elaborately constructed stage,” Bello said.

The Minister also noted that there is a very real possibility that a single positive individual at that event could by now have gone ahead to infect several others thereby leading to a possible exponential spread.

Furthermore, he reminded residents that COVID-19 is real and the disease has proven to be fatal. More worrisome he said, is the fact that the number of new infections has been on the rise in the country and the FCT.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the non-adherence to basic-COVID-19 guidelines, the minister said: “It is disheartening to see residents not adhering to even the basic guidelines of facial covering, social distancing and hand washing or sanitizing. These guidelines have been put in place in order to save and safeguard lives.

“Adherence to the guidelines could be the difference between life and death. This therefore begs the question; whether that concert or party which is clearly against the law is worth the health or life of a citizen. Clearly, no concert or party is worth the life of anyone”.

However, he encouraged residents to report to the relevant authorities when they notice infractions of the guidelines as the FCT Administration will embark on stricter enforcement measures.

For purposes of emphasis, the PTF and FCTA’s guidelines clearly states that: “There shall be no gathering of more than 20 people outside of a workplace or places of worship.

“There should be mandatory use of face masks when in public. There should be social distancing of at least 2 meters between 2 people while in public. There is a ban on all congregational events such as parties, weddings, concerts, etc.

“There is a closure of all clubs, bars, gardens, beer parlors, recreational parks, communal sports facilities, movie theaters and so on. Markets and business premises are to remain open between 8 am and 3 pm. There is a ban on interstate travel.”