Lagos State: Noisy Churches, Mosques Sealed Over Noise Pollution

• The Lagos State Government is increasing enforcement against religious centers and entertainment venues for noise pollution.
• The All Christians Gathering Ministry and Ifelodun Mosque were recently sealed due to noise violations.
• LASEPA General Manager Dr. Tunde Ajayi confirmed regulations apply to all establishments, with residential noise limits of 55 dB day and 45 dB night.
• Enforcement follows a four-stage process, including warnings, and targets facilities that ignored previous notices.
• While some religious leaders support the action, others oppose the sealing of worship centers, prompting the government to dismiss claims of selective justice.

Under the state's environmental laws, permissible noise levels in residential areas are strictly set at 55 decibels during daytime hours and a more stringent 45 decibels at night.

The Lagos State Government has affirmed its commitment to intensifying enforcement against religious institutions and entertainment venues that disregard established noise pollution regulations. This declaration follows recent actions, including the sealing of The All Christians Gathering Ministry in Surulere, Lagos, after state officials confirmed its late-night activities were causing significant disruption to local residents' sleep patterns. The closure was publicly announced by Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, who stated that an investigation substantiated the church's violation of environmental standards and its creation of a public nuisance.

The enforcement against The All Christians Gathering Ministry, located at No. 1, Ishola Street, off Clegg, Surulere, was prompted by a public complaint lodged on X by a user identified as DAVERY (@BigDavery). The user reported being unable to sleep at 1:31 am due to escalating noise, suggesting it might be deliberate. Commissioner Wahab also shared photographic evidence of a similar enforcement operation by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) at the Ifelodun Mosque, which also resulted in its sealing, underscoring the non-discriminatory nature of the state's efforts to curb noise pollution across Lagos.

Dr. Tunde Ajayi, the General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), has clarified that the noise regulations are not exclusively aimed at religious centers but apply broadly to all establishments utilizing public address systems. Under the state's environmental laws, permissible noise levels in residential areas are strictly set at 55 decibels during daytime hours and a more stringent 45 decibels at night. LASEPA's enforcement strategy involves a structured four-stage process: initially issuing an abatement notice, followed by a pre-sanction notice, before proceeding to the sealing of non-compliant facilities and the imposition of fines.

Dr. Ajayi further noted that facilities recently subjected to sealing had previously disregarded two formal warnings from the agency. He also highlighted that LASEPA would take action against mosques where the call to prayer exceeds the stipulated five-minute duration. This comprehensive approach to Nigeria noise regulations religious buildings and other entities aims to ensure that commercial and spiritual activities do not unduly infringe upon the peace and quiet of the general populace, emphasizing that businesses, particularly entertainment houses, should not disrupt residents' lives or wake them from sleep with excessive noise.

The government's robust stance on noise pollution has garnered mixed reactions from religious leaders and the public. While the Lagos chapters of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), alongside Sheikh Imran Eleha, the Chief Imam of the Daaru Na’im Central Mosque in Lagos, have expressed support for the enforcement, acknowledging the importance of respecting residents' right to peace, not all leaders share this view. Daood Molaasan, the National President of Jama’at Ta’awunil Muslimeen, voiced opposition to the closure of worship centers, advocating for the government to explore alternative solutions.

Social media platforms witnessed considerable debate, with some users accusing the state government of selective justice and persecution of religious groups. However, Commissioner Wahab firmly refuted these allegations, reiterating that the enforcement exercise is impartial and not directed against any specific religious community. He urged residents to continue reporting legitimate instances of noise pollution, assuring that LASEPA would investigate and sanction more facilities following due process, reinforcing the state's commitment to maintaining environmental standards across Lagos.

Lawyers advising religious institutions, entertainment venues, and businesses in Lagos must ensure client compliance with LASEPA noise pollution regulations, specifically the 55 decibel day and 45 decibel night limits, to avoid enforcement actions such as sealing and fines. Compliance officers should review operational practices and be aware of the four-stage enforcement process.

Source: Original reporting via Sunday PUNCH