Lagos (AFP) – Authorities in Nigeria’s financial capital Lagos
have shut down churches across the city after a glut of
complaints over noisy worship.
The chaotic megacity’s environmental protection
department said it had sealed off 22 premises on
Wednesday after receiving dozens of calls a day, according
to local newspaper reports.
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 national daily 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.”
Religion is big business in Lagos, a city of around 20 million
which has seen more than 6,000 traditional and alternative
places of worship spring up in recent years, according to the
authorities.
Shabi said the churches would be allowed to reopen after
paying fines starting at 50,000 naira ($250, 225 euros).

Wow
Reminds me of one MFM church on my street that specialized in holding vigils every night. Na so 'die die die' person will be hearing every night.