A non-governmental organisation, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA, has commended the Lagos State government for banning the use and distribution of styrofoam and other single-use plastics.
CAPPA, however, urged the government to ensure adequate stakeholder engagement and incentives for alternatives, in the light of the potential economic impact of the ban.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Media and Communication Officer, Robert Egbe, the transparency watchdog gave the advice in reaction to an announcement by the state’s Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on January 21, 2024, that the ban was with immediate effect.
CAPPA noted that single-use plastics, SUP, contributed heavily to environmental degradation globally.
It further observed that Nigeria faced serious challenges with SUP waste, generating tons of garbage, especially in densely populated cities such as Lagos.
It explained that “the waste, which takes years to decompose, is often dumped in drainages and water bodies, or ends up in landfills and as unregulated waste in the environment, thereby leading to clogged ecosystems and pollution that cause irreparable damage to public health and marine life.”
CAPPA added that it was on record that about 60 million plastic sachet water bags were consumed and disposed daily in Nigeria, with Lagos topping the list.
It said the state also generated about 870,000 tonnes of plastic products ranging from drinks bottles, packs of sachet water and plastic bags annually from the combined total of 2.7 million tonnes generated throughout the country.
Executive Director of CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi, applauded the immediate order given to the state’s waste management authority and the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, to enforce the ban, adding that fair enforcement should be prioritised.
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Oluwafemi said: “Enforcement is where the problem lies. But with this clear mandate, we are getting closer to our shared goal of mitigating the adverse effects of unsustainable plastic production on our oceans, climate, biodiversity, health, and human right to a liveable environment.”
Oluwafemi added that “while heavy fines, seal of business premises, and clean up obligations by defaulters could serve as instructive penalties, the government must be mindful and guide against conflict of interest and selective enforcement in the interest of fairness and equity as plastics are products of fossil fuel enterprise, a sector that is long dominated by big corporations and powerful individuals who have often acted as though they are above the law’’.
The NGO said while the ban gave a clue about the state government’s stance on critical issues like plastics control, a clear policy document or framework was essential for effective monitoring of the progress of the ban.
The organisation also urged the government to foster a comprehensive waste management system and create an enabling environment that encouraged the recycling of waste materials and easy transition of citizens from SUPs to greener and more sustainable alternatives.
Ogunlade Olamide, CAPPA’s pogramme manager also spoke on the issue: “Drawing from the principles of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which is the only international treaty that offers a governance model for addressing the disproportionate influence by commercial actors, government should also recognise cigarette filters as one of the most problematic and avoidable plastic products and include it on the ban list as they contribute immensely to marine alteration.”
