The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the state Ministry of Information and Strategy to embark on public enlightenment campaign to sensitise the public on the hazards of noise pollution. This followed a motion moved by Mr Abiodun Tobun seconded by Mr Bisi Yusuf during a plenary under Matters of Urgent Public Importance.
The Assembly observed that there were regulations of management of noise which were not enforced by the executive in the state.
According to the lawmakers, who took turns to express dissatisfaction the menace, noise pollution poses to health and there is a need to stem its tide in the state.
Tobun decried the high level of noise pollution arising from the blaring of music by vendors, street party organisers, religious organisations and outdoor advertisers.
He also frowned at indiscriminate use of horns by motorists and cyclists on major highways in the states.
“The high level of noise has become a major source of health hazard as recently raised by the Nigeria Hearing and Speech Association (NHSA) that more Nigerians are suffering from hear impairment as a result of noise pollution.
“Noise pollution has increased the risk of hypertension and other incurable diseases and must be stemmed. There is no proper enforcement of Section 9 (a) of the LASEPA Law 1996, aimed at controlling noise pollution in a cosmopolitan state like Lagos with over 15 million residents,” he said.
In his view, Yusuf said that the best way to go about the issue was to ensure the proper enforcement of the existing regulation.
Mr Oluyinka Ogundimu (APC-Agege 2) said: “Lagosians will comply willingly if the affected agencies carry out necessary enlightenment and education; enlightenment will solve this problem.”
In his view, Mr Emeka Idimogu called for caution on the issue saying “we should use a persuasive approach in addressing it.
“We all made noise during the electioneering campaign and noise has become a part of us, we can’t change it overnight,” he said.
Responding, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa said that the House would work on regulation.
“What we should do is to work on how to regulate it and we should not be harsh about it,” he said.
The Assembly, after a voice vote, passed the resolution calling for more public enlightenment.
It also called on Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to direct the General Manager of the state Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), to discharge the statutory responsibility conferred on it by Section 9 (a) of the state Environmental Protection Agency Law, 1996.
The House also called on the state Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture to ensure that the use of public address systems was discouraged within the community so as not to disturb peace and tranquility.
