The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has revealed that it has closed down over 352 facilities, including religious establishments, across the state over the past year due to noise pollution and other environmental violations.
This was disclosed by Dr Babatunde Ajayi, the General Manager of LASEPA, during a press briefing held at the agency’s office in Ikeja, where he presented a report on his stewardship over the last year.
Dr Ajayi expressed concern over the recurrent non-compliance by residents with noise regulations, describing the behaviour as a significant challenge. He noted that while some establishments initially adhere to the noise limits following enforcement actions, they often revert to the same violations soon after.
He stated: “Residents are poorly behaved when it comes to complying with regulations. One major challenge of noise pollution is that after enforcement, they comply for a while, but before long, they revert to the same offence. Then we have to start the process again. The reason we manage to ensure temporary compliance is that they pay fines and we shut them down.”
Highlighting the global nature of the issue, Dr Ajayi added, “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 revert to bad behaviour.”
He identified the use of loudspeakers and microphones, especially at bus stops and religious houses, as a major concern. Religious establishments, he said, remain the most frequent offenders in terms of noise pollution, largely due to a lack of control over the establishment of such facilities under current regulations.
“It takes a strong-willed policy to manage this. In Nigeria today, some churches want to have two branches on a single street or mosques set up close to each other,” Dr Ajayi explained. “We have had conversations with representatives of religious houses about why noise pollution is a serious issue and the importance of maintaining sound levels below 60 decibels during services. This is not only for public peace but also to protect the health of the congregants themselves.”
He emphasised that LASEPA regularly engages with religious organisations to educate them on the dangers of excessive noise and the need for decorum, urging them to prioritise the well-being of the wider community.
The agency’s efforts highlight the ongoing struggle to balance freedom of worship and community activities with the need to maintain a peaceful and healthy environment for all Lagos residents.
