Over time in the media, there has been a plethora of complaints from persons in various parts of the country pertaining to noise nuisance. In every instance, the frustration of those affected was very evident and one common gripe was the perceived lack of action by the authorities to fully address the situation. The sources of the audio bombardment include from what seems ubiquitous bar-b-que limes and other entertainment shows, neighbours, bars and vehicles.
In every scenario, people are subjected to brutal and sustained assaults by high decibel sounds which often last throughout the nights. The harsh reality is that everyone within the affected zone, including children, the elderly and the sick are rendered helpless and deprived of sleep. That in itself brings or exacerbates related health consequences as people feel a profound sense of lassitude since their energy has being sapped.
Some complaints detailed the horrible effects especially on babies and those suffering from illnesses as woes are compounded. A toll is eventually taken and in turn productivity and studies are affected for those who work and attend institutions of learning respectively. Unfortunately, this is ongoing across the country and, gauging from what is in the public domain, it appears that not much has been achieved by law enforcement to curb this menace.
Of course, some reports are responded to and action taken but clearly it does not present a deterrent to those who continue to make others uncomfortable. It begs the question of whether they really understand the impact it has on people. Further, this may be an impetus for the authorities to relook not just the criteria for granting permission for bar-b-ques and entertainment shows, but for the proximity of residents to be taken as primary consideration.
Barring national events, weddings and other necessary infrequent events to some extent, the wellbeing of people must be foremost. It is understood that there is a requirement for the Police, as one the approving authorities, to get the consent of residents before granting approval for events in question. This is clearly an area on which the public can be advised on whether it is being done in a sustained and thorough manner. Based upon the documented complaints, it doesn’t appear so.
While seeking consent can be seen as considerate in taking the sentiments of residents into consideration, more than likely it can be an across the board consensus or split. Some people generally do not want to object while others have every reason to. What obtains in situations when some object? Reportedly, many calls made to Police Stations have a common theme; permission has been granted up to midnight. With some events staring earlier in the day, that spells long hours of discomfort for residents.
There are cases when the Police enforce the midnight deadline but others prolong until just before dawn. Many of these events are for profit and are at the expense of people’s convenience. Also there have been allegations of either collusion or the deliberate turning of a blind eye to people’s plight. Bars, including some in parts of the City, blast music unfettered throughout the nights especially on weekends. Reports are that calls for relief go unheeded allegedly for reasons relating to benefits.
The growing phenomena of parked vehicles belting loud music are also having the same effect. Similarly, what occurs in some minibuses need no explanation. What it means is that many of our school children are regularly exposed to these high decibel sounds which are sometimes laced with profanity and incitement to violence; the same during village events and from bars parked vehicles.
For the schoolchildren, this not only poses a health issue, but has a profound influence on their minds and actions. A useful research would be to explore the correlation between the exposure to this type of music and violence and other unsavoury actions in schools by some students. In many ways this can be deemed as a form of mind-conditioning of the younger ones and which can have serious social consequences. It may also be useful to explore if there is a correlation between this and poor academic grades.
While the findings of the research, if conducted, would be extremely useful, first there has to be a more firm acceptance by the authorities of the serious problem and related consequences of loud music which is a form of pollution. There is no doubt that the Police are challenged for resources and its priority will be combating crime. That said, there has to be a commitment to find a way of making noise nuisance a priority thereby paving the way for it to be dealt with in a sustained manner.
In addition, it would be helpful if the Police were to make public not just the criteria for granting permission for related events, but to state what can cause them to intervene in the circumstances even when approval may have already been granted. The affected would need immediate relief and the Police, under its motto of to serve and protect, is expected to protect residents even in these circumstances.
