Anambra Government Clarifies that Street Evangelism Ban Targets Noise Pollution, Not Gospel Preaching

 

The Anambra State Government has provided a clarification regarding the recent reports about a ban on street and market evangelism in the state. According to the government, the purpose of the law is not to stop the preaching of the gospel but to curb noise pollution, particularly in public spaces such as markets and busy streets.

The clarification was issued by the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, in a statement released to journalists in Awka on Tuesday. The statement was a direct response to misconceptions that arose following a recent interaction between Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and an itinerant preacher at Onitsha Market.

Dr. Mefor explained that the situation had been misinterpreted, with some individuals wrongly assuming that the governor was imposing a ban on evangelism. However, the commissioner clarified that the governor’s focus was solely on addressing noise pollution in the state, which is governed by existing public health laws.

"The primary concern is noise pollution, not the spread of the gospel,” Mefor said in the statement. “Governor Soludo's encounter with the itinerant preacher was not about halting evangelism but about enforcing the state’s public health laws, which prohibit noise pollution in public spaces.”

The commissioner referred to the Public Health Laws of Anambra State, specifically Sections 8(1,4b) and 9(1,2), which address noise pollution and its harmful effects on public health. He further emphasized that this issue had been a legal matter for some time, citing a 2019 court ruling in Nnewi where a magistrate court had ordered a church to stop disturbing public peace through excessive noise.

Dr. Mefor urged the public to disregard any claims suggesting that the government had banned street evangelism. He stressed that there was no intent to curtail religious freedom, but rather a call to respect the rights of others by reducing noise levels in public areas. “We encourage citizens to respect the public health laws and to engage in their religious activities in appropriate settings where they will not disturb others,” Mefor stated.

The commissioner further explained that Governor Soludo had also drawn attention to the legal provisions of the Public Health Law 2006 during his interaction with the preacher. The law prohibits the use of loudspeakers for preaching in locations like markets, where the noise can cause disruption to people’s activities and well-being.

Governor Soludo, according to Mefor, advised preachers to conduct their evangelism within church premises or other designated areas where people can gather peacefully without affecting others. “It is important that religious activities are carried out in places where people can listen and engage in worship without interrupting the daily activities of others in public spaces,” the commissioner added.

The clarification comes at a time when the use of loudspeakers and public preaching has become a contentious issue in various parts of Nigeria. While evangelism is widely regarded as a constitutional right in the country, concerns about noise pollution have prompted several states to enact regulations to balance religious expression with the need for public order and peace.

Anambra’s Public Health Laws on noise pollution have been in place for several years, and the state government has now made it clear that its enforcement will continue, especially in areas where excessive noise can cause harm to public health.

In conclusion, the Anambra State Government reassured the public that the objective behind the regulations is not to hinder the practice of faith but to ensure a harmonious coexistence between religious expression and public health. Governor Soludo’s administration is committed to fostering an environment where all citizens, regardless of their beliefs, can live and work in peace without unnecessary disturbances from noise.