Lagos Moves Against Noise Pollution, Bans Amplifiers, Megaphones At Motor Parks
BY CHINYERE OBIORA, LAGOS – In a bold move to reduce noise pollution in its domain, the Lagos State Government has banned the use of amplifiers, microphones, megaphones at motor parks across the state.
According to the government, the rate of noise pollution, especially in public places, has become so worrisome, given that it is the most prevalent of the complaints received annually, accounting for about 75 per cent of total complaints.
Addressing a news conference in Ikeja on Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji said the complaints were mostly anthropogenic, and not limited to transport, religious, commercial, industrial, entertainment, and power generating, among other sources.
He explained that noise pollution, which is an unwanted sound in excess of the permissible limits, has become very prevalent in the Lagos environment, saying; ”The menace is causing stress with severe health implications, while those with long term exposure will be suffering from hearing loss that is detrimental to human health.
”Adults are believed to be the ones thought to show great concerns from problems associated with noise pollution, but children are quite vulnerable as well, more so as there are no known visible symptoms at an early age.”
Dr Gaji further said; ”Citizens are better informed of their rights to a safe and healthy environment following various advocacy programmes of the agency through electronic and print media. The most widely being the social media handles of the agency and its website.”
Adding his voice to address the problem, General Manager of LASEPA, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, said from Wednesday, (today), it has become illegal for any motor park in Lagos to make use of sound amplifiers and other noise-making devices while calling on passengers.
She warned that any park found violating the order would face the wrath of the law, adding that section 177, sub-section 2 of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017, prohibits the use of public address system or loudspeaker to solicit for passengers or advertise the sale of goods at parks, markets and public places.
Fasawe, who explained that there was a defined limit of decibel of noise required in the daytime and night, said anyone flouting the new directive would face severe sanctions.
On the penalties for violation, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Oluwatoyin Fayinka, said any park that contravenes the new order would be shut immediately with the transporters and parks’ managers facing the full wrath of the law.
Fayinka said a Motor Parks Monitoring Committee has been mandated to go round the parks to ensure compliance across the state.
By the World Health Organization (WHO)’s standard, not all sound is considered noise pollution. WHO defines noise above 65 decibels (dB) as noise pollution. To be precise, noise becomes harmful when it exceeds 75 decibels (dB) and is painful above 120 dB.
The media interaction was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, through the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and the Ministry of Transportation.
