- This was made known in a statement issued by the Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024
The Federal Government said that the prohibition of certain plastic materials is unavoidable.
The FG also emphasized the need for Nigerians to embrace comprehensive circular waste management.
This was made known in a statement issued by the Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
According to the statement, the decision of the Lagos State Government to ban Styrofoam and other single use plastics is “a strong signal to businesses and the general public that the menace of single use plastics needs to be comprehensively addressed, if Nigeria is to deliver on her environmental agenda of sustainability.
The Lagos State Government is therefore commended for the bold decision”.
The minister announced that the Federal Ministry of Environment has recently established an interagency committee.
This committee, according to him, aims to facilitate extensive consultations involving government entities, businesses, and stakeholders, with the goal of crafting a sustainable solution tailored to the context of Nigeria.
He said the ministry is examining policies and initiatives that will drive the production of alternatives to plastics.
“The current poorly regulated and indiscriminate use of plastics has to be addressed, and Nigerians must prepare for the inevitable change in this area, including banning of some products.
“In the interim, Nigerians are advised to take personal deliberate environmental actions to reduce and reuse plastics and also explore the growing market of recycling for their plastic waste.
“In the coming days, a robust awareness campaign and sensitization will be rolled out to prepare Nigerians for the inevitable ban of some plastics and the wholistic circular management of our waste.”