State Government Intensifies Efforts to Tackle Plastic Waste and Flooding
The Lagos State government has announced that enforcement of the ban on Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) will begin in the next two weeks, as part of its ongoing efforts to curb plastic waste and its harmful impact on the environment.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the timeline while inspecting flood-prone areas and infrastructure projects on Lagos Island and its environs, culminating at the Ilubirin Waterfront.
Wahab reiterated that the ban on Styrofoam and SUPs, introduced in December 2024, would be strictly enforced starting January 2025. “There is no going back on a total ban of SUPs. We are currently having conversations in respect of how to phase them off,” he said, adding that enforcement will commence before the end of January.
The move follows the state’s earlier ban on Styrofoam in January 2024, which aimed to reduce the prevalence of plastic waste in Lagos. Wahab noted that public littering, particularly with Styrofoam, has decreased since enforcement measures began.
During a visit to the Ilubirin Pump Station, Wahab highlighted the impact of human behavior on the city’s drainage systems. “In fairness to the government, we saw the level of degradation. Infrastructure built by Julius Berger with proper road networks, drainage, and walkways has been compromised by poor human behavior that clogged up the system,” he said.
The inspection was part of preparations for the regeneration of Lagos Island’s infrastructure. Wahab emphasized the urgency of ensuring contractors are ready to begin work and explore ways to shorten the project timeline.
