Lagos Shuts Down Over 350 Religious Facilities for Noise Pollution

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has announced the closure of over 352 religious facilities, including churches and mosques, in the past year due to noise pollution and other environmental violations.

Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager of LASEPA, disclosed this during a press briefing in Ikeja, emphasizing the persistent challenges in enforcing noise regulations.

“Residents are poorly behaved in terms of complying with regulations,” Ajayi stated, highlighting that noise pollution remains a significant issue. He noted, “After enforcement, they comply for a while, but soon return to their old habits.”

Ajayi explained that penalties, including fines and facility closures, are crucial to ensuring compliance.

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“There is no city in the world that does not leverage fines and penalties for violations. There must be consequences for actions,” he added, acknowledging that the problem is not unique to Nigeria but a global issue.

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The use of loudspeakers at bus stops and religious venues was identified as a major contributor to noise pollution, with Ajayi noting, “The religious sector takes the highest share of complaints due to the lack of control over the establishment of religious houses.”

LASEPA has engaged with representatives of religious institutions to discuss the impact of noise pollution, advising them to maintain sound levels below 60 decibels during services.

“We do this engagement regularly,” he said, reiterating the importance of decorum in public worship.