By Abdullahi Lukman
Stakeholders in Ekiti State have called for stringent punitive measures against individuals and businesses involved in the indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste.
This resolution was reached at a Pre-Legislative Stakeholder Engagement Workshop on the proposed Ekiti State Plastic Regulation Bill, organized by the TGED Foundation in partnership with the Ekiti State House of Assembly Committee on Environment.
Key recommendations from the forum include the enforcement of penalties such as fines, imprisonment, and compulsory community service for plastic waste offenders.
Stakeholders also proposed a phased rollout of the bill to allow for adequate public awareness and adjustment by manufacturers and consumers.
The participants advocated economic incentives for businesses to transition to eco-friendly and decomposable packaging, and called for the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and a circular economy model.
Suggestions were also made to establish sorting and recycling facilities across the state to enhance waste management.
Further resolutions emphasized the promotion of reusable alternatives such as cloth shopping bags, improved welfare for sweepers and informal waste workers, including salary raises and health insurance, and the integration of these workers into monitoring and enforcement frameworks.
The forum recommended the formation of a multi-stakeholder task force comprising civil society organizations, youth groups, market associations, and traditional leaders to ensure effective implementation of the bill.
Public education and behavioral change campaigns—especially in local languages—were also prioritized.
Convener of the forum, Mrs. Ebenezer Oluwaseyi, underscored the urgency of addressing single-use plastic pollution in Ekiti, describing the gathering as a critical platform to shape a people-centered law.
Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, expressed full legislative support for the bill, noting that it had passed its first reading.
He assured participants of an accelerated legislative process and reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to combating plastic pollution.
The workshop was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from regulatory bodies, the private sector, informal waste pickers, youth organizations, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and religious leaders.
