LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT BAN THE USE OF MEGAPHONES AT MOTOR PARKS

To reduce noise pollution, the Lagos State Government banned the use of megaphones, microphones and amplifiers at motor parks on Tuesday.

Addressing News Men in Ikeja the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji said the rate of noise pollution, especially in public places was alarming and worrisome.

He said the complaints were mostly anthropogenic, and not limited to transport, religious, commercial, industrial, entertainment, and power generating, among other sources.

According to Gaji who said the menace is causing severe health implications on people, he also added that citizens are better informed of their right to a healthy environment and their safety.

He further stressed that the noise pollution, which is an unwanted sound in excess of the permissible limits has become very prevalent in Lagos environment.

Gaji who said 75 per cent of total complaints was received annually added that the complaints were mostly anthropogenic, and not limited to transport, religious, commercial, industrial, entertainment, and power generating, among other sources.

According to Dr Omobolaji, “The menace is causing stress with severe health implications, while those with long term exposure will be suffering from hearing loss that is detrimental to human health.

“Adults are believed to be the ones thought to show great concerns from problems associated with noise pollution, but children are quite vulnerable as well, more so as there are no known visible symptoms at an early age.

“Citizens are better informed of their rights to a safe and healthy environment following various advocacy programmes of the agency through electronic and print media. The most widely being the social media handles of the agency and its website,” he said.

The GM of LASEPA, Dr Dolapo Fasawe has announced that the ban will take effect from Wednesday, (today), it was illegal for any motor park in Lagos to make use of sound amplifiers and other noise-making devices while calling on passengers.

Any park found violating the order would face the wrath of the law. Fasawe said.

She said that section 177, subsection 2 of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017, prohibited the use of a public address system or loudspeaker to solicit passengers or advertise the sale of goods at parks, markets, and public places.

The general manager said there was a specified limit of a decibel of noise required in the day time and night, adding that anyone who flouted the new directive would be severely sanctioned.

Speaking on the penalty, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Oluwatoyin Fayinka, said that any park that flouted the new directive would be shut while the transporters and managers of the parks would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Fayinka said there was a Motor Parks Monitoring Committee that would go round the parks to ensure compliance.