Noise Pollution: We can prosecute churches, mosques, says NESREA

*Nigeria’s National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency stresses when consumers are subjected to noise pollution, it leads to several health complications, ranging from hypertension to other diseases

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Citing noise is one of the serious environmental pollutants that adversely affect plants, animals and humans, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has restated that it has the power to prosecute churches and mosques that use loud speakers without control while worshipping in the country.

Prof. Aliyu Jauro, Director-General of NESREA, who noted this Sunday, June 27, 2021, in Abuja, FCT, emphasised that noise is one of the serious environmental pollutants, and noisy places affect plants, animals and human beings, agency report said.

The Director-General of NESREA said: “Once they are subjected to the noise, it leads to a lot of health problems ranging from hypertension to other diseases. So, as an agency, we have a specific regulation on noise control.

“What we do as an agency is that we go out to ensure compliance. There are a lot of activities people engage that affect the environment and individuals. We receive complaints from a lot of people.”

Prof. Jauro further stated: “For instance, places like churches, mosques, even industries are causing a lot of noise which we receive complaints from people, so we do visit such areas, sensitising them about the problem people are facing.

“We also advise them on how they can go about their activities without polluting the environment by the noise. We carry out enforcement when the need arises.”

On how the agency handles such complaints, he stressed that “all these provisions are there in our regulations, there is a provision for fine first, when we receive a complaint we go there and look at the complaint.

“Then, we go back and serve another compliance notice. We will do that about two times, the third one, we can take either the facility or individual to the court of law.

“But most of the time, we try to see that we resolve the matter amicably with those responsible.

“We do make sure we resolve those disputes, but if they persist, yes, we can sanction the offenders, and also take them to court of law and some of them can be judged.”

He, therefore, called for effective sensitisation by relevant environmental stakeholders to curb environmental pollution in Nigeria.

The sensitisation would help the public to understand the havoc pollution was causing both to humans, animals, plants, as well as the environment, he stated.

Jauro explained that “sensitisation is the key, people don’t even know the impact of this noise pollution so we always try to sensitise the public.

“There is need to sensitise and educate the public on environmental issues so that everybody will key-in to support NESREA so that we will have a cleaner and healthier environment.”

He also urged Nigerians to ensure they comply with environmental rules and regulations.

There should be a noise limit in worship centres, industries, and social gatherings, among others, the NESREA Chief advised.

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