By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Federal Government yesterday announced a ban on single-use plastics across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, MDAs to address the growing issue of plastic pollution in Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said that the ban aligns with President Tinubu’s administration’s broader plastic waste management strategy and demonstrates the government’s commitment to tackling the triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
The Minister also said that the Council, including President Tinubu, unanimously approved the ban, which is in line with the 2022 National Policy on Plastic Waste Management.
Salako stressed the severity of plastic pollution in Nigeria, describing it as “a major issue in our country”.
He affirmed that plastic waste often clogs drains and contributes to flooding, while also polluting the oceans and affecting human health and the environment.
He explained that the ban is part of the administration’s efforts to promote responsible plastic waste management by refusing, reducing, reusing, repurposing, and recycling.
Salako added that the ban serves as a leading example for the Nigerian populace to be environmentally responsible and use plastic waste judiciously.
He said, “The Federal Ministry of Environment proposed and the Federal Executive Council approved the ban on the use of on-the-go plastics, what we know as single-use plastics in all ministries, agencies, and departments of the federal governments. This is in line with the 2022 national policy on gas-to-waste management.
“We must say that the discussion in EXCO was very smooth because all members of the EXCO including Mr. President were very enthusiastic about this ban. This ban is also in line with the commitment of Mr. President to ensure that Nigeria plays its part in ensuring that the triple crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss is frontally addressed.
“As you know, plastic is one of the key challenges that we face when we go to our drains. And when we talk about the issue of flooding, we find out that plastic waste is heavily criminated. You also find out that plastic pollution is a major issue in our oceans, it is a major issue affecting human health affecting our environment.
“So, for us to adequately and properly use all the five principles of sustainability in terms of refusing, reducing, reusing, repurposing and recycling, the council has approved that with some framework being put in place, that will be no longer make use of single-use plastics, with all ministries, departments, and agencies of governments.
“Of course, this is to serve as leading by example, to the Nigerian populace so that we know that we have to be environmentally responsible and use plastic waste very, very responsibly.”
