The Anambra state government has articulated the ban on the evangelism of the streets and markets, saying that the goal of the law is not to stop the spread of the gospel, but to curb noise pollution.
State Information Commissioner Dr. Law Mefor clarified this in a statement provided to AWKA reporters on Tuesday.
Mefor said: “Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s recent encounter with a Circuit Missionary on Onitsha Market was misunderstood as a ban on evangelical missionaries, and his focus was on noise pollution, which has been banned by an existing law on public health.
“The problem at hand is noise pollution, not evangelism. Noise pollution should be punished under Articles 8 (1,4B) and 9 (1,4B) and 9 (1,2) of Anambra State, 2006.
“From the priorities, the NNEWI District Court adopted the legal provisions on the church in 2019. Therefore, it is recommended that the public ignore any suggestions, suggesting that Governor Sorudo has banned evangelism or public preaching in Anambra State.
“Instead, we urge citizens to abide by public health laws and respect the rights of others.”
Mefor added that the governor clarified his position when drawing attention to the Public Health Act of 2006, which prohibits the use of speakers to conduct noise pollution and preaching in inappropriate places such as the market.
“The governor advises missionaries to engage in activities in churches or designated areas where people can gather and listen to the word without doing other people’s activities,” he said.
