The Kwara State Government, on Monday, commenced a clampdown on facilities found to have unsatisfactory compliance with regulations concerning noise pollution.

During a tour of the Ilorin metropolis, six facilities were sealed off for non-compliance.

The Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge, who spoke after the tour, noted that the government had previously been "very diplomatic" with business owners whose trade involves generating noise. However, she stated, "we can no longer marry that with the discomfort it creates for members of the public, especially within residential areas."

The Commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Abubakar Ayinla, disclosed that the ministry had been inundated with several daily reports and complaints regarding excessive noise.

"Folding our arms may mean endorsement, so we have commenced the sealing of the relevant facilities where noise beyond those acceptable for normal human beings escape to the immediate vicinity," she said, explaining the motivation behind the decisive action.

"Those who want to trade in noise should prepare well, sound-proof their facilities or stay within the stipulated guidelines that have been communicated to the managers of all such facilities," the commissioner added.

She disclosed that the ministry sealed six of them on Monday, and would continue the exercise until the desirable level of compliance that would minimise noise pollution, is achieved.

The Commissioner called on members of the public and religious bodies to adhere strictly to the noise level control that should not exceed 55 decibels in the daytime and 40 decibels at night, adding that "this is important for our health and general wellbeing".