By Egena Sunday Ode
The Federal Executive Council has given approval to the ban on single-use plastics across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, MDAs, to address the growing issue of plastic waste management in the country.
It stressed that plastic pollution had become a major environmental issue in the country
The Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, stated this while briefing newsmen on the outcomes of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to him, the ban aligned with President Tinubu’s administration’s broader plastic waste management strategy and demonstrated the government’s commitment to tackling the triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
The Minister also noted that the Council, including President Tinubu, unanimously approved the ban, which is in line with the 2022 National Policy on Plastic Waste Management.
Stressing the severity of plastic pollution in Nigeria, the Minister affirmed that plastic waste often clogs drains and contributes to flooding, while also polluting the oceans and affecting human health and the environment.
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 serves as 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 single-use 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 from gas to waste management.
“We must say that the discussion in FEC was very smooth because all members of Exco including Mr. President was very enthusiastic about this ban. This ban is also in line with the commitment of Mr. President to ensure that Nigeria plays its part in ensuring that the triple crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss is frontally address.
“As you know, plastic is one of the key challenges that we face when we go to our drains. And when we talk about issue of flooding, we find out that plastic waste is heavily criminated. You also find out that plastic pollution is a major issue in our oceans, it is a major issue affecting human health affecting our environment.
“So, in order for us to adequately and properly use all the five principles of sustainability in terms of refusing, reducing, reusing, repurposing and recycling, council has approved that with some framework being put in place, that will be no longer make use of single use plastics, in all ministries, departments and agencies of government.
“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.
“Let me just say categorically, again, for purposes of clarity. The ban is for federal government ministries, agencies and departments, it is not nationwide. However, this is, in a way preparatory, if you look at the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, which was adopted in 2022, it envisaged that by January 2025, some categories of plastics will be banned in Nigeria and most of them are single-use; plastic spools, straws, PET bottles, pure water sachets, and so on and so forth.
“So what the federal government is doing is preparing the minds of Nigeria and leading by example. When you see this thing being done in the federal ministries and agencies, it will convince you that it is possible, as a matter of fact, I can tell you that in the Federal Ministry of Environment, we started the ban since January 2024 and it’s been largely”, the Minister said.
