The Lagos State Government has refuted claims of an impending ban on sachet water, emphasizing its focus on sustainable plastic waste management.
This clarification came from the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who addressed the issue through a statement on his X handle on Sunday.
Wahab’s response followed the circulation of a viral video showing individuals destroying sachet water packs in factories and buses.
The video sparked speculation about a government-imposed ban. However, Wahab dismissed the rumours, stressing that the individuals in the footage were not from any Lagos State agency.
“These individuals are not enforcement officers from any Lagos State Government agency or the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources,” Wahab stated.
He explained that the operatives in the video were from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control enforcing compliance with sachet water regulations to safeguard public health.
The commissioner further highlighted the administration’s commitment to tackling plastic waste through sustainable strategies.
He reaffirmed that Lagos has no plans to prohibit sachet water but is prioritizing measures like Extended Producer Responsibility.
The initiative mandates producers of plastic items, including sachets and PET bottles, to ensure proper waste management.
“To further support this initiative, the Lagos State Government, in collaboration with Producers and Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), is establishing a Plastic Waste Management Fund,” Wahab added.
This fund, financed by contributions from producers and importers, aims to combat the plastic waste crisis.
Wahab urged residents to disregard any false information regarding a sachet water ban.
He also clarified that the state’s upcoming ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam, effective January 2025, will not include sachet water and PET bottles.
