Lagos Reportedly Shuts Down Dozens of Churches Over Noise Pollution

According to a Yahoo News report, authorities in Lagos have shut down dozens of churches across the city due to a deluge of complaints over noisy worship.

The city’s environmental protection department is said to have sealed off 22 premises on Wednesday after receiving dozens of complaints from residents.

Also, the report further states:

Neighbours of one church –Jesus Our Lord Divine Catholic Prayer Ministry – said they were constantly disturbed by a congregation of mainly pregnant women, young mothers and their children.

“On my phone alone, I get 20 SMS on a daily basis,” said Adebola Shabi, head of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, according to the nationalDaily New Telegraph.

In the next five years, if there is no stringent policy on the siting of religious houses, there will be problem.”

Constant noise — from the the thumping beats of loud music, the beep of car horns and the noise of generator engines — is the soundtrack to Lagos life and is seen by many as part of its charm.

But residents are complaining in unprecedented numbers that they can barely hear themselves think among the churches and mosques where giant loudspeakers pump out religious messages and music.

Officials receive around 50 telephone calls and 20 text messages a day complaining about noise, mostly from churches, the New Telegraph said.

“With the enforcement today, we would have sealed about 55 premises because the last enforcement we carried out, we shut 33 premises,” Shabi told reporters.

“I gave approval for closure of 22 premises today, making 55.”