FG prohibits disposable plastic products in government offices

NIGERIA – The Nigerian Government has banned single-use plastic products (SUPPs) across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to combat the increasing waste crisis and address climate change threats within the country.

Minister of State for Environment Iziaq Adekunle Salako disclosed this decision following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, during which he highlighted the severe issue of plastic pollution in Nigeria.

Salako described the MDA ban as an initial step towards managing plastic waste nationwide. “This initiative demonstrates our commitment to addressing the triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution,” he stated.

Single-use plastic products, primarily derived from fossil fuel-based petrochemicals, include food containers, bottles, straws, wrappers, cups, cutlery, and disposable bags designed for one-time use and disposal.

Earlier in March, the Lagos State Government also banned styrofoam and other single-use plastics due to their detrimental environmental impact.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab raised concerns about the frequent blockage of drainage channels by styrofoam despite regular cleaning efforts.

FG backs Nigeria’s National Plastic Action Partnership Road Map

Meanwhile, Minister Salako has assured the ministry’s support for the launch of the Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership Road Map (NNPAP).

He made this statement while receiving the NNPAP delegation, led by Clem Ugorji, recently in Abuja for an update on the official launch of the National Action Roadmap on NNPAP.

The Minister urged the NNPAP team to ensure that the roadmap aligns with the country’s Circular Economy policy on plastic waste management.

Salako reiterated that the ban on single-use plastics in government establishments was intended to address the menace of plastic waste.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Clem Ugorji, revealed that they were in the Ministry to seek support for the upcoming launch of the NNPAP National Action Roadmap.

Ugorji further disclosed that collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) aims to gather adequate data on plastic waste in the country to enhance control and management by involving relevant stakeholders.

The Director of Pollution and Environmental Health Control at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Usman Abubakar Bukani, stated that Nigeria became a partner of the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) in January 2021, and the launch of the Nigeria National Plastic Action Partnership (NNPAP) took place in May 2023.

Bukani emphasized that the NNPAP is a locally-led multi-stakeholder collaboration platform for translating commitments to address plastic pollution into concrete action.

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