By: Joseph Kerkula
The Government of Liberia, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has announced a nationwide awareness and enforcement campaign aimed at curbing excessive noise pollution.
The campaign will target loudspeaker use by churches, mosques, nightclubs, street DJs, and other entertainment venues.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) weekly press briefing on Tuesday, EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo emphasized that the initiative aligns with the agency’s core mandate to safeguard public health and promote a clean and safe environment for all Liberians.
“The EPA is not against religious or cultural practices,” Dr. Yarkpawolo said.
“However, the uncontrolled use of loudspeakers in our communities has reached an alarming level. We must regulate this in order to protect the well-being of every Liberian.”
Dr. Yarkpawolo noted that noise pollution is increasingly becoming a serious environmental and social issue; one that disrupts communities, endangers public health, and infringes on the rights of citizens to live in peace.
The EPA plans to roll out a massive public awareness campaign as the first phase of the initiative.
This he pointed out will involve educating both institutions and individuals on acceptable noise levels.
The second phase will involve strict enforcement measures, including:
Restrictions on late-night loud music
Guidelines for sound levels at places of worship and entertainment
Penalties and fines for violators
To ensure effectiveness, the EPA will collaborate with local authorities, law enforcement agencies, and community leaders to promote compliance and public participation.
Experts have linked noise pollution to various health risks such as stress, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other chronic conditions.
Liberia now joins a growing number of countries stepping up efforts to combat environmental noise and improve the quality of life for their citizens.
