The Agege Local Government in Lagos is demanding compensation for the noise pollution being caused by aircraft overflying its area.
It has asked the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Bi-Coutney, operators of Lagos Airport and MM2 to begin to pay certain amounts to the local government to improve its healthcare system as compensation for the noise pollution their operations of are causing.
Alhaji Ganiyu Egunjobi, the Chairman of the local government, made the demand on Wednesday at the fifth edition of the Lagos State House of Assembly Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting.
READ ALSO:Police in Kaduna confirm abduction of six persons on Abuja-Kaduna road
The theme of the meeting was “Environmental Challenges: Community Engagement to Facilitate Lasting Solutions.”
Ogunjobi said that the noise pollution by aircraft using the airports was endangering the health of residents in the area.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the domestic airport and Murtala Muhammed International Airport are close to the local government area and all aircraft flying into the airports overfly the area.
Egunjobi said the proximity of the airports to the area was a mixed blessing, saying on one side it was contributing to economic growth of the council area, while the drawback was noise pollution by aircraft using the airports.
“It is my desire that our noisy neighbours, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and Bi-Courtney, periodically pay a certain amount to this council to improve its healthcare system as compensation for the serious noise pollution their operations of Lagos Airport and MM2 are causing in this local government.
“Planes flying over our houses at close quarters 24/7 have serious health implications on residents of this area.
“They affect our quality of life, disturb our sleep, cause stress-related illness like hypertension, high blood pressure and hearing loss.
“We may not have figures, but definitely some of our people are having health issues occasioned by the activities in the two airports,” the council chief said.
READ ALSO:Zimbabweans await arrival of former President Mugabe’s body
At the meeting was the Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, in his capacity as the representative of Agege Constituency 01 in the House.
Others at meeting included Community Development Associations (CDAs), religious and market leaders, traditional rulers led by the Olu of Agege, Oba Kamilu Isiba, Alayige of Orile Agege, Oba Akeem Ambali Agbedeyi and the Regent of Ogba, Jelili Ashade.
Others are Dr Samuel Adejare, representing Agege Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Acting Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Arc. Kabir Ahmed, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Political & Legislative Matters, Afolabi Ayantayo, and his Special Duties counterpart, Dr. Wale Ahmed. (NAN)
