The House of Representatives has appealed to the federal government to prohibit the use of styrofoam across Nigeria.
The lower chamber had come to the decision on Wednesday after a motion was moved by Ibrahim Shagaya.
This call is coming after the Lagos State government recently put an embargo on the use of styrofoam material in the state.
In the motion, Shagaya remarked that the use of styrofoam and single-use plastics in Nigeria constituted significant environmental and public health risks, including pollution of waterways, soil, and air quality.
Shagaya had said:
“The chemical found in styrofoam has been linked to health issues, such as cancer, vision and hearing loss, impaired memory and concentration, as well as nervous system effects.”
The House, therefore, decided to enjoin the Federal Government to ban the production, importation, distribution, and use of styrofoam and single-use plastics in the whole of Nigeria.
In addition, the House asked the Federal Government to execute a phased approach to the ban by supplying sufficient time for businesses and industries to move to alternative eco-friendly materials and practices.
