Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has announced a ban on loud preaching in public areas, particularly in markets, citing concerns over noise pollution and the disruption it causes to residents and businesses.
In a viral video on X (formerly Twitter), Governor Soludo was seen confronting a roadside preacher in a busy market, instructing him to stop the loud preaching.
Soludo made it clear that such activities disturb the peace and interfere with daily commerce in public spaces.
The governor emphasized that anyone caught violating the state’s noise pollution regulations would face a hefty fine of N500,000. He clarified that preachers should conduct their services inside churches or rent designated open spaces for such activities.
“You don’t come out and take a space and start preaching. It is noisy. You are polluting the place. It is illegal,” Soludo stated. “Everybody has freedom of worship, but you don’t go to the middle of the market where people are coming to trade and turn it into a church. Otherwise, we will charge you; they will be charging you for this space. You will pay N500,000 because we cannot allow this,” he added.
This move comes as part of the state government’s efforts to balance religious freedom with maintaining public order and minimizing disturbances in public spaces.
