Management of popular entertainment venue dragged to court over noise pollution
Concerned residents of Nyakuron South residential area in Juba have file case against the management of a popular entertainment venue known as BMC hall over persistent noise that has been disturbing their peace.
Kiir Chol Deng, the legal counsel representing the residents of Nyakuron South residential area, said the three accused persons that include Naomi Adhieu, a business woman who also works as director in the office of the first lady, Bol Mawut, and Newton, a Kenyan who manages BMC hall appeared in the Juba County court court on Friday before judge Nyang Wol.
“The three accused have erected a hall, that is used as a place to conduct events or night club and weddings and this hall with its music causes a lot of noise to the residents in the area,” counsel Deng told The Juba Echo in an interview on Saturday.
He disclosed the hall is not licensed by the Juba City Council.
“You cannot have such music in a residential area, this is contrary to local order No.3 2023 that was issued by the city council which prohibits operating music in residential areas and it is also against our law that is section 177 of the penal code,” Deng said.
Section 177 of the 2008 Penal Code Act, says, whoever commits an act or illegal omission which causes any common injury, danger or annoyance to the public or to the people in general who dwell or occupy property in the vicinity or which must necessarily cause injury, obstruction, danger or annoyance to persons who may occasion to use any public right, commits the offences of public nuisance.
The 2013 Juba City Council bylaws as amended 2020, says, any person who owns night clubs and disco place shall operate in locations approved by quarter, block and Juba city council, acquire license and operation certificate from block council or Juba city council.
Our attempts to reach Deng Akech, the lead defense lawyer for the three suspects were futile as his known phone number was switched off by press time.
In February last year, Michael Lado Thomas Allah-jabu, the former mayor of Juba city council issued an order suspending operation of discos and Dj operation and an unauthorized church fellowship in residential areas.
In November last year, the chief inspector of Malakia central division, Ferdinator Justo Tombe, following the directives from the public prosecution attorney ordered for the closure of BMC hall.
