Former Lagos State Labour Party governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has raised concerns over the abrupt implementation of the plastic ban in Lagos, highlighting the need for a more thoughtful and comprehensive approach to environmental policy-making.
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In a press statement seen by Freelanews, Rhodes-Vivour emphasized the potential economic repercussions and urged the government to consider alternative measures before endangering the livelihoods of citizens.
Expressing worry about the lack of stakeholder engagement in the decision-making process, Rhodes-Vivour questioned whether the government had considered the impact on small business owners and manufacturers whose livelihoods depend on plastic products.
He proposed a phased-out approach and suggested alternative policy measures, including robust public awareness campaigns, incentives for eco-friendly alternatives, and enhanced recycling infrastructure.
Among the proposed measures, Rhodes-Vivour advocated for the regulation of plastic bottle pricing, extended producer responsibility policies, and collaboration with stakeholders to formulate a holistic and inclusive strategy.
He urged the Lagos State government and the Commissioner of Environment to reconsider the ban and work collaboratively to develop a sustainable solution to plastic pollution in the state.
Read full statement below.
PRESS STATEMENT
Plastic Ban: Hasty Impulsive Decisions Are No Substitute For Critical Policy Making.
While I acknowledge the importance of addressing environmental concerns and the impact of plastic pollution in Lagos, I find the sudden implementation of this ban without a well-thought-out alternative policy deeply troubling. This decision lacks consideration for the significant investments made by manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers of these products, potentially causing severe economic implications.
Did the government care to think about what would happen to the thousands of retailers and small business owners, from Idumota to Oshodi and Ojota, whose livelihoods are tied to this product? Did it think about the potential loss of jobs and the utter devastation it would bring to manufacturers?
It has become evident that this administration and the party it represents lacks the temperament to accommodate stakeholder engagements and the discipline to create meaningful policies to address critical issues without destroying the livelihood of citizens.
I believe that a more sustainable and phased-out approach should be adopted to address the environmental challenges posed by single-use plastics. Rather than an immediate ban, we propose the following alternative policy measures:
Education and Awareness Programs
Launch comprehensive public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the environmental impact of single-use plastics and encourage responsible consumption and disposal.
Incentives for Alternatives
Provide incentives and support for businesses to transition to environmentally friendly alternatives such as biodegradable materials and reusable packaging.
Recycling Infrastructure
Invest in robust recycling infrastructure to facilitate the collection and proper disposal of plastic waste.
Regulate the pricing of plastic bottles
Ensure that plastic bottles are priced (N5 – N10 per bottle) as that will provide the needed incentive for citizens to properly dispose these plastics and earn a tangible amount.
Extended Producer Responsibility
Implement EPR policies to hold producers accountable for the entire life cycle of their products, encouraging sustainable practices.
Collaboration with Stakeholders
Engage stakeholders, including manufacturers, retailers, environmental experts, and community representatives, to develop a holistic and inclusive strategy.
Therefore, I urge the Lagos state government and the reactionary commissioner of environment to reconsider the abrupt ban and collaborate with stakeholders to develop a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to address the issue of plastic pollution in Lagos State.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
