The ban was announced in a statement by Tokunbo Wahab, the
state’s commissioner for environment and water resources.
According to Wahab, styrofoam and other single use platics
have become a monster of some sort to the environment especially because the
are non biodegradable.
He noted that these plastics have also been found blocking
drainages in the state because of their indiscriminate use in the state.
“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,” Wahab noted in the statement.
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The commissioner pointed to diseases and other
inconveniences caused by the use of such plastic materials. He encouraged the
use of containers that can be reused over and over again, asking residents of
the state to consider it a sacrifice to make to avoid bigger problems.
“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,” the commissioner said.
After pointing out that the the largest part of waste that
the state’s waste managers have to deal with is styrofoam and other such
plastics, he called for arrest of anyone found breaking the law regarding the
ban.
He has subsequently directed LAWMA and the Kick Against
Indiscipline to immediately commence the implementation of the ban.
He asked two agencies, Lagos Waste Management Authority and
Kick Against Indiscipline, to clamp down on all the production companies and
distribution outlets for Styrofoam in the state to prevent further
distribution.