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By John Ogunsemore
The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has said that providing comfortable worship centres for people to hear the word of God is the only way to control and reduce crime in society.
According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the governor said this during a Sallah solidarity visit by a delegation led by the Vice President General and Chairman, Association of South-South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor to Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.
Uhor is also chairman of the Rivers State Council for Islamic Affairs (RSCIA).
The Muslim community in Rivers State was said to have complained about the section where Muslims bury their dead within the Port Harcourt cemetery and requested to be allowed to build a mosque within the Rivers State University premises for their worshippers.
The governor assured the delegation that he would investigate to get at the true position before taking decisions.
“But that of the state worship centre, we will do something about it immediately. We are doing it because the only way for us to control and reduce crime is when we have comfortable places where the word of God is preached to people who go and listen to learn.
“Whether we like it or not, it is not a mistake when you see churches. It is not a mistake when you see a lot of mosques. It helps to reduce crime because when people go to worship centres, they listen to the word and the fear of God comes.
“Some evil actions are curtailed compared to when you are not even hearing anything, and what is available to you is just the opportunity to commit crime only. So, we will make sure that we create a very conducive place for your worship because we know that at the end, it is going to be a win-win for our State,” the governor said.
Fubara advised the Muslim faithful to continue to obey the law and work harmoniously with other residents, assuring that the state government will continue supporting them.
