The Labour Party governorship candidate for the 2023 Lagos State election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has criticised the state government’s decision to ban single-use plastics and styrofoam packs, calling it a “hasty impulsive decision” that could harm the economy and the livelihood of citizens.
In a tweet posted on Monday, Rhodes-Vivour said the ban, which was announced by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Sunday, did not take into account the significant investments made by manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers of these products, as well as the thousands of small business owners who depend on them.
“Did the government care 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? Did it think about the potential loss of jobs and the utter devastation it would bring to manufacturers?” he asked.
He also accused the ruling party and the administration of lacking the “temperament to accommodate stakeholder engagements and the discipline to create meaningful policies to address critical issues without destroying the livelihood of citizens.”
Rhodes-Vivour, who lost to the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in the 2023 election, and challenged the result at the Supreme Court, said he believed that a more sustainable and phased-out approach should be adopted to address the environmental challenges posed by single-use plastics.
He proposed alternative policy measures, such as:
“Education and Awareness Programs: Launch comprehensive public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the environmental impact of single-use plastics and encourage responsible consumption and disposal.
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“Incentives for Alternatives: Provide incentives and support for businesses to transition to environmentally friendly alternatives such as biodegradable materials and reusable packaging.
“Recycling Infrastructure: Invest in robust recycling infrastructure to facilitate the collection and proper disposal of plastic waste.
“Regulate the pricing of plastic bottles: Ensure that plastic bottles are priced (N5 – N10 per bottle) as that will provide the needed incentive for citizens to properly dispose of these plastics and earn a tangible amount.
“Extended Producer Responsibility: Implement EPR policies to hold producers accountable for the entire life cycle of their products, encouraging sustainable practices.
“Collaboration with Stakeholders: Engage stakeholders, including manufacturers, retailers, environmental experts, and community representatives, to develop a holistic and inclusive strategy.”
He urged the Lagos state government and the commissioner of environment to reconsider the abrupt ban and collaborate with stakeholders to develop a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to address the issue of plastic pollution in Lagos State.
The Lagos State Government has not yet responded to Rhodes-Vivour’s tweet or his policy suggestions.