Lagos Mulls Noise Maps to Curb Noise Pollution

By Dipo Olowookere

The Lagos State Government has revealed its desire to manage and reduce noise pollution across the metropolis in view of the need to protect citizens’ rights and privileges towards good life in a serene and comfortable environment.

General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Mr Ayodele Antonio, said noise has always been a major stress in an urban environment, noting that the ability to measure ambient noise levels and its appropriate representation on the map of Lagos will provide a powerful tool for spatial identification of noise source, its spread and impacts.

Speaking at the 4th Annual Stakeholders Interactive Session on noise pollution control in Lagos State held last week at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Ikeja, Mr Antonio said the process will ensure that decision making in relation to noise control and management becomes easy for the state government, stressing that noise mapping has the potential to enable data accessibility to the general public in a way that is comprehensible.

“In decreasing noise pollution, there is a need for the preparation of noise maps, to enable comparison between noise levels relative to noise locations on the maps, which will serve as noise control measure and reduce the number of people exposed to the menace, thereby ensuring a quality lifestyle in an acoustic environment,” he said.

Commissioner for Environment in the state, Mr Babatunde Durosinmi- Etti, in his contribution, said noise is recognised as a serious environmental infraction which must be addressed using sustainable developmental policies designed to improve the quality of life for the citizenry.

According to Mr Durosinmi-Etti, the fast social and economic growth in the 20th century was without adherence to adequate land planning and environmental laws, consequently, cities face increasing noise levels amongst environmental infractions.

The Commissioner pointed out that the growing awareness of the menace on the environment has called for necessary action by the state government to manage and reduce noise pollution in Lagos, adding that urban noise must, therefore, be managed and controlled in such a way that excessive noise does not conflict with human activities and people’s perception of wellbeing.

He averred that the Lagos State government had enacted the new Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017, with the sole aim of achieving a clean and smart environment.