The Governor of Anambra State, Mr Charles Soludo, has explained that the recent law, which banned noise pollution in the state, was not put in place to frustrate evangelism.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Law Mefor, the Governor emphasised that preachers have nothing to fear if they do not cause noise pollution, especially at markets and other public places in the state.
It was speculated that Mr Soludo came up with the controversial law after his encounter with an itinerant preacher at the popular Onitsha Market recently.
The statement drew the attention of members of the public to the Public Health Law 2006, which prohibits noise pollution and preaching in inappropriate places like markets using loudspeakers.
The Governor advised preachers to conduct their activities in churches or designated areas where people can gather and listen to the word without disrupting others’ activities.
He stressed that noise pollution is punishable under Sections 8(1,4b) and 9(1,2) of the Public Health Laws of Anambra State, 2006.
It was noted that as a matter of precedence, a magistrate court in Nnewi made this law actionable against a church in 2019.
The public was advised to disregard any claims suggesting Governor Soludo has banned evangelism or public preaching in Anambra State, urging them to adhere to the Public Health Law and respect other people’s rights to a conducive environment.