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Lagos State Government declared a ban on the utilization and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics in the state, effective immediately. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, personally announced the decision, emphasizing the environmental havoc caused by non-biodegradable Styrofoam, particularly in clogging drainage channels despite regular cleaning efforts.
Wahab highlighted that a significant portion of littering in major roads and markets, handled daily by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), consists of Styrofoam. Expressing concern for the coastal city’s environment, he directed LAWMA and the Kick Against Indiscipline to swiftly enforce the ban, urging them to crack down on production companies and distribution outlets to prevent further Styrofoam distribution.
The Commissioner cited various laws supporting the ban, including the National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulation 2009 and the 2017 State Environmental Management and Protection Law. Wahab cautioned producers, distributors, and end-users to comply with the ban, warning of substantial fines, penalties, and possible premises sealing. He underscored the responsibility of these entities to bear the costs of daily cleanup, emphasizing that economic interests should not supersede the well-being of millions of Lagosians facing the consequences of plastic waste.
Wahab outlined the adverse effects of single-use plastics, such as climate change, flooding, and diseases like cholera. He encouraged consumers to boycott Styrofoam and single-use plastics, advocating for the adoption of reusable food containers and water bottles. Acknowledging the inconvenience, Wahab appealed for collective sacrifices for the greater good of society.
