Noise Pollution Gambia
Banning “sabari gudi”? Wolof for Night of Drums. Is an evening program in Gambia that can last into the night.
Environmental health and mental health matters in the Gambia. How bad is noise pollution in The Gambia? Does it depend on the neighbourhood or just your neighbour?
Noise nuisance can be a serious issue when you have neighbours that are inconsiderate. It’s not just a music some neighbours are literally banging on walls, slamming doors, and having gatherings with friends etc. Let the peace between neighbours be the most important thing so that we can all learn to be peaceful on a larger scale.
Recently some locals have complained about the Sabari Gudi program that can be an inconvenience for people that have work the following day. The program is usually is for entertainment and fun but is also for naming ceremonies and other events, or for no reason apart from something to do.
Legal Framework: What the law says
In Gambian municipals—most notably Banjul and Kanifing—nuisance is tackled via local government by-laws. For instance, Kanifing Municipality’s Nuisance Law explicitly prohibits:
- Loud music or PA systems between 2 AM and 4 AM in residential areas without a permit—even religious gatherings need permission.
- Operating any nuisance-causing activity on public highways or dumping waste without council approval.
While national environmental legislation in similar countries (e.g., Guyana) defines thresholds—excess noise is any level above ~75 dB in daytime and 70 dB at night—Gambia’s laws lack such decibel-specific standards. Enforcement relies on discretion, not sound-level limits per se.
Enforcement: Are the laws enforced?
Enforcement is sporadic at best. Council by-law officers or police may issue warnings, seize sound equipment, and impose fines, but actions tend to be reactive and infrequent:
- Authorities may confiscate sound systems for repeat offenders after multiple complaints.
- Enforcement often falters due to lack of public awareness, technical standards (like dB thresholds), and consistent follow-through.
The result: complaints are made—but outcomes aren’t always effective or deterrent enough.
Reporting a Noise Nuisance
To report a noise issue in The Gambia:
- Contact your local municipality (e.g. Kanifing or Banjul Council) or their environmental/nuisance office.
- Call local police—especially for late-night disturbances.
- Document loud activity: note times, dates, addresses—and if possible, record audio/video.
- Officials may visit, assess, and, if warranted, issue warnings or seize devices.
- You can follow up with the municipality if no action is taken.
Due to informal enforcement, maintaining records and persistence is crucial to prompt a response.
Why Noise Nuisance Matters: Impacts & risks
Noise pollution is far more serious than mere irritation:
- Health: Linked to stress, mental health, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular issues, hearing loss, and cognitive impairment.
- Social: Provokes complaints, neighbor conflicts, disrupted daily routines—disturbing children, the sick, students, and elderly people.
- Animal welfare: Noise harms pets with sensitive hearing, causing distress.
Left unchecked, noise nuisance can escalate into community deterioration, health crises, and breakdown of local harmony.
Notable noise-related cases in The Gambia
While no landmark national case dominates headlines, local incidents do surface:
- Kanifing Council fines: In October 2020, KMC publicly fined residents for using loud musical or industrial machines between 2 AM and 4 AM—providing a precedent for early-morning noise curfews.
- Bar & nightclub complaints: Reports from Banjul and vicinities have emerged, with bars operating past midnight, disturbing nearby homes. Many complaints are dismissed or informally addressed with no tangible sanction.
To date, no case has gone to national court or set binding precedent—it remains largely remedial and community-level.
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