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As the world marks International Noise Awareness Day , the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA has vowed to intensify war against noise pollution, saying that Lagosians deserve the right for the protection of their hearing and good health.
The agency which also said that it received and treated over 912 complaints on noise pollution across the state, said that it would ensure that new entertainment and religious facilities are sound proofed before granting approval, while Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) shall be conducted on existing buildings to ensure structural stability.
Speaking at the event organisedd by the agency to commemorate 2021 International Noise Awareness Day, Fasawe reiterated the state government’s determined at ensuring noiseless environment through the implementation of the relevant laws by the agency against perpetrators of noise pollution. She charged concerned sectors to critically appraise their activities and develop noise management strategies to guide against uncoordinated activities under the guise of business interest.
Fasawe said that LASEPA would ensure that new entertainment and religious facilities are sound proofed before granting approval, while Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) shall be conducted on existing buildings to ensure structural capability and failure to abide attracts strict consequences.
She described the theme of the event titled: “Protect your Hearing; Protect Your Health,” held virtually as apt, saying that there was an urgent need to address the negative impact of noise on hearing. She added that the health and quality of life of citizens promotes peaceful environment which is in tandem with the T.H.E.M.Es pillars of the state.
She said: “All over the world, the last Wednesday of the month of April is celebrated annually as the International Noise Awareness Day, with a view to sensitize the public on the importance of noise Pollution control, its implication on human health and serve as a call for action and collaboration between regulators and stakeholders to collectively curb the menace and promote a healthy culture for a serene environment, synonymous of smart cities, like Lagos. While it is understandable that noise is an essential component of urban development that cannot be totally eliminated, it can be controlled to an acceptable level.”
According to her, government is disposed to fundamental right of individuals to religion of choice, right to fellowship, entrepreneur drives, but with total consideration and respect for the right of others to a reasonable quiet environment and peaceful living. All activities that tend to promote disunity, disaffection and chaos amongst the residents must be totally shunned.
She listed the following as part of measures to be taken by the government to regulate noise and which include implementing policies and regulations to enforce and restrict the use of noisy generators, indiscriminate use of sirens, vehicle horns in certain places and use of loudspeakers in public places.
While declaring the summit open, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Environmental services, Mrs. Belinda Aderonke Odeneye, called for cooperation and support of all in the fight against noise pollution as the government alone could not do so. She commended LASEPA for not relenting on its soars to bequeath people in a friendly and conducive environment devoid of environmental hazards. She
The panelists, who were drawn from various interest sectors such as religion, entertainment, industrial and hospitality, unanimously agreed that their practices should be guided by doctrine of good neighborliness with due consideration for the host community and further expressed their readiness to support the government in achieving its objective by complying with laid down regulations of the state.
Also speaking on the war against noise pollution during the 2021 ministerial briefing, Dr Fasawe said the agency might be forced to impose as much as N5000 and N1 million on the worship cenLwho refuses to comply with noise regulation.
