The Lagos State Government has sealed Donald Fast Foods, located on Adebayo Doherty Street in Lekki Phase 1, due to noise pollution in the predominantly residential area.
The closure, carried out by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), followed numerous complaints from residents about loud music and disturbances during late-night hours.
Owned by businessman Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, the fast food outlet also operates as De Angels Night Club, which further contributed to the disruptions.
Despite multiple warnings and abatement notices, LASEPA took decisive action on Sunday, September 15, 2024, to restore peace to the neighbourhood.
This was revealed in a post by the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
“After several warnings and abatement notices, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency @LasepaOfficial sealed Donald’s Fast Food on Adebayo Doherty Street, Lekki 1 over noise pollution and other environmental infractions,” Wahab’s post read.
The Commissioner also shared a video recorded by a resident at 2 a.m. that same Sunday, capturing loud music from the fast food outlet-turned-nightclub, further highlighting the disruption in the otherwise peaceful residential area.
This action by LASEPA reaffirms the Lagos State Government’s commitment to upholding environmental standards and addressing noise pollution, a growing issue in densely populated areas across the city. The agency continues to urge businesses to comply with regulations to avoid similar actions being taken against them.
What you should know
The closure of Donald Fast Foods has highlighted concerns over land use planning in Lagos State, particularly in residential neighbourhoods like Lekki Phase 1.
- The establishment’s dual function as a fast food outlet and nightclub in a primarily residential area emphasizes the challenges of balancing commercial activity with residents’ quality of life.
- This case emphasizes the need for strict zoning regulations and proper enforcement to ensure businesses operate in designated areas, protecting the rights and well-being of Lagos residents.
- While this case may expose shortcomings in the approval of non-complementary land uses, such as a nightclub in a residential zone, Lagos State has clear regulations governing noise pollution.
- The National Environmental Standards & Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), adapted by LASEPA, sets the permissible noise levels: residential areas must not exceed 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night.
- For industrial areas, the limit is 90 decibels during the day, while commercial areas have a cap of 70 decibels during the day.
Additionally, religious houses, clubhouses, and entertainment venues must operate in enclosed, soundproof environments with regulated speaker use, ensuring minimal disturbance to neighbouring residents.
Also, such venues are expected to limit the number of internally placed speakers to address only their congregation or clientele, without causing noise disruptions to the surrounding community.