The Federal Government has commenced the process to ban single-use plastics, inaugurating a committee to steer the policy.The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Ban of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) was inaugurated yesterday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), signalling a significant escalation in the nation’s fight against plastic pollution.

The ban, which received approval at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on June 25, 2024, specifically targets ubiquitous items such as Polyethene Terephthalate (PET) bottles, styrofoam food packs, plastic shopping bags, sachet water packaging, and plastic straws.

In his inaugural address, the SGF, George Akume, stated that the initiative aligned with Nigeria’s commitment to global environmental standards.
He said: “The FEC decision was in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle various health and environmental challenges, especially those caused by single-use plastic products and therefore, approved the ban in the country of polyethene terephthalate (PET) bottles, styrofoam, plastic bags, sachet water and straw, which has become an environmental sanitation challenge.”

“The inappropriate disposal of plastic materials is a major cause of marine pollution as well as land degradation. Plastic wastes take a longer time to decompose both on land and in water; therefore, they pose a serious threat to wildlife and public health due to the toxic chemicals.”

The SGF, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Mr Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, highlighted that the government’s push within the context of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represented Nigeria’s most decisive action to curb plastic pollution.