The Lagos State Government has implemented a ban on the use and distribution of Styrofoam and other types of disposable plastics in the State, starting immediately.
The statement was personally signed by Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, as announced.
Wahab stated that the choice was made due to the harm caused to the environment by single-use plastics, particularly non-biodegradable Styrofoam.
He stated that Styrofoam is causing daily blockages in most state drainage channels due to its widespread and uncontrolled distribution and usage, despite the drains being regularly cleaned and cleared.
He restated that the majority of the litter found on main roads and in markets, which LAWMA deals with on a daily basis, consists of styrofoam materials.
The Commissioner also stated that the State Government cannot simply stand by and observe the ongoing destruction of its environment, particularly in the case of a coastal city.
Afterwards, Mr Wahab instructed the State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Kick Against Indiscipline to promptly initiate the enforcement of the prohibition.
He requested two organizations to take strong action against all the companies involved in manufacturing and distributing Styrofoam in the state, aiming to stop its distribution in the future.
Mr. Wahab clarified that the current action undertaken by the State is based on various laws and regulations, including the National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulation 2009. This regulation was implemented in accordance with the NESREA Act, which explicitly prohibits the use of single-use plastic in the country.
However, it has not been effectively enforced so far.
According to Wahab, there are additional legislations in place such as the 2017 State Environmental Management and Protection Law.
This law mentions in section 56(I) (y) the need to take measures to avoid or cease any action or failure that could potentially result in damage or already caused damage to human health or the surrounding environment.
According to the Commissioner, it is crucial for producers, distributors, and end-users of these styrofoam packs to heed the ban seriously and search for substitutes; otherwise, they may face severe fines and other consequences, such as having their premises closed.
He cautioned that they might also be held accountable for the expenses involved in daily removing their products from our streets and drainage systems, which amount to tens of millions of naira every day.
He expressed that our state cannot be controlled by the economic desires of a small group of prosperous business owners in contrast to the numerous Lagos residents who are facing the negative effects of uncontrolled disposal of disposable plastics and other forms of waste.
Wahab states that climate change, flooding, and illnesses such as cholera are among the widely recognized outcomes.
He recommended that both consumers and residents should avoid using styrofoam packages and disposable plastics.
Instead, he encouraged them to adopt the habit of using food containers and water bottles that can be reused for their meals and beverages.
Wahab appealed for everyone to recognize that the societal impact of using single-use plastic outweighs its convenience and to be willing to make personal sacrifices for the greater good.