It is sad how the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) is now considered a toothless bulldog by places of worship all across Lagos State. According to the Laws of Lagos State, the acceptable noise level is between 45 and 55 decibels. However, this is not the case as most residential areas have been taken over by places of worship thereby creating noise levels above 85 decibels.

According to studies, Noise induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) accounts for 40% of those that have gone partially deaf today. Constant exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing damage. Overtime, the hair cell’s hair-like stereocilia may get damaged or broken with constant noise exposure. If enough of them are damaged, hearing loss results. The high frequency area of the cochlea is often damaged by loud sounds.

As a law abiding citizen and a tax payer, I demand more protection from the Lagos State Government. The current trend across the state where anyone that has a megaphone and can rent a shop or erect a canopy decides to unleash untold level of discomfort on the innocent citizens of the state should be checked and nipped in the bud.

There should be zero tolerance for any worship center constituting forms of noise related nuisance across the state.

Tonnes of complaints have been sent to the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency but we have seen little or no action; thereby sending a message to others that lawlessness can thrive in the state and they can set up more church branches in residential areas as the state is not bothered about their activities.

Noise levels across the UK is controlled by the Department for Environment , Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and they swing into action within minutes of filing a complaint on noise pollution. Why we cannot have same here still baffles me. LASEPA can not claim they are understaffed considering the number of unemployed graduates roaming around the streets of Lagos.

I Live on Olufemi Kolawole Street in off Ago Palace way in Okota, Lagos State. Right beside my house is a mountain of Fire Church. The church auditorium is in an open space and they have speakers mounted all over the auditorium. This church determines when I sleep and when I wake up everyday as they hold church activities EVERYDAY! They also hold night vigils from 10pm-5am and we all stay awake till the vigil is over. We have made series of appeals to the leadership of the church but rather than do the needful, they called us occultic people. Every Sunday, as early as 6:30am the loud noise starts; waking up everyone in the neighborhood. Service holds every evening also. After work, it is almost impossible to relax at home as the noise level generated by their evening activities is killing. It is so bad that I have to go into my bedroom wardrobe to take my calls each time I am at home and they are having anyone of their activities.

This is calling on the MD/CEO of LASEPA to use his good office and come to our aid. We deserve some level of protection from you Sir as this trend is a major health issue that can be likened to the Ebola/Lassa fever scourge. The impact of constant and long exposure to the kind of noise we Lagosians endure in our homes is having a negative impact on our well being as most people today have hearing and mental issues caused by long exposures to noise caused by people that do not respect the Laws of the land.

LASEPA is not really efficient in curbing the menace of noise pollution. I once reported a C&S temple where they would make noise from morning to evening, only for LASEPA to call me back after 2 months while I was at work, asking me to lead them to the place. . . meanwhile they had the address.

A lot of those Government agencies have staff that just wanna sit around and gossip all day!

blackberlin:
LASEPA is not really efficient in curbing the menace of noise pollution. I once reported a C&S temple where they would make noise from morning to evening, only for LASEPA to call me back after 2 months while I was at work, asking me to lead them to the place. . . meanwhile they had the address.

A lot of those Government agencies have staff that just wanna sit around and gossip all day!

This is worrying! What do we now do if the Government can not protect us? Do we take laws into our hands?

I think they are trying thier best.

chriskosherbal:
I think they are trying thier best.

"Their best" has very little impact. They need to increase and improve the strength of their surveillance team. Every part of lagos should feel the impact of LASEPA. Countries around the world have gotten this right.... it is not rocket science