Noise pollution constitutes 81.8% environmental complaints yearly – LASG

Dr Dolapo Fasawe, the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), says noise pollution constitutes 81.8 per cent of environmental complaints received yearly by the agency.

Fasawe said this in a statement on the eight edition of the ”Noiseless Lagos” campaign.

She said that noise pollution had become a recurring decimal in the state’s environmental protection activities, attracting more public complaints and conflicts over the years.

Fasawe said the World Bank study had informed of the need and importance of addressing the menace of noise pollution, having discovered it as the second most significant environmental health risk factor, after air pollution.

According to her, LASEPA has the responsibility of protecting and safeguarding the environment of Lagos and its residents from all forms of environmental pollution and degradation in line with the Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017.

”Section 177 of the law clearly stipulates the prohibitions on willful actions to cause noise pollution of any environment in Lagos State.

”The need to chart a way forward, therefore, became inevitable in the quest for promoting environmental sustainability, considering the effect of noise pollution on the environment and human health, as we promote a healthier environment.

”Urban noise pollution must, therefore, be controlled, such that excessive noise does not conflict with human activities and people’s perception of wellbeing.

“It is, therefore, essential to raise awareness to reduce noise pollution in our environment,” she said.

Fasawe said the International Noise Awareness Day celebrated every last Wednesday of April, had put Lagos State on the world map, as the first city in West Africa to take steps in doing something about bothersome noise.

She said that LASEPA, being the implementing organ of the State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources for regulating noise pollution amongst others, domesticated the campaign and tagged it ”Noiseless Lagos”.

Fasawe added that the agency, in an attempt to address noise pollution partnered the State Ministry of Transportation and the National Union of Road Transporters Workers, where free hearing tests was conducted for transporters, commuters and other road users.

She said that the outcome of the test results culminated in the announcement of the ban on the use of Public Address System at motor parks and garages to call for passengers.

Fasawe said that other efforts by the agency in addressing noise pollution included awareness walks on possible loss of hearing from excessive exposure to noise pollution and school advocacy on noise pollution.

It also included installation of the ”NO NOISE/NO HONKING ZONE” signage within the premises of some schools and Government Hospitals, to promote the serene ambience of the environment required for learning and good healthcare.

”The strategies adopted by the agency is in partnership with various stakeholders, both public and private, to discuss the problems associated with it and to find practical solutions germane to our environment.

”Other related sources of noise pollution that are equally of concern to our environment is noise pollution from religious activities, commercial and entertainment industries, generators noise and the ones from domestic animals.

”It is, therefore, certain that if we do not relent in our efforts and continue to get the support of partners, both private and public, we are sure of attaining the ”Noiseless Lagos” of our dream,” she said.