The Lagos State Government says it has scaled up advocacy campaign across different levels on the dangers inherent in the use of styrofoam as well as to accelerate behavioural change amongst Lagos residents.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos. when he hosted representatives of the National Association of Supermarkets and Operators of Nigeria (NASON).
Wahab said that the ban on Styrofoams should be looked at in terms of the larger picture to all residents.
He said that the advocacy campaign was to ensure that the message is passed to all segments of the society on why they should embrace the ban
He called for the support of the association and their members, insisting that there was no going back on the ban,
He added that the ban was already having a bandwagon effect as Abia state also recently announced a ban of the usage of Styrofoam; underscoring the inherent dangers it pose to human and environmental health.
He noted that the decision to ban Styrofoam and other single use plastics was taken at the National Council on Environment in 2021 with a window of three years for enforcement to commence in 2024.
He explained that at the expiration of the three weeks window given to distributors and sellers to mop the products in circulation, the state will commence enforcement of the ban.
The commissioner promised that the enforcement will be carried out in a civil but firm manner.
He added all other Single Use Plastics (SUPs) would be banned before the year runs out but there would be windows for deliberations with all stakeholders before they are phased out.
He urged saying tthe representatives to ensure that the information was well communicated to their members.
Wahab also charged manufacturers to be more innovative about coming with substitutes to single use plastics just as major countries including the massively populated India has successfully done away with Styrofoam despite its reputation as the country with the largest concentration of eating out points.
