Mefor Fires Back: Soludo Banned Noise Pollution, Not Evangelism

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State Government has clarified misconstrued reports surrounding Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s recent encounter with an itinerant preacher at Onitsha market.

Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor said the Governor’s remarks were misinterpreted as a ban on evangelism, whereas his focus was on noise pollution, which has been banned by an extant law on public health.

Mefor, in a statement maintained that issue at hand was noise pollution, not evangelism, advising the public to disregard any claims suggesting Soludo has banned evangelism or public preaching in the State.

He urged citizens to rather adhere to the Public Health Law and respect the rights of others.

The statement reads, “The Anambra State Government wishes to address the misconstrued reports surrounding Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s recent encounter with an itinerant preacher at Onitsha Market.

“The Governor’s remarks were misinterpreted as a ban on evangelism, whereas his focus was on noise pollution, which has been banned by an extant law on public health.

“To clarify, Governor Soludo drew attention 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.

“The issue at hand is noise pollution, not evangelism. “Noise pollution” is punishable under *Sections 8(1,4b) and 9(1,2) of the Public Health Laws of Anambra State, 2006. As a matter of precedence, a magistrate court in Nnewi made this law actionable against a church in 2019 (link is attached herewith: https://search.app/xBiq2v7wDBUwvTmE8).

“The public is therefore advised to disregard any claims suggesting Governor Soludo has banned evangelism or public preaching in Anambra State. Instead, we urge citizens to adhere to the Public Health Law and respect the rights of others.”