Funmi Ogundare
The General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Mr. Tunde Ajayi, yesterday called on club owners to soundproof their walls so as to prevent noise from coming out from where they operate.
Ajayi, who made this call at a one-day stakeholders’ parley on ember month noise pollution in Lagos, expressed concern that on the list of complaints made by the people, noise pollution was the highest and its effect on health is debilitating.
According to him, “Noise is a problem in Lagos, especially on the Island, because some people own clubs and they have not complied with government regulations. They need to ensure a sane environment.”
He explained that the essence of the parley was to conduct an advocacy drive, inform and educate participants in the night life industry, who bring about noise pollution particularly on the island, on the impact of their noise on the people and ensure they comply with the state regulations so that they can live a better life.
Ajayi remarked that the parley was the first of several which the agency is planning to organise, adding that it will be issuing out sound permit and ensuring enforcement of its regulations before the yuletide.
“When I resumed office, I did an enforcement of the issues on the Island and Alimosho. Today, we were in Amuwo Odofin on enforcement and closing down places where we have infractions unabated.
“We want to continue doing advocacy and ensure we have law and orderliness; and also intensify enforcement. Our team is well structured, we are very intentional about our strategy which is to approach different industries, churches and different people on abating the nuisance,” Ajayi stressed.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Tokunbo Wahab, recalled how his office had to shut down a club on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, for breaking the laws, stressing the need for club owners to find a balance between doing business in a conducive and sane environment, and ensuring compliance to the rules.
In his remarks also, the Director-General, Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola. who was represented by its Technical Adviser, Mr. Seun Awojobi, stated that there are a lot nuisances that lead to noise such as drug use and the use of ammunition especially in clubs.
