The Traffic

"Lagos Cracks Down: 352 Churches, Mosques, and Others Sealed for Noise Pollution"

In a sweeping move to tackle noise pollution, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has shut down over 352 religious houses, including churches and mosques, alongside other facilities across the state. The crackdown, which took place over the past year, aims to enforce environmental regulations and curb rising levels of noise pollution in the bustling metropolis.

Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, the General Manager of LASEPA, disclosed the figures during a media briefing in his Ikeja office, where he reflected on his agency’s one-year report. According to Ajayi, noise pollution remains a significant issue, with many residents and institutions, especially religious ones, consistently flouting regulations.

"A City Struggling with Compliance"

Ajayi pointed out that while enforcement initially yields compliance, many facilities quickly return to their old habits. “Residents are bad behaved in terms of complying with regulations,” Ajayi said. “One major challenge of noise pollution is that after enforcement, they comply for a while. Before you know it, they go ballistic again and revert to the same offence.”

The problem isn’t unique to Nigeria, he explained, highlighting that globally, people often relapse into bad habits despite penalties. In Lagos, offenders face fines and facility shutdowns, but Ajayi stressed the importance of continual enforcement to maintain control.

Religious Institutions Top Offenders

Religious houses, including churches and mosques, have been identified as the leading culprits in noise pollution across the city. Ajayi noted that the widespread use of loudspeakers and microphones, particularly at bus stops and during religious services, is a major concern. He pointed out that many Christian worshippers even use loudspeakers in public spaces to preach, further contributing to the problem.

"For noise pollution, the religious sector takes the highest share because there is little or no control in terms of how you can set up religious houses under the current regulations," Ajayi remarked. The rapid growth of religious institutions in Lagos has resulted in some streets housing multiple branches of the same church or mosque, exacerbating the noise issue.

Calls for Stronger Policies and Continuous Engagement

To address the growing concern, LASEPA has engaged in continuous dialogue with religious leaders, explaining the dangers of noise pollution. They have advised institutions to maintain noise levels below 60 decibels during services to protect public health and maintain order. Ajayi acknowledged that stronger policies and regulations will be necessary to keep the situation under control.

As the state government ramps up its efforts to enforce environmental laws, the sealing of over 352 facilities serves as a clear message that non-compliance will not be tolerated. With Lagos being one of the busiest and most densely populated cities in Africa, the need for balance between religious freedom and environmental protection has never been more critical.

Yakubu Haruna Yakubu