Lagos State governments shuts down eight worship centres for disturbing the peace

LAGOS State government officials have shut down eight worship centres across the state for contravening environmental pollution regulations because of the noise they generate when they congregations gather.

With the explosion in the number of churches and mosques across Nigeria, noise pollution is a daily reality for a lot of people. In a bid to address the problem, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (Lasepa) has been established with a mandate to clamp down on erring places of worship through the imposing of fines and shutting down those who refuse to heed warnings.

Dolapo Fasawe, Lasepa's general manager, said the facilities were closed down to save the people from a health crisis that might arise from the activities of the centres. The affected facilities are located at 68, Old Ota Road, Orile-Agege; 4, Ademola Oshinowo Street, Off Love Street, Ketu; 1, Dele Amuda Street, Lekki; 17, Ajileye Street, Ilaje-Bariga; 39, Kusenla Road, Elegushi and Ajayi Bembe Street Abule Oja, Yaba.

Ms Fasawe, who led the operation, vowed that there would be no hiding place for any religious organisation which failed to operate within the ambit of the law, regardless of their faith. While noting that religious organisations were supposed to demonstrate good conduct, tolerance, brotherliness and good neighbourliness, Ms Fasawe lamented the fact that the conduct of some overzealous churches and mosques had caused friction in society.

She, however, assured residents of the state that Lasepa would not rest on its oars in bequeathing a good ambience to all inhabitants. Ms Fasawe warned that recalcitrant organisations or worship centres known to be disturbing the peace of Lagos residents, would face the full wrath of the law.