The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has revealed that it shut down over 352 facilities, including religious centers, across the state in the past year due to noise pollution and other environmental violations. Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, LASEPA’s General Manager, highlighted these actions during a media briefing on his one-year stewardship.

Dr. Ajayi expressed concern over recurring non-compliance, noting that facilities often return to violating regulations shortly after enforcement. He explained that fines and closures are implemented to curb these issues, stating that fines are a global standard for managing environmental infractions. A significant source of noise pollution comes from religious centers, where loudspeakers and microphones are frequently used, even at public bus stops.

Ajayi emphasized that religious institutions, in particular, need stronger policies to control noise levels and said that LASEPA regularly engages with representatives from these institutions to promote a maximum noise limit of 60 decibels for public health and decorum.