Lagos shuts down worship centres

Three churches, two mosques and two firms were on Monday, shut down by the Lagos state government for failing to comply with the state environmental law. The general manager of the Environmental Protection Agency, Rasheed Shabi, who ordered their closure, said the affected buildings were noisily polluting the areas where they are located. They are also accused of failing to comply with notices of abatement, thereby forcing the government’s hand to clamp down on them. “The affected worship centres will not be opened until they comply with the environmental laws of the state as regards noise pollution.” He named the affected churches as the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Mission Church, Anthony Village; Christ Chosen Church, Onipanu and Evangelical Apostolic Church. The affected mosques are Darusalam Mosque, Sabo and Ayegbesin Mosque, Oshodi. Companies were also not spared in the closure as Sunplast Plastic, Isolo and Scot Industries, Matori, were shut down for emitting fumes that were hazardous to the people in the areas. Mr Shabi also added that one of the companies engaged its workers under dehumanising conditions. “LASEPA officials, backed up by policemen attached to the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit locked up the affected places today (Monday)” he said. He added that sensitisation was ongoing to let the churches and mosques know that they could no longer disturb their environment with noise and that they should use speakers inside the worship centers"