ABUJA, NIGERIA | Xinhua | The authorities in Nigeria’s southwestern deliver of Lagos, the country’s economic hub, on Tuesday started enforcement of the ban on single-employ plastics under 40 microns to address environmental concerns and promote sustainability.
Tokunbo Wahab, the commissioner for ambiance and water resources in Lagos, informed newshounds at a press conference that any retailer found storing or selling single-employ plastics might maybe perhaps be sealed, whereas warning all people to desist from such acts.
“There will be no going abet from July 1 on the enforcement of the ban on single-employ plastics, which would be decrease than 40 microns in Lagos Issue,” Wahab acknowledged.
Offenders will be punished per the environmental felony guidelines of the deliver, he acknowledged, noting that huge public awareness campaigns had been performed for the reason that ban used to be announced in January 2024. The ban additionally contains styrofoam meals containers.
The ban is especially section of a total effort to mitigate the unwanted side effects of plastic air pollution on the ambiance and public successfully being, Wahab acknowledged. The executive would now not, nonetheless, ban the manufacturing of all categories of plastics and has impressed producers and distributors of the banned objects in the deliver to take the option of selling them exterior Lagos.
Local environmental protection experts and activists hailed the constructing, describing it as “a obvious step in direction of addressing the global plastic disaster.”
In an earlier cell phone interview with Xinhua, Niran Alebiosu, a Lagos-based entirely mostly environmentalist, acknowledged the ban on styrofoam and single-employ plastics reflects a rising awareness of the want for sustainable practices to combat environmental degradation.
“As Nigeria’s economic powerhouse takes this crucial step, it sets an example for the total nation and underscores the importance of collective efforts in keeping the planet for future generations,” Alebiosu acknowledged, noting that the detrimental affect of plastic air pollution on marine life, soil, and air quality has raised global concerns, prompting governments and communities to take proactive measures.
“The ban aligns with worldwide handiest practices and demonstrates Lagos Issue’s commitment to achieving a cleaner and greener ambiance. Companies and folk are entreated to adopt sustainable choices, equivalent to biodegradable materials, to observe the fresh regulations,” the expert added. ■
