The provincial government of Kinshasa is on a crusade against noise pollution in public places in the city.

In this official statement, the Minister of the Interior, Security and Justice, Papy Musey announces: "The Provincial Executive wishes to draw the attention of owners of terraces and bars, church authorities, and other companies that engage in marketing activities throughout the capital, that disturbances both at night and during the day—whose nature, frequency, and levels of noise are deemed to constitute noise pollution—are prohibited throughout the city of Kinshasa."

He also warns that "Pending the deployment of a systematic control mission in all the municipalities, all legal or natural persons engaging in any activity that could create or induce noise must strictly adhere to the legal and regulatory provisions on the matter, specifically the Decree no. 005 of October 9, 2012, concerning the regulation of noise pollution in the city of Kinshasa," before cautioning: "Those who do not comply will be subject to the full force of the law, which may include the confiscation of their sound equipment up to the revocation of their operating permit."

This is not the first time that the city authorities of Kinshasa have taken a stand against the issue of disturbances in the city. The persistence of this issue is largely due to a lack of follow-up. It is hoped that this time measures will be taken to ensure the follow-up of these measures.

Boni Tsala