FG bans single-use plastics across MDA’s
Kunle Sanni
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the ban of Single -use plastics across all Federal Government parastatals and agencies in its bid to prevent environmental pollution.
Briefing State House Correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Minister of State for Environment, Ishaq Salako said the ban is to align with climate change policies and to protect the ecosystem and ensure biodiversity.
According to him, “This initiative demonstrates our commitment to addressing the triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.”
The minister highlighted the severity of plastic pollution in Nigeria, describing it as “a major issue in our country”.
Salako added that the ban serves as a leading example for the Nigerian populace to be environmentally responsible and use plastic waste judiciously.
“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,” the minister said.
“This is in line with the 2022 national policy on 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.
“As you know, plastic is one of the key challenges that we face when we go to our drains. And when we talk about the issue of flooding, we find out that plastic waste is heavily criminalised.
“So for us to adequately and properly use all 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, there will be no longer the use of single-use plastics in all ministries, departments, and agencies of governments.
“Of course, this is to serve as a leading by example to the Nigerian populace so that we know that we have to be environmentally responsible and use plastic waste very, very responsibly.”
