Residents around the Independence Layout location of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu State on Friday raised concerns over an “excessive noise pollution”, emanating through high-powered loudspeakers from an alleged trade fair currently being held in the school.

Residents of the Liberty Estate and adjoining Federal Secretariat Workers alleged that loud music from the event, which is being held at the institution’s playground, has continued to disrupt their daily activities and affect the serenity of the neighbourhood.

They claimed that the blaring music is played from early hours until late in the night, making it difficult for occupants “to sleep or read at night”.

One of the residents, Dr. Eric Nwobodo, expressed disappointment over the development, saying an academic institution should not permit activities capable of disrupting learning and the peace of the neighbourhoods.

He said: “I don’t understand why the management of IMT should convert the school into a place noisier than a motor park. Imagine collecting money from dozens of traders to set up businesses in an academic environment where students are supposed to be learning”.

He added that the noise has also affected residents of adjoining estates and students living in nearby hostels.

“We are appealing to the management to reconsider this arrangement. If the institution wants to generate revenue, it should not be at the expense of students, neighbouring residents and the general public,” Nwobodo added.

A staff member at the Federal Secretariat, Mrs Maureen Anufore, appealed to the institution’s management to immediately reduce the noise level, saying it had interfered with official duties.

“We resumed work on Wednesday and suddenly started hearing very loud music that continued without interruption. When we went through the back gate to find out what was happening, we discovered that a trade fair was taking place inside the school

“It was surprising because the loudspeakers were directed towards the Secretariat, making it difficult for some of us to concentrate on our work”, she explained.

When The Guardian visited the school, it was discovered that certain categories of wares, educational materials, local foods, among others, were displayed by traders who came from different parts of the Southeast for sale to students and staff.

Each of the traders mounted canopies and displayed wares at the venue located in front of the institution’s International Conference Centre.

Some traders also claimed they paid for the various spaces allocated to them, even as they complained of poor sales and low publicity.

Meanwhile, the Rector of IMT, Professor Gozie Solomon Ogbodo, confirmed that there was an exercise taking place within the institution’s premises, describing it as part of the institution’s annual student empowerment programme.

“It is part of an annual empowerment programme for the students. They have not left the premises of the institution to do it,” Ogbodo said.

He added that he had already directed the organisers to stop the use of loud music

“I have directed that if they are playing loud music, it should stop,” he stated, adding that the institution would ensure the event did not continue beyond its stipulated time frame.

Ogbodo, however, maintained that some of the complaints stemmed from the fact that residential developments had gradually encroached on areas belonging to the institution.

“That is what you get when people encroach into places or spaces belonging to the institution. When activities are going on within the school, they describe them as disturbances,” he said.

He assured members of the public that the programme was temporary and would soon end.