LAGOS State government officials have shot down 70 churches and 20 mosques as part of the ongoing clampdown against noise pollution which has come to characterise the state with a faith house on virtually every street corner.
Over recent years, Lagos has become the city with the largest number of places of worship in the world, with churches and mosques springing up on every street corner. This has created an environmental problem, however, as the loudspeakers installed on such premises blare out noise, which has created problems for local residents.
Seeking to address the problem, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (Lasepa) has decided to act, shutting down 70 churches, 20 mosques, 11 hotels, club houses and beer parlours. Bola Shabi, Lasepa's general manager, said that henceforth, the state government would no longer allow make-shift buildings to be used as places of worship.
Mr Shabi added: “Precisely about 70 churches, 20 mosques and about 11 hotels, club houses and beer parlours were shut and we’ve given them some directives to follow. We’ve been so strict now that we are not going to even allow make-shift churches in the state any longer.
“What I mean by make-shift, using tents and uncompleted building we are not going to allow the any further in the state. However, I will strongly tell you that the level of compliance is more on the mosque area because immediately you shut them, they instantly bring down their speakers or reduce the noise they make.’’
He pointed out that Lasepa planned to reduce noise in the state to 70% in the short term and then to 0% by the year 2020. Mr Shabi added that with Lagos aiming for the status of a mega city by 2020, this had become imperative.
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