No Going Back On Styrofoam Ban- LASG

By Mohammed Adekola

The Lagos state government, on Thursday said there is no going back on the total ban of 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 Alausa.

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 three weeks are 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 of Styrofoam was made over three years 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 menance brought upon the environment cannot be quantified.

The Commissioner added that the lives of the residents is far more important than the profit producers set to make for the continuous production of Styrofoam.