By: Adeosun Ewatomi
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has shut down over 352 facilities, including places of worship, across various parts of the state in the last year due to noise pollution and other environmental violations.
The General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, revealed this during a press conference where he provided a report on his agency's activities.
Ajayi stated that residents often fail to comply with environmental regulations, particularly when it comes to noise pollution. He said that while they comply for a while after enforcement action, they soon revert to their "bad behavior" and go back to the same offenses.
The agency relies on fines and facility shutdowns to compel compliance, as there must be consequences for environmental infractions. Ajayi acknowledged that this is a global challenge, as people tend to return to their undesirable practices.
Ajayi identified the use of microphones at bus stops and in religious establishments as a major concern, with even Christian worshippers using loudspeakers and microphones to preach in public spaces.
The religious sector is the biggest contributor to noise pollution, as there is little control over how religious facilities can be set up under the current regulations. Ajayi stated that the agency has had conversations with representatives of religious houses to explain the issue of noise pollution and the need to maintain acceptable decibel levels during services.
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