22 Noisy Churches Shut Down In Lagos State

Lagos (AFP) - Authorities in Nigeria's financial capital
Lagos have shut down churches across the city after
a glut of complaints over noisy worship.
The chaotic megacity's environmental protection
department said it had sealed off 22 premises on
Wednesday after receiving dozens of calls a day,
according to local newspaper reports.
Neighbours of one church -- Jesus Our Lord Divine
Catholic Prayer Ministry -- said they were constantly
disturbed by a congregation of mainly pregnant
women, young mothers and their children.
"On my phone alone, I get 20 SMS on a daily basis,"
said Adebola Shabi, head of the Lagos State
Environmental Protection Agency, according to the
national daily New Telegraph.
"In the next five years, if there is no stringent policy
on the siting of religious houses, there will be
problem."
Constant noise -- from the the thumping beats of
loud music, the beep of car horns and the noise of
generator engines -- is the soundtrack to Lagos life
and is seen by many as part of its charm.
But residents are complaining in unprecedented
numbers that they can barely hear themselves think
among the churches and mosques where giant
loudspeakers pump out religious messages and
music.
Officials receive around 50 telephone calls and 20
text messages a day complaining about noise, mostly
from churches, the New Telegraph said.
"With the enforcement today, we would have sealed
about 55 premises because the last enforcement we
carried out, we shut 33 premises," Shabi told
reporters.
"I gave approval for closure of 22 premises today,
making 55."
Religion is big business in Lagos, a city of around 20
million which has seen more than 6,000 traditional
and alternative places of worship spring up in recent
years, according to the authorities.
Shabi said the churches would be allowed to reopen
after paying fines starting at 50,000 naira ($250, 225
euros).
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