By Yemi Olakitan
The full enforcement of the ban on usage and distribution of the Styrofoam food containers is to begin on Monday, all over the state. The Lagos State Government announced this on Friday.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab made this disclosure during a meeting with all market leaders in Lagos state at the BlueRoof, Lagos Television, Ikeja.
According to him, enforcement officers from LAGESC/KAI, Environmental Health Officials LAWMA Police and the Ministry would go after all those having styrofoams in their shops, stores or outlets and confiscate them.
Wahab emphasized that styrofoam usage had caused enough damage to the health of the residents and the state of the environment for so many years and that the government was determined to encourage viable options for Styrofoam containers across the metropolis.
He appealed to market leaders to be reminded that cleanliness is next to Godliness and as such they must ensure that a clean environment remains a priority always.
Wahab added that the government was disturbed about the unsanitary habits in most of the markets across the state, hence leading to the recent closure of some markets across the state.
He explained that the government derived no pleasure in closing people’s businesses, emphasising that some markets were in a sorry state because of the nonchalant attitude of the market executives.
He also said[ that there were recent reports that government officials were attacked whenever they visited markets to ascertain the sanitary levels and enforcement of environmental laws in the market.
“I would like to appeal to all our traders to desist from selling on the railway lines and all the roads. Also, we must stop littering our market with waste. We must segregate our wastes in our respective markets; bag our wastes and ensure we patronize PSP operators”.
He stressed that in a few weeks, the state government would commission the Red Rail line that is expected to operate from dusk till dawn, adding that trading activities on the railway lines are very risky and could lead to loss of lives.
Special Adviser on Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu charged market leaders with the responsibility of ensuring cleanliness in their respective markets places that selling on the roads should be discouraged by all.
Managing Director, of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegeshin noted that the meeting became necessary to outline the position of the government on effective waste management in all markets, in line with the THEMES plus Agenda of the present administration.
He recalled that last year, the government embarked on zero tolerance for filth and indiscriminate waste disposal in markets, road medians, business facilities and unauthorised locations around the state, saying that the objective is to make Lagos a clean and healthy city, livable for all.
“I must note again, that all government’s effort in the area of effective waste management, is to build a people-friendly environment, that guarantees happiness and good health for all residents” he said.