Rhodes-Vivour disagrees with Lagos on plastic ban

Labor Party’s 2023 Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has criticized the Lagos State government’s decision to ban plastics, calling it a “hasty, impulsive decision” devoid of critical policymaking.

Lagos State over the weekend banned the use and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics in the state, with immediate effect, stating that most drainage channels in the state were clogged on a daily basis.

The government said that despite regular cleaning and evacuation of sewage using huge resources, massive distribution and utilization occurred.

Following the ban on the use and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics, the government also ordered restrictions on all manufacturing companies and distribution outlets in the state to prevent further distribution of the banned products.

However, Rhodes-Vivour said in a statement on Monday that the ban lacks a considered alternative and risks destroying the livelihoods of thousands of Lagosians.

“While I recognize the importance of addressing environmental issues and the impact of plastic pollution in Lagos, I find the sudden introduction of this ban without a thoughtful alternative policy deeply concerning,” Rhodes-Vivour said.

“This decision fails to take into account the significant investments made by manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers of these products, which may result in serious economic consequences.”

Rhodes-Vivour also questioned whether the government had taken into account the “thousands of retailers and small business owners” whose incomes depend on these products and who may be at risk of losing their jobs or closing their businesses.

He accused the current administration of lacking “the temperament to engage stakeholders and the discipline needed to create meaningful policies.”

“Has the government thought about what will happen to the thousands of retailers and small business owners, from Idumota to Oshodi and Ojota, whose livelihoods are tied to this product? Has he thought about the potential loss of jobs and the utter devastation it will bring to manufacturers?

“It has become obvious that this administration and the party it represents lack the temperament to accommodate stakeholder engagement and the discipline to craft meaningful policy to address critical issues without destroying citizens’ livelihoods.”

However, he presented an alternative approach, advocating a phased-out strategy focusing on educational awareness programs, incentives for alternative solutions, recycling infrastructure, price regulation of plastic products, extended producer responsibility and cooperation with stakeholders.

“I believe a more sustainable and phased out approach needs to be taken to address the environmental challenges posed by single-use plastics. Instead of an immediate ban, we propose the following alternative policy measures,” he noted.