The Lagos State Government has officially imposed a ban on the usage and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics in the state with immediate effect, News About Nigeria reports.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement he personally signed on Sunday.
Commissioner Wahab directed Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) to swiftly initiate the enforcement of the ban.
The two agencies have been instructed to take decisive action against production companies and distribution outlets dealing in styrofoam to prevent further distribution.
The decision to ban single-use plastics, particularly non-biodegradable styrofoam, was prompted by the environmental challenges posed by their indiscriminate usage and disposal.
Wahab pointed out the daily clogging of drainage channels in the state due to styrofoam, even with regular cleaning and evacuation efforts.
He stated that a large portion of littering on major roads and markets comprises styrofoam.
“Our state cannot be held hostage to the economic interests of a few wealthy business owners compared to the millions of Lagosians suffering the consequences of indiscriminate dumping of single-use plastics and other types of waste,” he stated.
Wahab cited existing laws and regulations supporting the ban, such as the National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulation 2009 and the 2017 State Environmental Management and Protection Law.
Producers, distributors, and end-users of styrofoam packs are advised to adhere to the ban or face severe penalties, including heavy fines and the potential sealing of their premises.
Additionally, they may be held responsible for covering the costs of the daily cleanup of their products from roads and drainage channels, which amounts to tens of millions of naira.
Wahab said that the ban is essential to combating the negative consequences of single-use plastics, such as climate change, flooding, and diseases like cholera.
He urged consumers and residents to boycott styrofoam packs and single-use plastics, advocating for the adoption of reusable food containers and water bottles for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle.
“The convenience of single-use plastic comes at a huge cost to society. We must all make small sacrifices for our collective well-being,” Wahab pleaded.
