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Enugu Government Issues 90day Ultimatum To Churches, Mosques To Pulldown External Speakers

Published

4 months ago

August 16, 2024

The Government of Enugu state has issued a 90day ultimatum to all religious centres within the state to remove all external loudspeaker in their centres of worship.

The decision is the resolution of a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday.

The meeting aimed to strenghten the Enugu State Anti-Noise Pollution Policy earlier put in place.

Another resolution of the meeting was for the churches and mosques to install soundproof noise systems within their centres of worship.

At the meeting held by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, church and mosque leaders synergized with state government officials and pratitioners in the media sector in a bid to curb noise pollution in the state.

The Chairman of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, Hon. Uche Anya, acknowledged the receipt of more than 1000 letters of complaints from the state capital and its environs over the noise pollution menace emanating from these worship centres.

“We have received over 1000 petitions from across the state from residential neighbours complaining about their inability to sleep at nights because of the noise pollution emanating from the churches and business operations.

“We call you here to dialogue so that this Policy will be successfully implemented. Enugu State Government will need your active collaboration, support and full understanding to enable us place Enugu State in a position to effectively contain the challenges of urbanisation.

“We must ensure we eliminate noise in the state. We cannot allow any bar with free to air. If you must operate in a residential areas you must put acoustics to ensure that noise from your business and church does not affect your neighbours.

Churches and Mosques are not the only targets of this new policy as, in December 2023, in line with its urban renewal policy, the Enugu state government mandated all night clubs, beer parlours and other entertainment hubs to curb their noise pollution especially in residential areas.