LAGOS/Nigeria: The Lagos State Government remains steadfast in its commitment to banning the usage and distribution of Styrofoam in the state, with Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, declaring that there is “no going back” on the ban.
In a statement issued on Thursday during a consultative meeting with representatives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Restaurant and Food Services Proprietors Association of Nigeria (REFSPAN), Wahab emphasized the significant damage already inflicted on both public health and the environment due to the usage of Styrofoam.
“The only moratorium which the state is willing to offer all producers and distributors of Styrofoam is to delay commencement of enforcement of the ban by three weeks,” stated Tokunbo Wahab, providing a brief reprieve for industry players to exhaust existing stock.
Wahab highlighted that the decision to ban Styrofoam had been announced over three years ago, lamenting the lack of enforcement during this period. “For over three years, this conversation has been ongoing, waiting for when the big bold step of enforcement will be taken,” he said.
The Commissioner stressed the immeasurable impact of Styrofoam on lives, ecosystems, and aquatic habitats, making it clear that the lives of residents take precedence over the profits sought by producers. He underscored the ripple effect on the healthcare system and criticized the appeal to delay the ban as an attempt to prolong the detrimental effects on the population.
“The conversation about other types of single-use plastics will continue until a workable solution is reached leading to their ban,” Wahab added, indicating a broader commitment to environmental sustainability.
Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, supported the decision, highlighting the non-recyclable nature of Styrofoam and its long-lasting impact on the environment.
Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegeshin, Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), echoed concerns about the environmental impact and health hazards posed by Styrofoam, emphasizing that the government could no longer tolerate clogged drainage channels and the associated expenses of clearing these packs.
Representatives of MAN and RESPAN, Okpe Sunday and Mr. Olaoye Kazeem, pleaded for leniency and time to deplete existing stock before the enforcement of the ban, reiterating the state government’s decision announced on Sunday, January 21, to ban the use and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics with immediate effect.
