NOISE POLLUTION

We all make noise. Right? Do we like noise, I guess not. So, who is responsible for noise pollution everywhere? Others. We are not going to apportion blames here; regular readers know we mind our hotel business on this page. Anyway, the commissioner for environment has reiterated Lagos State government’s desire to eliminate noise pollution in the state by their readiness to prosecute offenders like the religious institutions. The religious institutions are not the only culpable party but it’s a good place to start from. From the moment you wake, sometimes before you wake till you eventually submit to the powers of sleep-it is noise. The mosques will wake you up just when you are on the last lap of sleep, the churches will take over with the repent or be damned messages. Throughout the entire day, noise keeps us company.

The danfo bus drivers need a crash lesson in driving ethics and honking usage. The guy selling pirated films and audio advertise their wares with the handmade speakers blaring at its technology best. Our 1960s commercial aircraft sounds like Americas drones. From every imaginable corner, the noise beckons. As at last check, Lagos State does not have an enabling law that takes care of this social vice. The Assembly should wake up to her responsibility by ensuring that the legal ends of this matter are tied timely. It is needless for the state to create another agency to push for implementation and enforcement of the law because there are already almost redundant agencies littering Alausa that could be called in for this assignment.

Two decades ago, hotels operated in a very serene environment as palpable quietness enveloped the foyer. The lobby is for receiving visitors you do not want in your room or you can peaceably have your meeting. Grab a good book, stretch your legs on a coffee stool at your hotel lobby and adjust your reading glasses as slow jazz caressed your soul. It was sheer bliss. Even the restaurants then were just for traditional place for eating. The noisy related outlets like bar and pubs were sited away from the rooms so that guests can have their peace. Not any longer.

What we now have are entertainment lounge with rooms at the back of the premise; sometimes a snooker board to complete the grotesqueness. Music from the open bar these days are so loud that decent conversation becomes impossible at the reception area. The guests in the room are not spared from the noise belching from the various outlets surrounding the rooms. Don’t get me wrong, facilities like casino, club or games rooms are additions to hotel as it will not only boost the hotel’s grading but also the revenue. But all these noisy minor operating departments must be located away from the comfort of resident guests.

Unlike the Lagos State and her ambition of stamping out noise from our environment, the hotels will have to diplomatically separate noise from their money. For existing and running hotels, there is not much you can do about civil modification but for hotels under construction it is not too late to call an hospitality consultant in to look at the possibility of gleaning noise from your service before it becomes a state matter. You hear!