The Lagos State Environmental Safety Company (LASEPA) has sealed Donald’s Quick Meals, a well-liked restaurant owned by socialite Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, popularly often known as Cubana Chief Priest, over allegations of persistent noise air pollution and environmental violations.
The closure was introduced by the Lagos State Commissioner for Surroundings and Water Sources, Tokunbo Wahab by way of his X (previously Twitter) social media deal with, on Sunday.
Wahab acknowledged that the outlet, positioned on Adebayo Doherty Avenue, Lekki Section 1, was shut down after repeatedly failing to adjust to environmental laws regardless of quite a few warnings and abatement notices issued by the company.
“After a number of warnings and abatement notices, LASEPA sealed Donald’s Quick Meals on Adebayo Doherty Avenue, Lekki 1 over noise air pollution and different environmental infractions,” Wahab shared.
The Commissioner additionally shared a video recorded by a resident at 2 a.m. that very same Sunday, capturing the loud music blaring from the quick meals outlet-turned-nightclub, additional underscoring the disturbance precipitated within the in any other case quiet residential neighborhood.
Based on LASEPA, the choice to seal the institution was made following ongoing complaints from residents within the space concerning the degree of noise emanating from the restaurant.
Regardless of makes an attempt to deal with the scenario via formal warnings, the violations reportedly continued, prompting the company to take decisive motion.
Recall that the Lagos State authorities has been stepping up its efforts to implement environmental legal guidelines throughout the state, notably within the areas of noise air pollution, improper waste administration, and different infractions that have an effect on the standard of life for residents.
The case might spotlight deficiencies in approving non-complementary land makes use of, akin to a nightclub in a residential space, however Lagos State has clear laws addressing noise air pollution.
The Nationwide Environmental Requirements & Laws Enforcement Company (NESREA), enforced by LASEPA, specified the utmost allowable noise ranges in residential areas, noise should not exceed 55 decibels through the day and 45 decibels at evening.
For industrial areas, the restrict is 90 decibels through the day, whereas industrial areas are restricted to 70 decibels through the day.
Moreover, spiritual homes, clubhouses, and leisure venues are required to function inside enclosed, soundproofed areas, with strict management over speaker utilization to minimise disturbances to surrounding residents.
Such venues should additionally restrict the variety of inside audio system to make sure they solely cater to their fast viewers with out inflicting noise disruptions to the broader group.
As a part of this crackdown, LASEPA reiterated its dedication to making sure companies in Lagos adhere strictly to environmental laws or face penalties, together with closure.
