The Lagos State Government on Thursday maintained that there
is no going back on the total ban on usage and distribution of Styrofoam in the
State.
The affirmation was made at a consultative meeting of the State with representatives of the
Manufacturers Association of Nigeria(MAN) and Restaurant and Food Services
Proprietor Association of Nigeria(REFSPAN) at the Alausa Secretariat.
Commissioner for the
Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab who spoke on behalf of the state
said enough damage has been done already to the health of the people and the
state of the environment.
He said the only moratorium which the state is willing to
offer all producers and distributors of Styrofoam is to delay commencement of
enforcement of the ban by three weeks.
He said three weeks is enough time for the products already in
the state to be exhausted if indeed the stockists are committed.
Wahab reminded everyone that the pronouncement on banning Styrofoam was made over three years ago but that no one has tried to enforce the
law till now.
"You will all agree with me that for over 3 years this conversation has been ongoing, waiting for when the big bold step of enforcement will be taken," he said
He said the number of
lives that have been lost through the effect of the use of styrofoam, the
destruction of the ecosystem and aquatic lives as well as the menace brought
upon the environment cannot be quantified.
He added that the residents' lives are far more important
than the profit producers set to make for the continuous production of
Styrofoam.
He explained that the rippling effect of Styrofoam on the
health care system is enormous stressing that manufacturers' appeal to put the
ban on hold is like wanting people to take poison for a longer time to
mitigate their commercial losses.
He maintained that the havoc and destruction caused to public
utility by this product during and after the rainy season is unimaginable,
stressing that if the producers had been responsible enough to respect the law,
government would not have to wade into the matter.
According to him, Government is putting a human face to this
Ban by giving a 3-week moratorium to producers and entrepreneurs in the
hospitality business and must bear in mind that
Leadership and Governance involve making tough decisions.
He said producers have a responsibility to the society but they have yet to take steps to be responsible by conducting an environmental impact
assessment before commencement of production for public use.
He said the conversation about other types of single-use plastics
will continue until a workable solution is reached leading to its ban.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services,
Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen noted that the decision to ban the product was
reached following the menace caused by the use of Styrofoam in the environment
saying the product is not recyclable, and will remain the same after hundreds of years.
He added that Styrofoam is hazardous to wild and aquatic life
and animals often mistake them for food.
Also, the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegeshin
said the State Government can no longer continue to watch the Styrofoam pack
clogging the drainage channels bearing in mind that the particular plastic
product is hazardous to human health.
"It will be irresponsible for government to sit and fold
its hands because the cost of clearing those packs from tertiary, secondary and
primary drains is very expensive" he added
The representatives of the Manufacturers Association of
Nigeria, Okpe Sunday and Restaurant and Food Services Proprietor Association of
Nigeria(REFSPAN) Mr. Olaoye Kazeem pleaded for leniency and for time to allow
Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and RESPAN to use the existing stock before
enforcement commences.
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