Operations conducted in the economic capital for weeks track sources of excessive noise pollution and bring offenders of legal and regulatory provisions to order.
The Urban Community of Douala intends to reduce noise pollution to its simplest expression in the business capital to respond to the increase in complaints from residents near leisure areas. Teams from the city hall have been roaming neighborhoods for weeks. They search for bars, beverage outlets, and other similar spaces that often have nothing to fear by playing music at full volume until late at night.
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Raids aim to raise awareness and repress those concerned. And already, some disturbances are in the sights of municipal services. Five establishments causing noise pollution located along the central median in the Makepe neighborhood did not escape the vigilance of city hall staff. The promoters of these structures are summoned to the city hall where they are confronted with their regulatory obligations. The deployment of control and surveillance teams in the city also led to the arrest of operators in the Logbessou neighborhood. Two repeat offenders already warned face administrative sanctions.
The ongoing operation is part of the strict application of the legal and regulatory framework set for the operation of beverage outlets in Cameroon and the protection of humans and the environment against forms of nuisance.
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The decree of November 9, 1990, on the operating conditions of these spaces provides time limits not to be exceeded. Takeaway points of sale can operate until 9 p.m., while establishments serving drinks on-site must cease activities at midnight to reopen at 6 a.m. Only administrative authorities can grant exemptions to this framework. Also, between beverage outlets and schools, hospitals, churches, a minimum distance of 200 meters must be respected.
The law of August 5, 1996, on environmental management, for its part, prohibits in its article 60(1) noise emissions likely to harm human health or constitute excessive nuisance to neighbors or harm the environment. Persons responsible for these emissions must take all necessary measures to eliminate, prevent, or limit their propagation, adds paragraph 2 of the same article. This city hall campaign thus aims to face the various pressures related to the general population increase and economic activities in the concerned sector.
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