Africa’s biggest city shuts churches, mosques to fight noise

LAGOS, Nigeria — Africa’s largest city is closing dozens of mosques, churches and nightclubs in a bid to reduce noise for its 20 million residents long used to lusty hymn-singing, honking horns and boom boxes that rattle the foundations of homes.

The state government of Lagos is on a mission to make the seaside city free of noise pollution by 2020.

Authorities act on complaints from neighbors, first gathering stakeholders to discuss noise limits.

During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ended this month, he’s awakened at 3 a.m. by calls to prayer, while his nights are raucous with Christian hymns.

Receptionist Dora Ugu said the foundations of her home shake when her neighbor turns on his boom box.

Noise levels of 97 decibels have been registered in residential neighborhoods where the limits are supposed to be 55 decibels by day and 45 at night, said environmental protection official Shabi.