The members of Ika Landlords and Landladies Association have during a meeting with the executive of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of both local governments on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at their secretariat in Boji-Boji Owa, raised alarm over noise pollution from churches, describing it as a security threat.
Speaking, the Chairman Ika Landlords and Landladies Association, Mr. Vincent Arimokwu said the noise pollution of churches in Ika land became issue for concern when the security groups in the area during a security meeting held recently complained bitterly of it being a barrier to them in checking robbery, most especially at night.
He stated that the joint meeting with executive of CAN, one of the mother associations of churches is to solicit for support towards sensitizing church owners and clerics to bring sanity into worship, saying that the noise pollution from churches is unacceptable.
His words, “it is worrisome that churches are now mounting their speakers outside their buildings, thereby causing noise pollution in the area. We are appealing to religious houses with speakers outside to please bring those speakers down, because it is noise pollution and is against the law”.
While pointing out occasions where successful robbery has taken place because of the noise from a nearby church, he explained that in advanced countries of the world, religious houses have their sound proof facilities in their buildings. Mr. Arimokwu said that it is not the level of noise we make that would make God to hear the prayers of His people. According to him, “God is always by our side, so putting speakers outside church buildings and shouting aloud disturbing the neigbourhood is against environmental laws.
The Chairman Ika Landlords and Landladies appeals to religious houses constituting noise pollution to bring down their speakers and desist from doing such, stating that security agents will now be moving around to sanction offenders.
Responding, the Secretary of CAN, Ika North East Local Government Area, Chief Ewere Eluebo, said they will help pass the message to their sister group, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) for their notice, as he commended Ika Landlords and Landladies and security agencies in the land for their efforts to get rid of criminality in the area.