Owners of bars and restaurants along A.Th. Illidge Road with TEATT Inspectorate representatives.
PHILIPSBURG–The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication (TEATT) Economic Control Section Inspectorate recently hosted a meeting at its offices on Yrausquin Boulevard with several owners of bars and restaurants situated along A.Th. Illidge Road with regard to noise pollution by the playing of loud music.
The first group of businesses invited were the owners of Francis Bar and Willy’s Snack and the second group was Son Latino, Abu G, Kenny’s Corner and La China Snack.
The reason for the meeting is that the Economic Control Section has embarked on a new strategy to support its enforcement efforts against community noise pollution by the playing of loud music by entertainment-related businesses operating in those communities.
Economic Controllers go out and conduct field research to identify hot spots where this practice of playing loud music is occurring within individual districts. Based on the field research conducted by Economic Controllers, business owners are then invited to meet with the department and the specific field observations and violations, and recommendations for each business on how to correct them are presented and discussed in an open and transparent manner in a group setting.
The goal is to find a collaborative solutions-based approach to address the problem of noise pollution by loud music played by entertainment businesses rather than going the traditional route of immediate sanctions.
All owners appreciated the Department’s approach and expressed willingness to work along with the Department to achieve the goal of reducing the volume of music being projected into the community in which they conduct business.
The TEATT Inspectorate will continue executing this collaboration-based approach throughout all districts and communities in the country to combat noise pollution by the playing of loud music by businesses.
The Department also wishes to inform and advise all businessowners to pay keen attention to the conditions in their permit which outline whether they are allowed to play music, have live music or provide entertainment at their establishment as well as the maximum permissible decibel level.
If businesses fail to adhere to those conditions, they are acting without permission and sanctions can be taken against them, which the Department wishes to avoid if necessary. Being a good neighbour as a business means abiding by all the conditions in one’s permit and by applicable laws.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/75811-teatt-launches-new-way-to-fight-noise-pollution
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