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Noise pollution: Lagos bans use of amplifiers at motor parks

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The Lagos State Government on Tuesday,  banned the use of amplifiers, microphone, megaphones at motor parks, so as to reduce noise pollution in the environment.

Speaking at a news briefing in Ikeja, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Gaji said the rate of noise pollution, especially in public places was worrisome.

The news briefing was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, through the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and the Ministry of Transportation.

Gaji said that noise pollution was the most prevalent of the complaints received annually, accounting for 75 per cent of total complaints.

He said the complaints were mostly anthropogenic, and not limited to transport, religious, commercial, industrial, entertainment, and power generating, among other sources.

According to him, noise pollution, which is an unwanted sound in excess of the permissible limits has become very prevalent in Lagos environment.

”The menace is causing stress with severe health implications, while those with long term exposure will be suffering from hearing loss that is detrimental to human health.

”Adults are believed to be the ones thought to show great concerns from problems associated with noise pollution, but children are quite vulnerable as well, more so as there are no known visible symptoms at early age.

”Citizens are better informed of their rights to a safe and healthy environment following various advocacy programmes of the agency through electronic and print media. The most widely being the social media handles of the agency and its website,” he said.

The General Manager of LASEPA, Dr Dolapo Fasawe,  said from Wednesday, (today),  it was illegal for any motor park in Lagos to make use of sound amplifiers and other noise-making devices while calling on passengers.

Fasawe said that any park found violating the order would face the wrath of the law.

She said that section 177, subsection 2 of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017,  prohibited the use of public address system or loudspeaker to solicit for passengers or advertise the sale of goods at parks, markets and public places.

The general manager said  there was a specified limit of decibel of noise required in the day time and night, adding that anyone who flouted the new directive would be severely sanctioned.

Speaking on the penalty, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Oluwatoyin Fayinka,  said that any park that flouted the new directive would be shut while the transporters and managers of the parks would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Fayinka said  there was a Motor Parks Monitoring Committee that would go round the parks to ensure compliance.

The Consultant expert in the Noiseless Lagos Project, Prof. Ade Owolawi said it was unfortunate most that  Nigerians suffered  from hearing impairment due to excessive exposure to noise pollution.

Owolawi said that most transporters were having hearing issues due to their exposure to noise pollution at their motor parks.

 

 

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Tax Reform Bills: Senate To Consider Viable Opinions Of Stakeholders

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The chairman, Senate committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, says the Senate will consider viable opinions of all stakeholders in the passage of current Tax Reform Bills .

Senator Musa who stated this during an interview with newsmen in Abuja emphasized the need for Nigerians to be patient for a tax regime that would be beneficial to all and sundry.

He explained that the red chamber would evolve a legislation that is workable in line with international best practices.

Senator Musa told newsmen that president TINUBU needs one trillion dollar economy adding that the proposed Tax regime would outlive every individual including the lawmakers.

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Price Hike: FCCPC Summons MultiChoice, Warns Against Exploitation

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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned MultiChoice Nigeria to explain its proposed subscription price increase, set to take effect on March 1, 2025.

Exercising its mandate under Sections 32 and 33 of the FCCPA, the FCCPC directed the Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria to attend an investigative hearing at the Commission’s headquarters on Thursday, February 27, 2025.

In a statement, the Director of Corporate Affairs in FCCPC, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu said the action follows MultiChoice’s formal notification of the price adjustment, which raises concerns about recurrent unilateral price hikes, potential market dominance abuse, and perceived anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV industry.

“The FCCPC is deeply concerned that Nigerian consumers continue to face frequent price increases, amid accusations that MultiChoice applies different pricing strategies in other markets, heightening questions about fairness and market abuse and should MultiChoice fail to provide satisfactory explanations or be found in violation of fair market principles, the FCCPC will be left left with no other option than to impose regulatory penalties, sanctions, or other corrective measures to protect Nigerian consumers” He warned

In his words”Furthermore, the FCCPC is engaging the sector regulator and other relevant agencies to ensure fair competition and consumer protection within Nigeria’s broadcasting and digital subscription landscape”.

 

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Senator Natasha Sues Akpabio For Defamation, Asks ₦100bn Damages

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Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio for allegedly defaming her

The suit was filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday with Akpabio and his senior legislative aide Mfon Patrick listed as second to third defendants.

In the suit, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, referred to Akpabio’s words published by his aide on his Facebook page with the title, “Is local content committee of the senate Natasha’s birthright?” where he stated that the claimant thought being a lawmaker is all about pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the Chambers.

Giwa alleged that the statement on Akpoti-Uduaghan was defamatory, provocative, and disparaging, and lowered her dignity in the eyes of her colleagues and right-thinking members of the public.

“A declaration that the words ‘it is a bottled anger by the Kogi Lawmaker, who knows nothing about legislative rules. She thinks being a lawmaker is all about pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the Chambers’ used and written by the 3rd defendant at the prompting of the 1st and 2nd defendants is defamatory and intended to cause public opprobrium and disaffection towards the claimant by members of the public,” her reliefs partly read.

Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the court to restrain the defendants or associates from publishing defamatory words against her on any platform.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants whether acting by themselves or through their agents, privies, assigns, or associates from further publishing or caused to be published the said defamatory words herein stated or any other similar publications about the claimant on the social media platform or in any other manner, which is capable of defaming the claimant,” she stated.

She, however, urged the court to order the defendants to pay her ₦100bn as damages and ₦300m as litigation costs.

“An order for payment of the sum of ₦100,000,000,000 as general damages. An order for payment of the sum of ₦300,000,000.00 only as cost of action,” she said.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had recently voiced her concern after her seat was reassigned due to a reshuffle. She resisted the relocation and this led to a clash between her and the senate president.

The Kogi lawmaker has been referred to the Senate Disciplinary Committee in the wake of the seating arrangement dispute.

 

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