LASG vows to employ practicable strategies to sustain Styrofoam plastic ban 

The Lagos state government on Thursday pledged to emplace practicable strategies to sustain the ban on the use and trade of styrofoam food holders and Single Use Plastics (SUPs) in the state.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the commitment at a one day stakeholders workshop on the implementation of the ban on usage of Styrofoam and SUPs in the state.

Represented by the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, Wahab said the workshop would fashion out necessary strategies to apply and sustain the ban on Styrofoam and other SUPs in Lagos state.

He said that available statistics show that Lagos generates over 13,000 tonnes of waste daily with a significant chance being Single- Use Plastics and Styrofoam.

According to him, these plastics have been scientifically proven to take up to a thousand years before demeaning.

He added that a recent study also proved that micro-plastics were found in fetus and the blood stream of human beings.

He said that the resolution to ban the product would not only be beneficial to the present generation but to generations yet unborn.

He recalled that the State government in January 2024 pronounced a ban on Styrofoam plastics and single-use plastics to reduce their dangerous environmental and health impacts on mortal health and the ecosystem.

He added that government remained determined to encourage feasible options for Styrofoam users across the megalopolis.

“The perpetration of the ban on Styrofoam commenced on Feb. 12, 2024 upon the expiration of a three weeks doldrums.

“The state blazoned a six- months doldrums period for SUPs which was later extended till the end of 2024 after stakeholders appeal to give room for further discussion, while the ban on SUPs will be effective by January 2025,” Wahab said.

He said that Lagos had seen firsthand the ruinous goods of plastic pollution, as it affects air quality, clogs the aqueducts, and poses long- term health pitfalls to the citizens.

The manager stressed that the resoluteness to ban is a critical step toward climate action, sustainable waste operation, and ameliorate the overall quality of life in the communities.

Wahab said Government recognises that the transition may not be easy as challenges similar as cost of indispensable packaging accoutrements, changes in consumer geste and icing compliance across board is anticipated.

He said that the state government was ready to apply the places quested in the Lagos state plastic policy by furnishing an enabling terrain and supporting exploration into new technological options.

He emphasised that government would continue to give the necessary policy frame and support.

He prompted participants to come up with practical, practicable strategies for perpetration of the ban on other single-use-plastics and raise public awareness by charting a roadmap that would insure a smooth transition.

“The future of Lagos-our health, environment, and economy rests on the conduct we take today.

“I, therefore, prompt each of you to embrace the journey towards a plastic free Lagos with enthusiasm, sanguinity and participated sense of responsibility,” Wahab said.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen said plastic waste operation was one of the most daunting environmental challenges facing Lagos state with its adding frequence and negative effect.

Gaji said that following the ban, studies conducted reflects that drastic but required action had been veritably useful in reducing the volume of plastic waste in the drainages and aqueducts across the state.

He said the ministry deemed it neccesary to engage various stakeholders within the plastic ecosystem in a comprehensive and robust stakeholders gathering where all interested parties would be present to converse a way forward.

He reminded all stakeholders that the government was veritably interested in the progress and good of business associations within the terrain sector and would not take any action to peril the interest of business possessors.

He added that doing else wouldl becounter-productive to the progress and fiscal stability of the State.

“At the same time, it must be easily noted that the state government wo n’t wince down from its responsibility of having a clean and sustainable terrain” he said.

Also speaking, the guest speaker, a former Dean of LAW, Lagos State University, Prof. Funminiyi Adeleke, said, there was a great responsibility assessed on the government to consider profitable issues that may probably arise from the ban.