Segun James
The Lagos state government has banned the use and distribution of Styrofoam and other single use plastics in the state with immediate effect, saying they have become an environmental menace to the environment.With the ban, supermarkets, traders and others who use the plastic as carrier or storage will have to find other biodegradable product such paper bag from henceforth.
The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who made this known in a statement said that the decision was reached following the menace which the single use plastics, especially the non-biodegradable Styrofoam has constituted on the environment.According to him, most drainage channels in the state are daily clogged up by Styrofoam through its indiscriminate distribution and usage despite the regular cleaning and evacuation of the drains with humongous amounts.He reiterated that the larger chunk of littering across major roads and markets which the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) contends with daily is made up of Styrofoam.
The commissioner added that the state government cannot fold its hands and watch the continued desecration of its environment especially for a coastal city.Wahab subsequently directed the LAWMA and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) to immediately commence the implementation of the ban.He asked the two agencies to clamp down on all the production companies and distribution outlets for Styrofoam in the state to prevent further distribution.Wahab explained that the state took the action, relying on several enabling laws and regulations such as the National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulation 2009 which was established pursuant to NESREA Act that prohibited and specifically ban single use plastic in the country but has not been enforced.
Other laws, according to Wahab, include the 2017 State Environmental Management and Protection Law which states under section 56(I) (y): “Prevent, stop or discontinue any activity or omission, which is likely to cause harm or has caused harm to human health or the environment.”The commissioner advised producers, distributors, and end-users of the Styrofoam packs to take the ban seriously and find alternatives or risk heavy fines, and other penalties including sealing of their premises.
He warned that they could also be made to bear the costs of the daily clean-up of their products from roads and drainage channels which run into tens of millions of naira daily.“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.
According to Wahab, the well known consequence include climate change, flooding, and diseases like cholera.He advised consumers and residents to boycott Styrofoam packs and single use plastics while imbibing the practice of using reusable food containers and water bottles for their food and drinks.
“The convenience of single use plastic comes at a huge cost to the society. We must all make small sacrifices for our collective well-being,” Wahab pleaded.
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