Lagos EHOAN commends Sanwo-Olu over ban of single use plastic

The Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN) Lagos State chapter has commended the state government for banning the use and distribution of styrofoam and other single use plastic all over the state.

President of the association, Dr Akinyele Cyril, gave the commendation in a statement issued and made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Thursday.

The statement condemned the menace styrofoams cause on the environment such as blockage of drainages leading to flooding, among other environmental nuisances.

Cyril assured the Lagos State government of the EHOAN’s readiness towards compliance to the ban.

“I want to restate our association’s readiness to achieve full compliance with this ban ordered by the government as part of our responsibilities as enshrined in the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria Act 11 of 2002 as amended, to ensure adequate compliance by residents of the state as well as companies producing the material to stop production with immediate effect.

“In spite of regular cleaning and evacuation of the drains with amounts of money spent by the Lagos State government, most of the drainage channels in the state are daily clogged up by styrofoam with its indiscriminate distribution and usage.

“Our association welcomed the idea of banning by the state government and we are joining in kicking against environmental insanity in the entire state as well as immediate implementation of the ban.

“The EHOAN Lagos State chapter cannot fold its arm, watching the continued desecration of the state’s environment, hence the need to rise against indiscriminate dumping of refuse into the stream now that this year rainy season is approaching and we must avert the consequence,” Cyril said.

Cyril further called on residents of the state to support the state government on the development by complying with environmental sanitation laws for the betterment of all and sundry.

The association further advised residents and producers not to take the ban with levity in order not to risk fines or sealing off of their premises, among other penalties.

The president urged members of the association to conduct mass inspection of food outlets, especially the food vendors for total compliance with the government’s order.