In a rare display of professionalism, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has resolved the issue between a Surulere, Lagos resident, Mr. Justin Akpovi-Esade and a branch of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) on Thomas Animashaun Street, Aguda, Surulere.
In a press statement last month, which was accompanied by a video of the church’s loud night activity, Akpovi-Esade cried out to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu and LASEPA to come to his aid as regards the church’s night activities which, according to him, has been depriving him of reasonable sleeping time.
The distraught resident consequently sent a formal complaint to the agency’s complaint link and, in less than three days, got a call from the Zonal Director of Orile-Iganmu zonal office, Mrs. Aderinsola Toyin-Idowu, who assured that the agency would look into the complaint and act on it accordingly.
On 24th March, Toyin-Idowu led her team to the church’s premises to ascertain the sitution. “That same day, she sent an invitation for me to come to the agency’s zonal office on Coker Market Road, in the Lagos State Water Corporation Mini Waterworks Yard, Orile Iganmu on Wednesday, 27th March. This would be the quickest response one was getting from a government agency as regards a complaint, I must say”, Akpovi-Esade said in a statement of appreciation to LASEPA.
The church’s delegation of four, led by an Assistant Pastor, Chidike Oluaoha, arrived with the complainant at the appointed time and Toyin-Idowu told them that the investigation team observed that the church is situated in a residential area; it is fully enclosed; the general aesthetic is satisfactory; and soundproofed. However, there was a slightly high noise from the side of the church facing Oyebode Street.
The Zonal Director said that some neighbours questioned admitted that the noise from the church premises was indeed disturbing, while others said they did not mind. Some however declined to comment because the issue involved a religious centre.
Oluaoha apologised to Akpovi-Esade for the inconveniences the church’s night vigils, especially the periodic choir rehearsals, might have caused him, adding that it was not intentional as the church had made efforts to soundproof the worship hall but for a small section where sounds appear to be getting out from.
Oluaoha said: “We (the church) are sincerely sorry for the inconveniences you may have suffered and we appreciate your feedback and will take steps to ensure it never happens again. As a church, our mission is to spread love and live in peace with people in the environment we operate, that would even encourage them to come to God, not this. That is why we are sincerely sorry that this has happened. And, on behalf of our Pastor, and members of the church, I apologise to you”.
Akpovi-Esade said his aim was not to instigate any punitive action against the church, which is why he was happy with the way the Orile Iganmu zonal office of LASEPA handled the issue. “I must thank the Zonal Director, Mrs. Toyin-Idowu for the professional way she handled this issue. I thank LASEPA as an agency too because it showed that government agencies are now more responsive to the citizenry and it is a clear indication of a new Nigeria. And Lagos is always the first to chart this kind of course. I did not petition to LASEPA to take any punitive action against the church. I wanted the body to do exactly what it has done by telling all parties what to do. I am happy, this meeting turned out the way I expected”.
To ensure compliance, Toyin-Idowu, in a letter distributed to all parties at the end of the meeting, reiterated the resolutions reached which included: “Ensure the part of the church facing Oyebode Street is fully soundproofed within six months; reduce the noise level to the agency’s permissible limit for a residential area which is 55dB (decibels) during the day and 45dB at night; put in place measures to control church members from using musical instruments(drum) to disturb the neighbourhood; self regulate the noise level by downloading the noise meter app or procuring the noise meter and ensure good neighbourliness.
“Please note that Compliance Monitoring Team of the Agency shall be paying visits to your church without prior notice ro ensure compliance”.
