The Lagos State Government has announced that it will begin the full enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics on July 1.
The Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, made this disclosure in a statement on X on Monday.
According to Wahab, the state government had been intentional and strategic with 18 months of dialogue, engagement, and transition.
“We re-emphasised this stand during a courtesy visit by management of TETRA PAK West Africa Limited, led by the Managing Director, Haithem Debbiche,” he said.
Wahab emphasised that the ban was about environmental responsibility and that the government had given ample time for businesses to align with global best practices.
“This is about environmental responsibility. And we have given an ample time to align with global best practices.
‘:What is unacceptable elsewhere cannot become standard in Lagos. We must protect our future and do what is right for the greater good, ” he said.
He added that the government would insist on accountability and responsibility, just like with the successful enforcement of the Styrofoam ban.
“We’re not here to score points. We’re here to do the work. Just like with the successful enforcement of the styrofoam ban, we will insist on accountability and responsibility.
”A cleaner, healthier Lagos is within reach if we all play our part, ” he stated.
The Lagos State Government had banned the use of Styrofoam across the state in January 2024, and the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) had destroyed N5 million worth of Styrofoam packs seized in one month across various locations in the state.
The Federal Government had also announced the ban on single-use plastics in ministries, departments, and agencies of government in June 2024.
The Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, stated that the ban aligned with the government’s commitment to tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution.
