Authorities of the Lagos state have shut down no fewer than 22 church premises across the city following series of complaints over noisy worship even as they insisted that the churches would have to cough out N50,000 each and a promise to stop the noisy worship before they were re-opened.
The chaotic megacity’s environmental protection department of the state said that it sealed off the 22 premises after receiving dozens of calls a day.
Neighbors of one church — Jesus Our Lord Divine Catholic Prayer Ministry — said they were constantly disturbed by a congregation of mainly pregnant women, young mothers and their children.
“On my phone alone, I get 20 SMS on a daily basis,” said Adebola Shabi, head of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency.
“In the next five years, if there is no stringent policy on the siting of religious houses, there will be problem.”
Constant noise from the thumping beats of loud music, the beep of car horns and the noise of generator engines is the soundtrack to Lagos life and is seen by many as part of its charm.
But residents are complaining in unprecedented numbers that they can barely hear themselves think among the churches and mosques where giant loudspeakers pump out religious messages and music.
Officials receive around 50 telephone calls and 20 text messages a day complaining about noise, mostly from churches, the New Telegraph said.
“With the enforcement today, we would have sealed about 55 premises because the last enforcement we carried out, we shut 33 premises,” Shabi said, adding: “I gave approval for closure of 22 premises today, making 55.”
Religion is big business in Lagos, a city of around 20 million which has seen more than 6,000 traditional and alternative places of worship spring up in recent years, according to the authorities. [myad]
