Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has alerted roadside evangelists utilizing loudspeakers in communal areas, especially within marketplaces, alleging that they contribute to noise pollution and inconvenience the populace.
Soludo proclaimed that any person discovered flouting the noise pollution directive would incur a ₦500,000 penalty.
A popular video spreading across social media platforms on Saturday depicts the governor engaging with an unnamed roadside evangelist at a market, ordering him to refrain from bothering traders with his sermons. He recommended that the evangelist either deliver his messages in a church or secure an open plot, highlighting that individuals keen on hearing him would locate him there.
Speaking to vendors at what is thought to be Ochanja Market in Onitsha, Soludo declared, “If you want to preach the word of God, go to your church. You are causing noise pollution here. You cannot come to a marketplace and disturb everyone.”
He reinforced that marketplaces are not designated for religious observance and that unapproved spiritual gatherings in public zones would not be accepted. “If you want to preach, go to a church. Those who want to listen will come to you; you cannot force people in the market to hear your message.”
The governor stressed that anyone endeavoring to convert a communal space into a place of worship would face corresponding penalties.
“You will pay ₦500,000 because we cannot allow this. We have banned loudspeakers in markets due to noise pollution, which affects people’s eardrums. You cannot force people to listen to your preaching. We are cracking down on fake pastors and prophets in Anambra.”
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Nnamdi Okoli