The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Tuesday approved a ban on the use of single-use plastics in all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to halt the menace of plastic pollution in the country.

Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, who joined his other colleagues at a media briefing in the State House, Abuja, stated that the ban is in tandem with the administration’s broader plastic waste management strategy and demonstrates the government’s commitment to tackling the triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Salako said the Council, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, unanimously approved the ban, which is in line with the 2022 National Policy on Plastic Waste Management.

The Minister, who also decried the menace of plastic pollution in Nigeria, described it as “a major issue in our country.”

He said plastic waste often clogs drains and contributes to flooding, while also polluting the oceans and affecting human health and the environment.

He explained that the ban is part of the administration’s efforts to promote responsible plastic waste management by refusing, reducing, reusing, repurposing, and recycling.

Salako added that the ban serves as a leading example for the Nigerian populace to be environmentally responsible and use plastic waste judiciously.

“The federal ministry of environment proposed and the federal executive council approved the ban on the use of on-the-go plastics, what we know as single-use plastics, in all ministries, agencies, and departments of the federal government. This is in line with the 2022 National Policy on Plastic Waste Management.

“We must say that the discussion in EXCO was very smooth because all members of EXCO, including Mr. President, were very enthusiastic about this ban. This ban is also in line with the commitment of Mr. President to ensure that Nigeria plays its part in ensuring that the triple crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss is frontally addressed.

“As you know, plastic is one of the key challenges that we face when we go to our drains. And when we talk about the issue of flooding, we find out that plastic waste is heavily implicated. You also find out that plastic pollution is a major issue in our oceans, a major issue affecting human health and affecting our environment.

“So, in order for us to adequately and properly use all the five principles of sustainability in terms of refusing, reducing, reusing, repurposing, and recycling, the council has approved that with some framework being put in place, there will no longer be the use of single-use plastics in all ministries, departments, and agencies of the government.

“Of course, this is to serve as leading by example to the Nigerian populace so that we know that we have to be environmentally responsible and use plastic waste responsibly.”

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