Noise pollution! Deputy PM feels its time to address it

Deputy Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel, believes that the time has come for a serious look into the issue of noise pollution, which is affecting several communities across St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Daniel, who is also Minister of Works and Transport, aired his views on this matter on Wednesday of this week while on NBC’s Face to Face interactive programme.

“It seems to me that the matter is becoming one of a national issue,” he declared.

“I think the time has come when really we should start looking at what is happening in our communities when it comes to that level of noise.”

The Deputy Prime Minister added that many concerns are being raised about this matter, and letters of complaint have been written to government officials ,including himself, and also the Commissioner of Police.

Daniel, who is the Parliamentary Representative for the constituency of North Windward agreed that music is a part of us.

He however said “ it appears as though music has become noise to some of our residents,” and the culprits of this noise are usually promoters, vans, or businessmen.

There are complaints where persons have had to endure very loud music from 8:00 p.m until around 5:00 a.m the following day.

“There are older persons in our communities that may not be able to take this level of music for such a long period of time,” Daniel noted.

The minister added that it becomes extremely difficult for some persons, if the noise goes beyond midnight.

Apart from the elderly, persons with disabilities, and even babies are usually adversely affected by loud music.

While admitting that legislation is already in place to deal with the issue of excess noise, the minister said “we have to satisfy all of the players involved”. His approach is that, “There needs to be serious discussions with all the players and the stakeholders, about how we manage this activity”.

Minister Daniel also said he has first hand knowledge of such a situation of in his constituency where residents of Point Village have written numerous letters of complaint to the authorities.

The minister said similar problems also exist in Arnos Vale and other areas across the nation.