Noise pollution ban: Religious houses, others adamant

By Sunmola Olowookere
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Despite pre-knowledge of the existing laws banning noise pollution in Ondo state, religious centres across the state have continued the use of loud speakers without caution, The Hope investigations have revealed.

In a survey carried out by our correspondents in major towns of the state, it was discovered that religious houses have reverted to mounting of loud speakers on rooftops and outside their buildings after partial compliance with the ban announced by the state government in 2010, to ensure that their activities do not jeopardise the health of people in the neighbourhood.

In major towns like Ikare-Akoko, Owo, Ondo, Okitipupa, Ore and Akure, the state capital, our correspondents gathered that many religious centres especially mosques and newly established pentecostal churches are constantly in the habit of disturbing the people anytime they are worshipping.

However, this practice is not limited to religious houses as cassettes and DVD sellers, ditto those who hawk herbs in vehicles are not left out.

These set of people and others in the habit use horn speakers to advertise their products, not minding the health implications of their action on the citizens.

Lending his voice to the development, a septuagerian, Mr Daniel Awojobi, a resident close to a church in Ijoka road Akure, said activities of the church close to his building especially during vigils have become a source of worry.

Speaking with our reporter in Akure, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Tayo Adeniyi confirmed that there is a law in the state banning noise pollution.

However, he agreed that citizens no longer abide by the dictates of the law.

Adeniyi stated that the state government is still enforcing the law, appealing to people to help their neighbours and look at it from the health perspective which he said isn’t good for most people.

Also speaking on the issue, an Akure – based legal practitioner, Mr. Olaleye Steve Akintububo, opined that pollution is actionable under Nigeria’s law of tort, arguing that this may attract damages upon being proved in a court of law.

He emphasised that anyone who deliberately disturb others is constituting a nuisance, which in simple term is when you constitute a sort of inconvenience to residents in the neighborhood.

Mr. Ola Dan Olawale, Chairman NBA Akure Branch stated that noise pollution is an environmental hazard.

According to him, “National Environmental Standard Regulations Enforcement Act (NESREA) and various Regulations made pursuant to it kick against noise pollution in all forms. Indeed, it is a punishable offence under the law”.

It would be recalled that In 2010, Ondo state government through the Ministry of Environment under the administration of Dr Olusegun Mimiko had moved to penalise noisy religious centres.

The state Ministry for Environment also organised several awareness programmes to sensitise religious centres and people on the need to stop polluting the atmosphere with noise.

The ministry then, had worked in conjunction with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).