Lagos State environmental body shuts about 53 churches and mosques over noise pollution

ENVIRONMENTAL health officials in Lagos State have shut down 53 religious houses and hotels over noise pollution and other offences as part of a drive to combat the incessant blaring from loudspeakers.

 

In a major crackdown, no fewer than 53 churches, mosques and hotels across the state have been shut over noise pollution and other environmental offences. Some of the sealed religious centres were accused of converting residential apartments to places of worship, constituting a nuisance to local residents.

 

Adebola Shabi, the general manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (Lasepa), said the agency had been inundated with complaints from residents and neighbours of the shut facilities. He explained that some of the affected facilities had been served abatement notices before the eventual closure, adding that the growing rate of establishment of worship centres called for serious regulations, especially in the areas of noise generated across the state.

 

Mr Shabi said: “In recent times, most of the petitions kept coming to us. It was as if we are not working at all, so that was why we shut the facilities.”

 

He added that some of the noise-making worship centres were usually makeshift structures. However, Mr Shabi observed that the compliance level was increasing, saying more residents had understood the effect of noise pollution, while some religious houses had complied with the regulations.

 

“You cannot have makeshift structures and say you want to be conducting services or vigils there. Definitely, you will be disturbing your neighbours, so, the government won’t allow the use of makeshift structures as a church or mosque.

 

“Nobody is allowed to make a noise above 55 decibels during the day in residential areas and only 45 decibels is allowed in such areas at night. In industrial areas, 90 decibels of noise level is allowed during the day, while the noise rate must not exceed 80 decibels at night,” Mr Shabi added.

 

He pointed out that the hotels were shut for failing to conduct and submit Environmental Impact Assessment reports. According to Mr Shabi added, the state government would also not condone improper disposal of sewage, saying the usage of old latrines was now unacceptable.