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Some Churches Make More Noise Than Dancehall, Jamaican Minster Says

By
Desmond-McKenzie
Desmond McKenzie

Recently, promoters of parties and sound system operators have been the subject of the Noise Abatement Act. However on Thursday, Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie, took a different perspective of the issue at hand.  The minister, speaking at a monthly meeting of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation, noted that churches are leading the decibel race when it comes to who makes the most noise.

“Is not just the party people dem alone make noise, the people dem inna the church make noise, too,” Minister McKenzie stated according the Jamaica Observer.

“We never have the kind of noise, and I used to live beside a Pentecostal church on Bond Street…the churches now have amplified the noise. Some of them even have more equipment than the Dancehall people them.  So I am wondering if the sinners are that far away,” he added.

Last Tuesday, the House of Representatives in Jamaica approved the “Noise Abatement Temporary Amendment Act 2019”, which allows events to extend their hours. Promoters can now, until January 31, 2020, host their events up to 2:00 a.m. during the weekdays and 4:00 a.m. on weekends.

The additional 2 hour allowance granted comes after much debate this year from members of parliament and entertainers alike.  In recent months, many have advocated for the amendment of the Act. Selector Ricky Trooper, spoke at the Gleaner’s Entertainment Forum in September, that there will be a team proposing a solution to the higher powers.

Members of the Jamaica Sound System Federation (JSSF) pointed out that the reggae groups are dysfunctional. “We a reach out to them, and dem nah come a no meeting. Dem nuh wah tek part. When it comes to reggae music, it’s a dysfunctional system.” On the other end of the spectrum, Kingston Mayor Senator Delroy Williams, in October, called for the parliament to be more supportive of the Entertainment industry.

Bounty Killer has also been very vocal about the issue and its impact on dancehall.  On the veteran entertainer’s Instagram account, he welcomed the passage of the amendment but urged that the allowance be extended to February 2020 for Reggae Month if the aim is to truly celebrate reggae music.

“Some consideration gwaan at least it can be a small relief for the entertainment sector although it’s only until January 2020 but February will be Reggae Month and if we are truly celebrating Reggae Music it should be played freely during that month I think”, he said.

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