Dear Editor,
I write to petition the Local Government Minister Hon. Phiri and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Hon. Kambwili (as Government Spokesman) over noise pollution from Bars and Taverns in our locality in Kabwe town.
This is in particular reference to bars and taverns, at the junction of Nalikwanda and Mole Kombe streets, and near the junction of Nalikwanda and Lungwebungu streets, and along Mole Kombe street. This is in eastern High Ridge area. There are also smelly bar pit latrines along Mole Kombe street with residences on the windward side just across the street.
The bars and taverns blast loud music into High Ridge residential area. These bars and taverns are just across the streets bordering High Ridge residential area and Katondo Shanty Township. Does the law governing the proximity of bars to residences not qualify these bars and taverns as illegal?
The worst affected are our colleagues in residences along Mole Kombe street where bar music noise is the loudest. Here bars and taverns mostly close beyond the stipulated time. Kabwe Municipal Council has been approached several times over the issue but the noise is still there and the bars still close beyond the stipulated time.
Sometimes the Council gives permits to these bars to hold overnight music sessions even though they do not have facilities for such. Bar men simply put powerful HiFi equipment outside and blast loud music into High Ridge residential area just across the street.
You come from work tired and want to rest but you can not sleep due to the loud bar music. And because most of the time they close beyond the stipulated time, you can not get enough sleep for days on end.
The law governing the proximity of bars and taverns to residential areas is very clear. Also the regulatory rules about bar music are very clear. Why should residences not enjoy peace and quiet? I have high regard for the two Ministers petitioned and I know they will sort out the problem.
You will also discover that this bar music pollution problem is common in many areas in Zambia. Why not end the problem once and for all?
Of course the Councils are to blame for non regulation but believe me, in the end, the blame goes to Government and the PF.
From Distressed Resident
Noise pollution is s problem in most residential areas. This us because the councils give permission for bars to open till all hours. Near Ngombe there us Bongwe, a drinking place. The noise of music from there is sometimes too much. Residents in nearby Roma and surrounding areas are sometimes kept awake till the early hours. What happened to the PF law of drinking places shutting earlier?
the distressed resident states that “Also the regulatory rules about bar music are very clear”, where has these ‘regulatory rules’ been published please. And does anyone know whether noise standards have been published in terms of section 70 of the environmental management act, 2011