Pollution: Enugu State Government gives churches, mosques 90 days to remove their outdoor loudspeakers

The Enugu State government has issued a 90-day ultimatum to all churches and mosques in the state to remove outdoor loudspeakers and install soundproofing (acoustic) measures within their worship centres.

The decision was made during a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday, aimed at implementing the Enugu State Anti-Noise Pollution Policy. The meeting, organised by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, brought together Christian and Muslim leaders, government officials, and media practitioners to address noise pollution in the state.

It is reported that the state government had in December 2023 as part of its urban renewal policy, directed all night clubs, beer parlours and other entertainment operators to mitigate their noise pollution in the capital city, particularly in residential areas.

However, in his address during the engagement, the Chairman of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, Hon. Uche Anya, lamented that his office has received over 1000 letters of complaints from around the state capital over noise pollution from different churches. He said that noise pollution is the biggest challenge in Enugu state capital today and we cannot continue that way.

“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.