Residents of American Quarters in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State have cried out to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, calling for urgent government intervention over what they described as persistent noise pollution caused by church crusades, street evangelism and worship centres operating within the residential community.
In a petition signed by the community’s spokesman, Mr. Victor Ononye, the residents alleged that loud preaching, high-volume loudspeakers, drums and trumpets used during religious activities have become a major disturbance and pose health risks, particularly to elderly residents and those living with underlying medical conditions.
READ ALSO: Gully Erosion Destroys Six Homes, Displaces Families In Anambra
The community claimed that some residential buildings had been converted into churches in violation of urban planning regulations and alleged that some religious activities, including crusades and night vigils, are held at odd hours, depriving residents of rest and disrupting the peace of the neighbourhood.
They recalled Governor Soludo’s earlier warning against noise pollution by religious organisations, alleging that while compliance initially improved, enforcement had since weakened, allowing the activities to resume.
The residents, therefore, urged the state government to enforce existing regulations by restricting outdoor crusades and evangelism to designated open spaces outside residential areas, mandating the installation of soundproofing materials in churches, banning the use of external loudspeakers and stopping night vigils in residential neighbourhoods.
They also called for stricter regulation of the conversion of residential buildings into places of worship and improved enforcement of environmental and urban planning laws to protect public health and preserve the residential character of the historic American Quarters community in Onitsha.
