The Enugu State Government has issued a 90-day ultimatum for all churches and mosques in the state to remove their outdoor loudspeakers and implement soundproofing measures within their worship centres.
This was announced on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) to address the growing concern of noise pollution in the state.
The meeting, attended by Christian and Muslim leaders, government officials, and media practitioners, was part of the implementation of the Enugu State Anti-Noise Pollution Policy. The Chairman of ECTDA, Uche Anya, emphasized the need for urgent action to curb noise pollution, which he identified as the state’s most pressing issue.
Anya revealed that his office has received over 1,000 petitions regarding noise pollution from various churches, mosques, and businesses across the state.
He stressed that the government had previously addressed similar concerns in 2023, targeting nightclubs, beer parlours, and other entertainment venues, particularly in residential areas.
The directive requires all religious centres to remove external loudspeakers and install acoustic soundproofing within the next three months.
Anya noted that the areas most affected by noise pollution include Independence Layout, GRA, Trans-Ekulu, Agbani Road, Abakpa Nike, and Ugwuaji.