31st October, 2017
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Lagos State Government has issued 90-day ultimatum to religious houses located in residential areas in the state to soundproof their premises or risk closure as the State’s zero tolerance to noise pollution is still in force.
This ultimatum was given by the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Samuel Adejare at a dialogue meeting with the representatives of Churches in Magodo residential estates in Alausa, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Tuesday.
He said that government had been inundated with complaints by residents of the estates on noise emanating from the activities of the religious houses in the area.
The commissioner stressed that it was high time religious houses operated in manners that rights of their neighbours would be respected as noise pollution infringed on the wellbeing of others.
His words: “The paramount commandment is: love God and love your neighbor as yourselves”
Adejare observed with dismay the proliferation of religious worship centres in various residential areas in the State and called for caution on their noise level to avoid rancour in the society, stating that any noise above the approved noise levels contravened the provisions of the National Environmental Noise Standard and Controls regulations 2009 as well as the Lagos State Environmental Laws 2017.
“Various structures ranging from residential plots, uncompleted buildings, open spaces, shops and motor parks are being converted to religious worship centres. This situation is not befitting for a mega city like Lagos,” he said.
He, therefore, sought the cooperation of religious centres on the maintenance of the acceptable noise levels for residential areas, which is 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night, saying that they were expected to operate in an enclosed and soundproof environment with regulated use of speakers.