By: Felix Ikpotor

Rivers State government has warned  churches against noise pollution especially in public places  in the state.

The warning is coming just a few months after the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, sent a religious bill to the State House of Assembly to control and in effect, ban church worship and evangelism in the state.

Special Adviser, SA, to Governor Nyesom Wike on Pollution Control, Mr. Nwuke Anucha gave this warning Monday, to both pastors and business operators in the state during a pollution control and religious matters meeting with members of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Port Harcourt branch.

 The SA said the noise churches produce in Port Harcourt was becoming alarming.

Anucha expressed concern that the noise produced by sound systems used by churches was causing unrest in the state, stressing that no responsible government would not take steps to reduce the menace.

 “My lords, you will agree with me that the emission of gaseous substance, the sound level of our electric power generation sets and indeed the noise generated by the use of loud speakers in some of our worship centers in no doubt cause serious disorder to human co-existence.

“It is on this premise of good neighborliness that necessitated this meeting. The public outcry about the noise and air pollution generated by some of our churches is so alarming that no responsible and responsive government will shy away from taking necessary actions.

“Churches need to cut down the use of loud speakers with a sound level not above the recommended decibel outside and inside.

“Sounds from churches are causing environmental pollution,” he added.