BREAKING: LAGOS: No Going Back On Styrofoam Products Ban - Lagos Government

BREAKING: LAGOS: No Going Back On Styrofoam Products Ban - Lagos Government

Save Our Nation SON

January 26, 2024

Lagos State yesterday reiterated that the ban on distribution and use of Styrofoam remains.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, during a consultative meeting with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Restaurant and Food Services Proprietor Association of Nigeria (REFSPAN) at the Alausa secretariat in Ikeja, said enforcement of the ban could be extended by three weeks.

This, he said, would give them enough time to exhaust their stocks.

This followed pleas by representatives of MAN Okpe Sunday, and REFSPAN Olaoye Kazeem, for leniency and more time to exhaust their stocks.

Wahab recalled that ban was announced about three years ago but lacked enforcement.

He said: “This conversation has been ongoing for over three years, waiting for the big bold step of enforcement. Enough damage has been done to the health of the people, state and environment.

“The number of lives that have been lost following effects of the use of Styrofoam, destruction of the ecosystem and aquatic life, as well as the menace brought upon the environment, cannot be quantified.

“The rippling effect of Styrofoam on the healthcare system is enormous, and appeals to hold the ban are like wanting people to take poison for longer in order to mitigate manufacturers’ commercial losses. 

“Government is putting a human face to this ban by giving 3three weeks moratorium to producers and entrepreneurs in the hospitality business. They should also know that leadership and governance involves taking tough decisions.”