The Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, has announced plans to launch a crackdown on noise pollution in the Enugu metropolis starting November 15, 2024.
This decision was made public by ECTDA Chairman, Hon. Uche Anya, during a town hall meeting with religious leaders and event centre owners.
The move comes after the state government received over 1000 complaints about noise pollution from churches, clubs, bars, and other religious groups.
Anya stated that the government aims to reduce noise pollution to zero per cent through the implementation of the Anti-Noise Pollution Policy, in line with Governor Peter Mbah’s Enugu mega city aspirations.
This initiative is part of the state government’s urban renewal policy, which was introduced in December 2023. The policy requires nightclubs, beer parlours, and other entertainment operators to minimise noise pollution in residential areas.
Anya said the reason for notifying the stakeholders was for them to be aware of the planned implementation and possible sanctions, advising churches and owners of entertainment centres to use acoustics in their buildings to prevent their activities from disturbing their neighbourhoods.
The chairman further emphasised that the aim of the engagement was not to demolish any church or entertainment centre but to brainstorm on the best way to make the residential areas hospitable.
He threatened to shut down any church or entertainment centre illegally sited within residential zones, while those who refuse to comply with the directives of the government even with any form of noise permit from the state government would be sanctioned.
Anya promised that the agency would be humane in handling the situation which according to him, was not aimed at harming anyone, but to make the state conducive for living and for the best interest of the citizens.
In their separate speeches, Pastor. Cally Ibekwe of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the leader of the Hausa community in Enugu, Alhaji Yusuf Sambo, assured the agency of their readiness to comply with the directives.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE