LAGOS VOWS UNRELENTING CRACKDOWN ON SINGLE-USE PLASTICS TO CURB FLOODING, POLLUTION
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By: Sefiu Ajape
The Lagos State Government on Friday reiterated its commitment to intensifying raids and enforcing the ban on Single Use Plastics (SUPs) below 40 microns in major markets and stores, citing their severe environmental, wildlife, and human health consequences.
KAI Corps Marshal, Major Olatunbosun Cole (Rtd), disclosed this during ongoing enforcement operations targeting banned SUPs at Bolade Market, Oshodi, and Ojuwoye Market in Mushin on the second day of the crackdown.
According to him, the ban has come to stay to reduce plastic pollution and offer a lasting solution to flooding across the metropolis.
He urged traders and end users to adopt reusable alternatives, noting that the enforcement campaign, now in its second day, would be sustained and expanded to all markets and retail outlets across Lagos until the goals of the SUP ban are fully realized.
“Today is day two of the enforcement. Yesterday, we were at Alakoro Market on Lagos Island. This morning, we visited the Bolade Market at Oshodi and now we are at the Ojuwoye Market at Mushin. Traders should ensure they only sell plastics that are not less than 40 microns for the betterment of all” he said.
Speaking further, he stated that the enforcement was carried out at Alakoro market, Lagos Island on the first day, saying the SUPs that were carted away include plastic cutlery, straws, lightweight nylons, disposable cups and plates, which would be confiscated.
He recalled that the announcement of the ban on SUPs was first made in January 2024 when the ban on Styrofoam was made by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab added that an 18 months moratorium was given to producers to come up with alternatives before the commencement of the enforcement from 1st of July 2025.
He added that before the commencement of the enforcement, the state government had held a series of meetings with concerned stakeholders which included the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Restaurants and Food Services Proprietors Association of Nigeria (RFSPAN) and Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance representatives (FBRA) amongst others on the way forward.
According to him, before now, traders/ manufacturers/ distributors had been given an 18-month grace period to exhaust the stock of the products from the market and embrace alternatives. All manufacturers and traders have been sensitised on several occasions as well.
He said the government advocacy team from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources continually visited various markets across the state for traders’ sensitisation/enlightenment on the harmful environmental and health impacts of the products.
He emphasised that the SUPs most of the time end up in oceans/lagoons, causing pollution and in the belly of the aquatic animals, which is very harmful to humans.
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