Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency is an implementing organ of the State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, saddled with the responsibility of controlling pollution that is likely to impact the Air, Water, and Land of the State ecosystem.
Over time, noise pollution which is an unwanted sound in excess of the permissible limits has become very prevalent in our environment, causing stress with severe health implications, with Long term exposure causing hearing loss that is detrimental to human health. Noise pollution is the major leading public complaints received at the Agency, ranging from the transport sector, religious, commercial and entertainment industry, domestic animals, and power generators amongst others.
Adults are believed to be the ones thought to show great concerns from problems associated with noise pollution, but children are quite vulnerable as well, more so as there are no known visible symptoms at early age.
Citizens are better informed of their rights to a safe and healthy environment following various advocacy programmes of the Agency through electronic and print media. The most widely being the social media handles of the Agency and its website.
Noise pollution is the most prevalent of the complaints received annually, accounting for 75% of total complaints. These are mostly anthropogenic, and not limited to Transport, Religious, Commercial, Industrial, Entertainment, and Power Generating amongst others.
Agency receives and processes petitions and complaints through an interactive website, and a few hard copies. These are treated most times without the physical appearance of complainants.
Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency joins the rest of the world to celebrate annually, the International Noise Awareness Day, every last Wednesday of April, while the State celebrates ‘’Noiseless Lagos’’ on the 9th of May. ‘’Noiseless Lagos’’ 2021 Campaign held with Transporters at the Biode Motor Park Ojota, Lagos where hearing experts (i.e Audiologists) were invited to carry out free hearing tests for users of the Park. The outcome of the survey indicated a great percentage of hearing impairment i.e partial deafness amongst the tested, unknown to them. This calls for great concern, and urgent intervention of the State government, and one of such is the introduction of the ban on the use of speakers in garages and motor parks in the state.
The Horn Free Day for motorists plying the streets of Lagos is proposed for the second quarter of 2022, to further create awareness on the need to curb excessive noise pollution from Honking. The Agency in partnership with the Ministry of Transportation shall resuscitate this very important enlightenment campaign that once held in 2014, to promote a serene and quiet smart city of our dream – Lagos.
Advocacy programmes like today’s press briefing, and policy drive for city noise control will further enlighten the general public on the harmful effects of noise pollution on hearing and human health and bring about self-regulation amongst the various players.
Sound experts with technical support on sound wave muffling, are strong collaborators of the Agency on noise pollution prevention over the years.
In conclusion, experts have statistically proven that exposure to excessive noise pollution is the second most common reason for hearing loss and tinnitus (noise in the head), where noise could be heard anywhere in the head or in one or both ears. Meanwhile, there is no scientific proven cure for tinnitus, except the use of ‘’Hearing Aids’’ Therefore, the call for a ‘’Noiseless Lagos’’ is a call for Action.
As we continue to promote hearing conservation and celebrate the importance of quietness, let us all join hands to achieve a ‘’Noiseless Lagos’’. A smart city that is serene and calm.
Thank you.
Dr, Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen
Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources