Enugu State government through the Capital Territory Development Authority on Friday reached an agreement with all night clubs, beer parlours and other entertainment operators on the best way to control noise pollution in residential areas without affecting their businesses.
Speaking during a meeting with the business owners and their representatives, the Chairman of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, Hon. Uche Anya while commending the operators for their choosing Enugu as the location for their business, reiterated the need to restore the sanity of the state.
“We are proud of what you’re doing to promote night life in our Enugu and in line with the leadership model of our Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, we’re ready to give you the needed support for us to have a bubbling night life.”
He however regretted what he described as proliferation of night clubs in residential areas which has resulted to over 200 petitions from neighbours to his office, complaining about their inability to sleep at nights because of the noise pollution emanating from the business operations.
“We need a bubbling night life but not a nightmarish nightmare. We want a city that doesn’t sleep, but our children should be able to sleep and do their home works. Thus, we need to agree on how to run our night life.”
Continuing, Chief Anya maintained that “any night club operating within the residential areas must embrace acoustic technology and you will depose to an affidavit to this effect if you must continue, while you ensure that your customers don’t block the road for the residents.
“You must stick to your approved plan and there will be no open-air live band in residential areas and you won’t operate a viewing centre in residential areas. Also, any open bar operating in residential areas must play their music in a very reduced volume.”
In their contribution, the business owners agreed with the guidelines proposed by the Agency and promised to abide them. They however made an appeal to be allowed to play loud music in any of their one-off events which Hon. Anya agreed with and urged them to look into the complaints against them adding that any violation of the new rules will attract closure of such premises and N5 million fine.
