Determined to reduce noise pollution in the state, Lagos State Government yesterday shut down 70 churches, 20 mosques and about 11 hotels, club houses and beer parlours in the state.

The General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Bola Shabi, who disclosed this to journalists, said the state government has zero tolerance for noise pollution.

He said: “Precisely about 70 churches, 20 mosques and about 11 hotels, club houses and beer parlours were shut and we’ve given them some directives to follow. We have been so strict now that we are not going to even allow make-shift churches in the state any longer.

“What I mean by makeshift, using tents and uncompleted building, we are not going to allow that any further in the state.

“But I will strongly tell you that the level of compliance is more on the mosque area, because immediately you shut them, they instantly bring down their speakers or reduce the noise they make.’’

According to him, LASEPA planned to reduce noise in the state to 70 per cent and to zero per cent by the year 2020.

“As at today, we are only able to reduce the noise level to about 35 per cent. That is not a pass mark yet. So, until we reach that target of 70 to 80 per cent, we will continue the enforcement.

“Enforcement is a continuous exercise and we have set a target for ourselves. We want to ensure that Lagos is noise-free by the year 2020. With our status as a mega city, by year 2020 we will be free of noise,” he said.

Shabi emphasised that the government will no longer allow make-shift buildings to be used as places of worship in the state, warning residents to desist from the act.

•Photo shows Lagos Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

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