Over 352 mosques, churches, others sealed in Lagos

More than 352 buildings, including houses of worship, were shut by authorities from the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) during the last year owing to environmental infractions and noise pollution, the agency said on Tuesday.

Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, the general manager of LASEPA during a press briefing in his office in Ikeja, expressed worry concerning residents’ lack of adherence to regulations.

According to him, a significant problem with noise pollution is that even though actions are enforced, it would not be long that individuals would revert to their previous disruptive behaviours.

Ajayi disclosed this as he presented a one-year report on his administration.

The LASEPA general manager added: “Then we start the process again. The reason we have them to comply for a while is because they pay fines, and we shut them down.

“There is no city in the world that does not leverage fines and penalties for violations. There must be consequences for actions.

“It’s not only Nigeria’s problem, it is global. People tend to go back to bad behaviour.

“The use of microphones also at bus stops and religious houses a primary concern. Even Christian worshippers come out with loudspeakers and microphones to preach in public.

“For noise pollution, the religious sector takes the highest because there is little or no control in terms of how you can set up religious houses according to our current regulations.

“It takes a strong-willed policy to have that in control. In Nigeria today, some churches want to have two branches on a street or Mosques.

“We have had conversations with representatives of religious houses about why noise pollution is a bad idea and why they need to maintain less than 60 decibels for decorum during service, and the danger they are causing to the public as well as themselves. We do this engagement regularly.”