*Nigeria鈥檚 National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency stresses when consumers are subjected to noise pollution, it leads to several health complications, ranging from hypertension to other diseases

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

Citing noise is one of the serious environmental pollutants that adversely affect plants, animals and humans, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has restated that it has the power to prosecute churches and mosques that use loud speakers without control while worshipping in the country.

Prof. Aliyu Jauro, Director-General of NESREA, who noted this Sunday, June 27, 2021, in Abuja, FCT, emphasised that noise is one of the serious environmental pollutants, and noisy places affect plants, animals and human beings, agency report said.

The Director-General of NESREA said: 鈥淥nce they are subjected to the noise, it leads to a lot of health problems ranging from hypertension to other diseases. So, as an agency, we have a specific regulation on noise control.

鈥淲hat we do as an agency is that we go out to ensure compliance. There are a lot of activities people engage that affect the environment and individuals. We receive complaints from a lot of people.鈥�

Prof. Jauro further stated: 鈥淔or instance, places like churches, mosques, even industries are causing a lot of noise which we receive complaints from people, so we do visit such areas, sensitising them about the problem people are facing.

鈥淲e also advise them on how they can go about their activities without polluting the environment by the noise. We carry out enforcement when the need arises.鈥�

On how the agency handles such complaints, he stressed that 鈥渁ll these provisions are there in our regulations, there is a provision for fine first, when we receive a complaint we go there and look at the complaint.

鈥淭hen, we go back and serve another compliance notice. We will do that about two times, the third one, we can take either the facility or individual to the court of law.

鈥淏ut most of the time, we try to see that we resolve the matter amicably with those responsible.

鈥淲e do make sure we resolve those disputes, but if they persist, yes, we can sanction the offenders, and also take them to court of law and some of them can be judged.鈥�

He, therefore, called for effective sensitisation by relevant environmental stakeholders to curb environmental pollution in Nigeria.

The sensitisation would help the public to understand the havoc pollution was causing both to humans, animals, plants, as well as the environment, he stated.

Jauro explained that 鈥渟ensitisation is the key, people don鈥檛 even know the impact of this noise pollution so we always try to sensitise the public.

鈥淭here is need to sensitise and educate the public on environmental issues so that everybody will key-in to support NESREA so that we will have a cleaner and healthier environment.鈥�

He also urged Nigerians to ensure they comply with environmental rules and regulations.

There should be a noise limit in worship centres, industries, and social gatherings, among others, the NESREA Chief advised.