NCAA and noise pollution
THE call on the National Assembly by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to formulate a noise regulatory policy for the country should be heeded as a first step towards checking the menace of noise pollution.
NCAA working in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Environment is poised to making a landmark anti-noise policy a reality. Head of NCAA's Aeromedical Unit, Dr. Wilfred Haggai made the disclosure during the 2004 NCAA authorised medical examiners meeting in Lagos.
He stated unequivocally that NCAA would soon institute a noise regulatory framework for the tarmac, cabin and cockpit as obtainable in the developed world.
Last month in Montreal, Canada, at the meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), aircraft noise took centre stage as one of the major issues on the agenda. Nigeria is a bona fide member of ICAO. Consequently, the noise limit applied in other member countries should also be adopted in Nigeria. Whereas countries in Europe and the United States of America have for over a decade ensured that aircraft that fly into their airspace do so within the acceptable noise level of 90-100 decibels (db), no such regulatory policy exists in Nigeria. Whereas this regulation informed the legislation against flying the BAC1-11 aircraft in Europe, which forced many airlines to go for retrofitting and hush-kitting of their aircraft engines, the same banned aircraft ironically found a safe haven in Nigeria.
Aviation noise level has never been taken seriously in the Nigerian aviation industry. This explains the unregulated damaging noise level that emanates from aircraft flying over Nigeria's airspace, especially on the domestic routes. Exposure to aircraft noise in general, particularly, in the cabin and cockpit affects the auditory nerves and can impair hearing. People resident within the vicinity of airports are traumatised by the daily onslaught of noise from aircraft while airport workers face medical hazards caused by the debilitating high noise level of aircraft.
The proposed policy framework should of course not be limited to the aviation industry. Nigeria in all ramifications is a noisy society. Daily, Nigerians are exposed to abnormally high noise level which impact on public health. Unbridled noise emanates from bus parks, markets, churches, mosque loud speakers, musical shops and blare from automobiles. In major cities across the country, people have a penchant for staging parties right in the middle of the streets with attendant loud music. Even at home, when one returns to relax after the day's hassles, noise from some neighbour's power generating sets fill the air with reckless abandon. Noise is part of the general indiscipline in our lawless society. In Europe, and indeed, the rest of the developed world, noise is regarded as an absurdity.
But Nigerians appear condemned to live and be exposed daily to an alarming level of noise pollution. The effects of this manifest in stress, pre-mature deaths, aggression and lopsided psychological disposition, among others. We whole-heartedly welcome the proposed anti-noise regulation. The policy should be comprehensive and include every aspect and source of noise.
NCAA and the Federal Ministry of Environment should take a cue from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), which recently enforced the mandatory use of seat-belt by motorists. Initially, it appeared to be an uphill task, but with unrelenting effort and appropriate sanctions applied on offenders, the old habit of not using seat-belts has virtually changed and motorists now use it voluntarily.
Under the present circumstances, air travel takes more than 20 per cent of mass movement in Nigeria. The collapse of the rail system and the unsafe condition of the roads are responsible for this development. Consequently, NCAA has a task to reposition the aviation industry to meet international standards. Aircraft conformity to international standards is critical in this regard.
Recently, the Presidential Jet 001 went for hush-kitting before it was allowed to fly into Europe and America. All operating aircraft should similarly go for retrofitting and hush-kitting. There should be no exception. A time-frame should be given to ensure compliance. Notwithstanding the planlessness of our cities, and the juxtaposition of industrial and residential areas which may impose initial constraints, the proposed anti-noise regulation is enforceable.
The Federal Ministry of Environment should embark on enlightenment programmes to sensitise the public. Local councils should see the need to carry out on-the-spot assessment of noise levels to justify sanctions, in their areas of jurisdiction.
