Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has directed all churches and mosques in the state to remove their outdoor loudspeakers and install soundproofing measures within their worship centres.

This ultimatum, issued on Thursday, August 15, gives the religious institutions 90 days to comply.

The decision was made during a stakeholders’ engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders, government officials, and media practitioners.

The meeting, organized by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, aimed to address the implementation of the Enugu State Anti-Noise Pollution Policy.

Governor Mbah stressed that noise pollution has become a significant challenge for the state, with over 1,000 petitions received by his office in just one year. The affected areas include Independence Layout, GRA, Trans-Ekulu, Agbani Road, Abakpa Nike, Ugwuaji, and Mayor.

Uche Anya, Chairman of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, said, “I have been in this office for one year and in the last year we have received over a thousand petitions complaining about noise pollution. “Noise pollution from Independence Layout to GRA, from GRA to Trans- Ekulu, from Trans-Ekulu to Agbani Road, from Agbani Road to Abakpa Nike, from Abakpa Nike to Ugwuaji, from Ugwuaji to name it to Mayor people are in pains.”

The governor’s directive is in response to the growing concerns of residents, who have complained about noise pollution from churches, mosques, and businesses.