The 2023 governorship candidate for the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has censured the Lagos State Government’s unexpected ban on single-use plastics and styrofoam packs.
Recall that on Sunday, the Lagos State Government prohibited the use and distribution of single-use plastics and styrofoam packs in the state.
Mr Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources had announced the ban via a statement released on Sunday by the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina.
However, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour via a post he shared on X on Monday noted that while addressing environmental concerns was crucial, the ‘abrupt’ ban could gravely impact manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers.
Rhodes-Vivour had added that the decision did not fully consider the investments made in the plastics value chain nor its potential economic implications.
“I don’t think the government cared to think about what would happen to the thousands of retailers and small business owners, from Idumota to Oshodi and Ojota, whose livelihoods are tied to this product?”
Rhodes-Vivour reckoned that the move showed a lack of stakeholder engagement and policy discipline by the state government.
To this, he proposed alternative policy measures like public education, improved recycling behaviour and extended producer responsibility.
He also advocated for a more sustainable, phased approach instead of an immediate blanket ban.
“I urge the Lagos state government and the reactionary commissioner of the environment to rethink the sudden ban and partner with stakeholders to build a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to address the issue of plastic pollution in Lagos State.”
“Lagos will benefit a lot more from a holistic waste management plan that incentivises Local governments to treat waste as wealth. By establishing and enabling biodegradable alternatives and giving manufacturers a timeline to switch, we get better stakeholder buy-in and adoption,” he said.
