The Enugu State Government has issued a directive to all churches and mosques in the state, giving them 90 days to remove outdoor loudspeakers and install soundproofing measures within their worship centers.
This decision was made on Thursday during a stakeholders’ engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders in the state regarding the implementation of the Enugu State Anti-Noise Pollution Policy. The meeting, organized by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, was attended by church leaders, media practitioners, government officials, and Muslim leaders.
Following the meeting, Uche Anya, Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, issued the ultimatum. He stated, “From now until the next three months, every church and mosque must remove outside loudspeakers and begin to install soundproof (acoustic) systems in their worship centers.”
This directive follows the government’s 2023 urban renewal policy, which required nightclubs, beer parlors, and other entertainment operators to mitigate noise pollution, especially in residential areas of the capital city.
Addressing the stakeholders, Anya emphasized that noise pollution has become the state’s biggest challenge. He lamented that his office has received over 1,000 petitions regarding noise pollution from various churches, mosques, and businesses near residential areas.
“I have been in this office for one year, and in that time, we have received over a thousand petitions complaining about noise pollution,” Anya stated. “Noise pollution is rampant from Independence Layout to GRA, from GRA to Trans-Ekulu, from Trans-Ekulu to Agbani Road, from Agbani Road to Abakpa Nike, from Abakpa Nike to Ugwuaji, and beyond. People are in pain.”
