The Enugu State Government has given all the churches and mosques in the state 90 days to remove outdoor loudspeakers and install soundproofing measures within their worship centres.
The decision was reached on Thursday, during a stakeholders’ engagement with the Christian and Muslim leaders in the state and state government on the implementation of the Enugu State Anti-Noise Pollution Policy.
The collaborative meeting organised by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority was attended by church leaders, media practitioners, government officials, and Muslim leaders in the state.
After the meeting, the Chairman of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, Uche Anya, gave the ultimatum.
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He said, “From now to the next three months every church and mosque must remove outside loudspeakers and begin to install soundproof (acoustic) in their worship centres.”
The government had in 2023 as part of the 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.
Addressing the stakeholders, Anya, said that noise pollution has become the biggest challenge for the state.
He lamented that his office has received over 1,000 petitions over noise pollution from different churches, mosques, and businesses around their homes.
“I have been in this office for one year and in the last year we have received over a thousand petitions complaining about noise pollution.
“Noise pollution from Independence Layout to GRA, from GRA to Trans- Ekulu, from Trans-Ekulu to Agbani Road, from Agbani Road to Abakpa Nike, from Abakpa Nike to Ugwuaji, from Ugwuaji to name it to Mayor people are in pains,” he stated.