Iziaq Salako, minister of state for environment, has urged Nigerians to prepare for the inevitable ban of some plastic products nationwide.
The junior minister gave the charge on Tuesday in a statement and commended the Lagos state government for sending “a strong signal to businesses and the general public that the menace of single use plastics needs to be comprehensively addressed, if Nigeria is to deliver on her environmental agenda of sustainability.”
Mr Salako said his ministry recently inaugurated “an interagency committee to continue the process of robust consultation across government, across businesses and with all stakeholders to birth a sustainable solution that is sensitive to the Nigeria context”.
He said the ministry is examining policies and initiatives that will drive the production of alternatives to plastics.
“The current poorly regulated and indiscriminate use of plastics has to be addressed, and Nigerians must prepare for the inevitable change in this area, including banning of some products,” he said.
“In the interim, Nigerians are advised to take personal deliberate environmental actions to reduce and reuse plastics and also explore the growing market of recycling for their plastic waste.
“In the coming days, robust awareness campaign and sensitization will be rolled out to prepare Nigerians for the inevitable ban of some plastics and the wholistic circular management of our waste.”
