The Transfiguration and Solution
Bible church Sebanjo Mushin area of Lagos state, was accused of noise pollution
and closed down by the Lagos state Environmental protection Agency after
residents complained of sleepless nights due to the church’s frequent vigil,
and that they disturb them with musical instruments and piercing electronic
gadgets- CULLED
We shall have a general overview
of what noise pollution is, its effect on the society and health of its people.
Noise pollution is an unpleasant
sound that disrupt human or animal life, this is not unknown world over but how
this is controlled and managed by the government through relevant agencies is
what differs, Nigeria should not be left out of this ,as a lot of people are
been disturbed based on uncontrolled noise from industries due to failure to
comply with the master plan in our
states by building industries around residential areas, the noise from musical
instruments and loud speakers from our churches and mosque cannot be
underestimated.
This has lead to health problem
for some people, after a long day at work and traffic they get home to face
noise pollution in their areas, those who cannot move their houses from these
affect areas remain to live there, in some instances tenants move out for these
reasons.
Scientist research has proven
that in our actual noise situation, long exposure to constant high level of
sounds, such as cars and high music, affect our health, noise can cause depression
and disturbances that cause interruption of sleep, which is very important to
human health. It has been proven that people living in areas with constant
noise suffers from more emotional depression, frustrations and as a result of these they are prone to
using drugs due to these noise can affect their mental state to be inclined to
depression and which people can get mentally ill.
People wonder if there are regulatory
bodies or agencies in these regard, there are laws of the federation in these
regard, the Federal EnvironmentalAgency(decree) no.52 of 1992 is one and for
those of us in Lagos state, the Lagos State Environmental protection Agency is
the body that handles the matter, they have been conferred with this duty, so don’t
look elsewhere if you have been faced with this problem, there office is situates
at Alausa, behind Ikeja Mall (shoprite) and they will take it up, you need not
pay them money to carry out their duties but remember that this should not be
done based on malice, read our topic on malicious prosecution to know the
implication of setting the law in motion against an innocent party.
Section 33 and 34 of the
constitution which guarantee fundamental human rights to life and human dignity
respectively, have also being argued to be linked to the need for a healthy and
safe environment to give these rights effect. Section7 of FEPA, provide
authorities to ensure compliance with environmental laws, local and
international, on environmental sanitation and pollution prevention and control
through monitoring and regulatory measures, section 27 of FEPA also criminalize
it as an offence punishable with a fine not exceeding one million naira only
and an imprisonment term of five years and incase of a company,there is an additional
fine of fifty thousand naira for each day the offence persists.
Thank you and have a beautiful Friday.
Oyenike Alliyu-Adebiyi LLB(hons)BL
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