9th February, 2020
The Lagos State Government has appealed to residents of the State, particularly the leisure and entertainment business operators to be compliant with environmental laws guiding their operations during the forth coming Valentine’s day celebration, urging them to “spread love and not noise”
This appeal was contained in a statement jointly released by the duo of General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, Dr Dolapo Fasawe and Director General, Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola in Ikeja.
The statement enjoined the public, particularly the owners of event centres, leisure, hospitality and entertainment facilities who planned to organise or host events to consider the environment and safety of the people by obtaining necessary permits which allows them to operate in a friendly and safe environment.
Recalling that the Valentine’s day is celebrated all over the world as a day specifically set aside for expressing love, the statement warned against activities that could be harmful or sow seed of hate rather than love.
“The message of St Valentine is to spread love, friendship with motive to promote harmony, unity and peaceful relationship through love, perseverance, tolerance and selfless actions. if our deed contradicts the reason for the celebration and impose unnecessary hardship on our supposed friends and allies, then we have failed to observe the tenets of St Valentine.. The statement noted.
“We cannot separate noise from celebrations but we can do the needful by operating within approved decibels thereby reducing the negative effects of noise pollution on everyone. As a matter of fact, noise and mega cities are interrelated, for our social life and economic development, Leisure business owners are advised not to cut corners but to obtain permit and operate within the prescribed noise standard, failure to abide attract serious consequences,” Fasawe reiterated.