Kwara State government has sealed six facilities in Ilorin, the state capital over the failure of their owners to comply with regulations on noise pollution.
The commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Buge, said the facilities were shut to serve as a deterrent to others.
“We have been very diplomatic with business owners whose object of trade revolves around generating noise but we can no longer marry that with the discomfort it creates for members of the public, especially within residential areas,” she said.
The commissioner, who spoke through the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr. Abubakar Ayinla said that they had been inundated with several reports and complaints on the menace of noise pollution in the state capital.
“Folding our arms may mean endorsement, so we have commenced the sealing of the relevant facilities where noise beyond those acceptable for normal human beings escapes to the immediate vicinity.
“Those who want to trade in noise should prepare well, sound-proof their facilities or stay within the stipulated guidelines that have been communicated to the managers of all such facilities,” she added.
The commissioner said that the exercise would continue until the desirable level of compliance that would minimise noise pollution is achieved.
She called on members of the public and religious bodies to adhere strictly to the noise level control that should not exceed 55 decibels in the daytime and 40 decibels at night, saying that, “this is important for our health and general wellbeing”.
