The Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, (ECTDA) Wednesday, met with leaders of religious groups and owners of event centres in a bid to discuss ways of curtailing noise pollution in the area.
The meeting, which was held at the state secretariat, Enugu, was part of the agency’s campaign to clamp down on the menace of noise pollution in the state.
It would be recalled that the state government had in December 2023 as part of its urban renewal policy, directed all night clubs, beer parlours and other entertainment operators to mitigate their noise pollution in the capital city, particularly in residential areas.
In his address, the Chairman, ECTDA, Uche Anya, said the engagement was apt, because the state government would soon commence the implementation of the Anti-Noise Pollution Policy.
He said the implementation will begin from November 15, 2024 with sanctions, and advised churches and owners of entertainment centres to soundproof their buildings so as not to disturb the neighbourhood.
The chairman further emphasized that the aim of the engagement was not to demolish any church or entertainment centre, but to brainstorm on the best way to make the residential areas hospitable.
While stating that the authority had received over a thousand petitions from the people concerning the rate of noise pollution in the state, the ECTDA boss urged the church leaders and entertainment centres to ensure that their buildings were soundproofed.
He threatened to shut down any church or entertainment centre sited within the residential zones that refuses to comply with the directives of the government even when it obtained any form of noise permit from the state government.
Anya promised that the agency would be humane in handling the situation which according to him, was not aimed at harming anyone, but to make the state conducive for living and for the best interest of the citizens.
In their separate speeches, Rev. Carley Ibekwe and the leader of Hausa community in Enugu, Alhaji Sariki Sambo, assured the agency of their readiness to comply with the directives.
Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on mainstream media, Dan Nwome and his new media counterpart, Dr Reuben Onyishi who commended the ECTDA chairman for his efforts in bringing sanity in the metropolis, urged the agency to also consider relocating roadside mechanics to a befitting place.
The stakeholders’ engagement had in attendance religious leaders both the Christians and Muslims, owners of entertainment centres among others
