FG To Ban Single-use Plastic

 

By Yusuf Olatunji 

The Federal government has disclosed readiness to eliminate the usage of single-use plastic in the country while encouraging Nigerians and all ministries in the country to key into the policies.  

This was said by the Minister of State Environment Dr. Isiaq Salako on Tuesday at a workshop held in Abeokuta, on Chemical Handler And Users' Workshop,  with the theme: Chemical And Waste Management Circular Solutions For A Sustainable Economy. 

Salako stated that it no doubt that plastics are useful in the country, but it is more dangerous and impact negatively on the health of the people, therefore it is pertinent to refrain from the way we use single-use plastic. 

He disclosed that at the federal government level, the Federal Ministry of Environment has banned the use of single-use plastics in all operations, departments, agencies, projects, and programs, noting that soon the federal government of Nigeria will do the same across all ministries, departments and agencies of the federal ministry of the environment. 

He said, "There's is no doubt that plastic as useful as it is to our everyday lives It also impacts negatively on the health of the people, therefore we must refrains the way we use plastic". 

"It has also been found to constitute a lot of nuisance to our environment. It's been criminated a lot of environmental issues, blocking our drains, challenges with our practice lives". 

"The immediate steps that we have taken at the federal government level in the federal ministry of environment, we have already banned the use of single-use plastics in all our operations, departments, Agencies, projects, programs, and very soon we are also proposing that the federal government of Nigeria do the same across all ministries, department,s and agencies of the federal ministry of the environment". 

Salako also posited that the environment is everything, the environment is our life, we are born in the environment, we die in the environment, the environment is our livelihood and it is everybody's responsibility. 

"It is across the government, across businesses, gender, no exception to religion, all of us must take responsibility to ensure that we manage our environment well so that we can have a healthy environment we live behind to generations occurs. that is the summary of my message"

Also, the Deputy Governor of the Ogun state who represented the Gov. Engr. Noimot Salako corroborated that single-use plastic without proper management is a major challenge in environmental issues. 

She posited that it can be well managed if all can reuse, reduce, and recycle. 

She also noted that Ogun State will continue to play a vital role in shaping Nigeria's economy and do everything to ameliorate environmental damages. 

In his welcome address, the Hon. Commissioner for Environment Engr. Ola Oresanya said, that Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) will continue its effort to ensure that chemical wastes generated within and around the State are effectively managed to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all and as well prevent improper handling storage, disposal of chemicals and wastes.