The Lagos State government has refuted claims that it has banned sachet water, stating that it has no plans to do so.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, made this clarification yesterday in response to a viral video depicting individuals destroying sachet water packs at factories and on buses.

Wahab explained that the individuals in the video are not enforcement officers from the Lagos State government or the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources but from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

According to him, the actions seen in the video are part of NAFDAC’s enforcement exercises targeting non-compliant sachet water products to safeguard public health.

He emphasised that the state government’s focus remains on tackling plastic waste through sustainable measures. “As outlined during the Engagement Workshop on October 3, 2024, we are committed to implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for producers of PET bottles, sachets, and carrier bags of no less than 40 microns,” Wahab said.

To support this initiative, the government is partnering with producers and Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) to establish a Plastic Waste Management Fund. The fund will be financed by contributions from producers and major importers to address plastic waste challenges.

Wahab urged the public to disregard any misinformation about a sachet water ban and assured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to sustainable waste management while protecting the economic interests of Lagosians.

Meanwhile, NAFDAC denied its officials’ involvement in the alleged enforcement activities or being part of the investigation and enforcement team.

The agency in a statement also noted that stopping vehicles to destroy products is unprofessional and does not align with any NAFDAC’s standard operating procedure.
Photo and caption: Wahab