Fatimah Otunsanya
The Federal Government has inaugurated an inter-ministerial committee to coordinate the implementation of the ban on single-use plastics across the country.
The committee was inaugurated in Abuja by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary overseeing the General Services Office, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, on Tuesday.
This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the OSGF spokesman, Segun Imohiosen.
Akume explained that the decision to ban single-use plastics followed the approval of a memo presented by the Minister of Environment at the Federal Executive Council meeting held on June 25, 2024.
The banned items include polyethene terephthalate bottles, styrofoam, plastic bags, sachet water, and straws.
He said the ban aims to curb plastic pollution and reduce its harmful effects on public health, ecosystems, and marine life.
According to him, the improper disposal of plastic materials has become a major source of land and marine pollution, noting that plastics take years to decompose and contain toxic chemicals.
The Federal Government arrived at this decision following a Federal Executive Council Memorandum EC (2024) presented by the Honourable Minister of Environment, which was held on Tuesday, 25 June 2024. The FEC decision was in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle various health and environmental challenges, especially those caused by single-use plastic products.
“The government therefore approved the ban on polyethene terephthalate (PET) bottles, styrofoam, plastic bags, sachet water, and straws, which have become an environmental sanitation challenge.
The inappropriate disposal of plastic materials is a major cause of marine pollution as well as land degradation. Plastic wastes take a long time to decompose both on land and in water and therefore pose a serious threat to wildlife and public health due to toxic chemicals,” Akume was quoted as saying.
According to the statement, the inter-ministerial committee includes representatives from key ministries, departments, agencies, and stakeholder organisations.
The committee was mandated to coordinate and oversee the implementation of policies and strategies aimed at phasing out single-use plastics nationwide.
“The committee’s terms of reference include investigating issues surrounding single-use plastics, evaluating the benefits and broader implications of the ban, and designing ways to promote best environmental practices within the plastic value chain.
“The ban on single-use plastics is an initiative that underscores Nigeria’s leadership in environmental stewardship and commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” the statement added.
A report by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group estimates that Nigeria generates an average of 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with Lagos State, the country’s commercial capital, contributing 870,000 tonnes.
In 2024, Lagos State announced a ban on styrofoam and other single-use plastic items.
The Federal Government also announced a ban on single-use plastics in government offices the same year, however, with the inauguration of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Ban of Single-Use Plastics on Tuesday, the ban is expected to be broader.