In a significant move towards environmental sustainability, the Federal Government has announced a ban on single-use plastics across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
This decision was revealed by the minister of state for environment, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, following a Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Salako emphasised that this ban aligns with the government’s broader plastic waste management strategy.
He said the ban on single plastics in MDAs is preparatory to a nationwide ban next year.
The minister highlighted the severity of plastic pollution in Nigeria, describing it as “a major issue in our country.”
He explained that the ban is part of the administration’s efforts to promote responsible plastic waste management by refusing, reducing, reusing, repurposing, and recycling.
Salako added that the ban is a leading example for the Nigerian populace to be environmentally responsible and use plastic waste judiciously.
He said, “The federal ministry of environment proposed and the federal executive council approved the ban on the use of on-the-go plastics, what we know as single-use plastics in all ministries, agencies and departments of the federal governments. This is in line with the 2022 national policy on from gas to waste management.
“We must say that the discussion in EXCO was very smooth because all members of EXCO, including Mr President, were very enthusiastic about this ban.
“This ban is also in line with the president’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria plays its part in addressing the triple crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss frontally.
“You also find out that plastic pollution is a major issue in our oceans, is a major issue affecting human health affecting our environment.
“So, for us to adequately and properly use all the five principles of sustainability in terms of refusing, reducing, reusing, repurposing and recycling, the council has approved that with some framework being put in place that will be no longer use of single-use plastics, with all ministries, departments and agencies of governments.
“Of course, this is to serve as a leading example to the Nigerian populace so that we know that we have to be environmentally responsible and use plastic waste responsibly,” he said.
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