Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has announced that churches, mosques, event centers, clubs, lounges, and other public spaces that do not adhere to the state’s noise pollution guidelines will be sealed by March 31. This decision follows a stakeholders’ meeting held on October 31, 2022, between government officials and owners of establishments requiring noise control. Notices titled “Soundproofing Requirement for Your Property” have been distributed to stakeholders, particularly to owners of hotels, lounges, clubs, bars, churches, mosques, and event centers across Benin City.
In a statement released on Thursday, Isoken Omo, the state Commissioner for Physical Planning, Housing, Urban, and Regional Development, emphasized that the notices reflect the agreement reached during the stakeholders’ meeting, which established a compliance deadline of March 31, 2023. She highlighted that facility owners have a 90-day grace period to meet the requirements. The notices are accompanied by a leaflet that outlines soundproofing specifications and materials, as well as the role of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability in providing additional guidance on soundproofing requirements.
This initiative aims to ensure that such facilities operate within acceptable noise levels, as mandated by the National Environmental (Noise Standard and Control) Regulation Law F.R.N. Part V General 13-1308 17 – (2) and the existing Town Planning Laws. The need for this regulation arose after the Ministry of Physical Planning, Housing, Urban, and Regional Development (MPPHURD) began receiving numerous complaints and petitions from the public regarding noise disturbances.
Sheikh Abdulfatai Enabulele, the Chief Imam of Benin Central Mosque, expressed the mosque’s commitment to comply with the state government’s directive, recognizing it as a positive initiative. He stated, “After God, the government is the next, so we have to comply with the directive. We have nothing against it. I am sure it is a good cause. If that is what the government wants, we will sensitize our members about the need to comply. It is a government directive.” Efforts to reach Bishop Oyennude Kure, the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, for his reaction were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls.
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