Effective immediately, the Lagos State Government, through Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab, has enforced a ban on the usage and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics. Read full article
This decision stems from the environmental havoc caused by these materials, particularly Styrofoam, which obstructs drainage channels and contributes significantly to littering on roads and in markets.
Commissioner Wahab emphasized the urgent need for action, directing the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Kick Against Indiscipline to promptly implement the ban.
He called for a crackdown on Styrofoam production companies and distribution outlets in the state.
Wahab cited existing laws, including the National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulation 2009 and the 2017 State Environmental Management and Protection Law, as the basis for this decisive move.
He warned producers, distributors, and users of Styrofoam to comply with the ban, highlighting potential heavy fines, penalties, and premises sealing for non-compliance.
He wrote;
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.
The Commissioner underscored the adverse effects of Styrofoam on the environment, such as climate change, flooding, and diseases like cholera.
He urged consumers to boycott Styrofoam and single-use plastics, advocating for the use of reusable food containers and water bottles to mitigate environmental harm.
He also pleaded;
The convenience of single-use plastic comes at a huge cost to society. We must all make small sacrifices for our collective well-being.