Edo State Government has decried the use of Styrofoam in the State, and has declared that it will roll out policies to take the product out of the market, and discontinue its use in the State effective end of April 2024.
The Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, Edo State, Arc. Joshua Omokhodion, made this statement during a meeting with the executives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in his office, in Benin City, Edo State.
Arc. Omokhodion explained that Styrofoam is a brand of expanded plastics made from polystyrene foam which is non-biodegradable and pollutes the environment, with the capacity to cause cancer.
He noted that the reason for the meeting was to solicit the support of MAN and other stakeholders to eradicate the trend which is almost turning to an epidemic.
“As you are aware some states in the country have banned the use of this product because it is hazardous to our health.
“We need to be proactive, and what better way to deal with it than to involve the Associations themselves because if they do not produce, people will not have such products to buy,” Omokhodion said.
The Hon. Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability stressed that Edo State Government would apply the necessary sanctions, noting that the health of the people is of utmost priority.
On his part, the Chairman, Edo/Delta State Branch of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Ehizogie Osadolor, applauded the State Government on the move to ban the use of Styrofoam, and used the opportunity to request for extension of the timeline to face out already produced items, in consideration of investments already made by some members of MAN in the business.
In a similar move, the Hon. Commissioner also held a meeting with Plastic Sellers Association informing them of Government’s plan to ban the use of such products in the State.
