Ogun closes three religious centers due to noise pollution | The Guardian Nigeria News

The Ogun State government has closed three religious centers for alleged violation of the state’s noise pollution laws and for defying the government’s repeated order on the menace.

The three are Christ Apostolic Church, Fountain of Faith District Headquarters, Gbogunmi, Itedo Alafia Community, Bode Olude; Ambassador of Truth Assembly International, Olorunseye Avenue, Ijeun Titun and Salvation Ministries, Kuforiji Olubi Drive, Adigbe GRA all in Abeokuta.

Farook Akintunde, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, said the churches were sealed after several warnings and dialogues to stop noise pollution emanating from their worship services failed.

Speaking before Christ Apostolic Church, Akintunde said the church was fond of holding evening and night vigils where loudspeakers were placed outside its premises at night, disrupting the peace of its immediate community.

“The community has not only complained but has also written a strong petition against the church, stating that the noise pollution emanating from the church is damaging the health of their members.

“All attempts to make the presiding pastor and elders of the church see reason and stop the pollution have failed.”

“No serious government will fold its hands and watch such violations affect the health and well-being of its people,” Akintunde said.

According to Ambassador of Truth Assembly, they were also found guilty of blaring from their loudspeakers at odd hours, apart from the incessant noise pollution during their services. Worshipers of Salvation Ministries, Adigbe, were unruly. They allegedly assaulted government officials while sealing their church.

He therefore warned against obstructing government officials in carrying out their official duties and called on other religious centers against noise pollution.

According to him, the state government will not hesitate to seal religious centers found guilty of noise pollution anywhere in the state.