Lagos State Government Cracks Down on Noisy Churches and Mosques

The Lagos State Government has intensified its crackdown on noisy churches and mosques, sealing The All Christians Gathering Ministry in Surulere, Lagos, over alleged noise pollution. The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the closure in a post on X, saying an investigation confirmed that the church violated environmental regulations and constituted a nuisance to residents. This move has generated controversy on social media, with some users accusing the state government of persecution of churches and selective justice.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Tunde Ajayi, has stated that the agency would continue to sanction facilities exceeding permissible noise levels after investigations and necessary warnings. According to him, the permissible noise levels in residential areas are set at 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night under state environmental laws. The LASEPA general manager said the facilities sealed recently had ignored two previous warnings from the agency.

The Lagos chapters of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria have backed the state government's enforcement of noise pollution regulations. The CAN Chairman in the state, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, said churches had no justification for disturbing residents with loud noise, particularly during late-night services and vigils in residential areas. He urged religious centres to adjust the volume of their loudspeakers to suit the size of their congregations.

However, not all religious leaders agree with the government's action. The National President of Jama’at Ta’awunil Muslimeen, Daood Molaasan, opposed the closure of worship centres, suggesting that the government should consider alternative measures. In contrast, the Chief Imam of the Daaru Na’im Central Mosque in Lagos, Sheikh Imran Eleha, supported the government's action, saying that places of worship must respect residents' rights to peace and quiet.

The enforcement action is part of a broader effort to address noise pollution in Lagos State. Ajayi outlined four stages of enforcement, beginning with an abatement notice, followed by a pre-sanction notice, before the sealing of defaulting facilities and the imposition of fines. He urged residents to report genuine cases of noise pollution, assuring them that more facilities would be sanctioned following investigations and the issuance of warnings.

The state government has also sealed the Ifelodun Mosque during an enforcement operation by LASEPA. The government has warned that it will not tolerate noise pollution from any source, including religious centres and entertainment businesses. The move has been welcomed by some residents, who have complained about the disruption caused by noisy churches and mosques.

The government's crackdown on noisy churches and mosques is expected to continue, with more facilities likely to be sealed in the coming days. Key stakeholders, including Christian and Islamic leaders, have been urged to work with the government to address noise pollution complaints and promote peaceful coexistence among residents.

Key points

• The Lagos State Government has sealed The All Christians Gathering Ministry in Surulere, Lagos, over alleged noise pollution.
• The government's enforcement exercise has generated controversy on social media, with some users accusing the state government of persecution of churches and selective justice.
• The Lagos chapters of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria have backed the state government's enforcement of noise pollution regulations.