Lagos State government has again advanced reason for its banning of Styrofoam, a raw material used to manufacture disposable plates used in eateries.
The government in January announced that the use of Styrofoam is criminalised across the state, citing its negative effect on the environment and residents’ wellbeing.
On Monday at the Nigeria Plastic Solution activity launch at the Landmark Conference Centre, Victoria Island, the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab restated this.
Wahab said, already the state is reaping the positive consequences of the ban and went on to reiterate justification for the ban.
According to him, “In a densely populated city like Lagos, the presence of plastic waste has brought suffocated the environment, endangered the aquatic ecosystem and daily threatens human health. The solutions to plastic pollution are as diverse as the problem itself, and require a multi-faceted approach that engages government, businesses, communities and individuals alike.
“It is not enough to simply recycle or clean up the mess; the root causes of plastic pollution must be addressed and all must fundamentally rethink the way these plastics are produced, consumed and disposed.
“We all must remember that the fight against plastic pollution is not a sprint but a marathon, which requires patience, perseverance and a steadfast commitment to the shared goals.
“Our policy and advocacy efforts present a paradigm shift on plastic waste. We can no longer view it as a disposable commodity; rather, it must be regarded as resource demanding responsible stewardship. We cannot shy away from this responsibility; we must confront it head-on with resolve and determination.”
