Lagos, Jan. 25, 2024 – The Lagos State Government on Thursday said that there was no going back on the total ban on the usage and distribution of Styrofoam in the State.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement during a consultative meeting of the State with representatives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Restaurant and Food Services Proprietors Association of Nigeria (REFSPAN) in Lagos.
Tokunbo said thatvenough damage has been done already to the health of the people and the state of the environment through the usage of styrofoam.
He said 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.
He said that three weeks was enough time for the products already in the state to be exhausted, if indeed the stockists were committed.
Wahab reminded everyone that the pronouncement on the ban of styrofoam was made over three years but that no one tried to enforce the law till now.
“You will all agree with me that for over three years this conversation has been ongoing, waiting for when the big bold step of enforcement will be taken” Tokunbo said.
According to him, the number of lives that have been lost through the the use of styrofoam, the destruction of the ecosystem and aquatic lives as well as the menance brought upon the environment cannot be quantified.
He added that the lives of the residents is far more important than the profit producers set to make for the continuous production of styrofoam.
The commissioner explained that the rippling effect of styrofoam on the health care system is enormous stressing that manufacturers appeal to put the ban on hold was like wanting people to take poison for a longer time in order to mitigate their commercial losses.
He maintained that the havoc and destruction caused to public utility by this product during and after the raining season was unimaginable, stressing that if the producers had been responsible enough to respect the law, government would not have to wade into the matter.
According to him, government is putting a human face to this ban by giving three weeks moratorium to producers and entrepreneurs in the hospitality business.
He urged them to bear in mind that leadership and governance involves making tough decisions.
He said producers have a responsibility to the society but none has taken steps to be responsible by conducting an environmental impact assessment before commencement of production for public use.
He said the conversation about other types of single use plastics will continue until a workable solution is reached leading to their ban.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen noted that the decision to ban the product was reached following the menace caused by the use of Styrofoam in the environment saying the product is not recyclable, and will remain the same after hundred of years.
He added that Styrofoam was hazardous to wild and aquatic life and animals often mistake them for food.
Also, speaking, the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority ( LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegeshin, said the government could no longer continue to watch styrofoam packs clog the drainage channels bearing in mind that the particular plastic product was hazardous to human health.
“It will be irresponsible for government to sit and fold its hands because the cost of clearing those packs from tertiary, secondary and primary drains is very expensive” Gbadegesin said.
The representatives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Okpe Sunday and Restaurant and Food Services Proprietor Associa…
