The Lagos State Government has officially dismissed rumors of a ban on sachet
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources water in the state Tokunbo Wahab, made the clarification in response to a viral video that was circulating on social media. The video depicted individuals bursting sachet water packs in factories and buses, which led to widespread speculation that the state government was instituting a ban.
Wahab took to his social media platform on Sunday to set the record straight, confirming that the people shown in the video were not from any Lagos State enforcement agency. “I wish to categorically state that 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 further explained that the individuals in question were operatives from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), who were conducting an enforcement exercise targeting sachet water that failed to comply with health and safety regulations.
The commissioner emphasized that there are no plans to ban sachet water in Lagos. “Lagos State has not banned sachet water and does not have plans to do so. Our focus remains on effective plastic waste management,” he clarified. Wahab outlined that the state’s efforts are geared towards sustainable solutions to plastic waste, including the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for producers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), sachets, and carrier bags.
He also highlighted that the state government is working alongside producers and Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) to establish a Plastic Waste Management Fund. This fund will be financed by contributions from producers and major importers to address the growing issue of plastic waste in the state.
The clarification follows a previous announcement in October 2024 that the state’s upcoming ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam, scheduled to take effect in January 2025, will not include sachet water or PET bottles.
Wahab urged Lagos residents to disregard any misinformation suggesting that sachet water would be banned, reaffirming that the government’s efforts are focused on enhancing plastic waste management, not prohibiting essential consumer goods.
