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Concerns have been raised by certain Lagos State citizens regarding the state government’s proposed ban on single-use plastics (SUPs) and sachet water, claiming that it will disrupt economic activity and result in job losses.

The locals urged the state administration to reconsider the proposed ban in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

Remember that the Environment and Water Resources Commissioner, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, recently revealed plans to outlaw SUPs and sachet water by January 2025 during a stakeholders’ workshop?

According to Wahab, the goal of the strategy is to create long-term rules for handling plastic garbage while preserving the environment and public health.

He pointed out that single-use plastics and Styrofoam take centuries to decompose, therefore the prohibition essential for environmental protection.

According to Wahab, the Lagos State Government is collaborating closely with businesses in the private sector to offer substitutes for styrofoam containers and other SUPs, all the while promoting technology development into new solutions.

Fears of job losses, economic disruption, and uncertainty among stakeholders have been sparked by the proposed ban, which has sent shockwaves through the manufacturing and retail industries.

Concerns over the restriction have also been expressed by water merchants, who mostly depend on sachet water for their income.

Mr. Akinyemi Bolaji, the Sales Manager at Aremson Water Ltd., Ojo First Gate and a resident of Lagos, told NAN that many people will lose their jobs as a result of the restriction.

“I am more particular about employment. The ban will not favor anyone, and it will make thousands of people lose their source of livelihood.

“On the other hand, what is the reason for the ban? People are consuming it daily, so is there any way the government is putting it out to give people clean water?

“There should be other alternatives to curb the whole recycling issue,” he said.

Although he applauded the government for taking the initiative, he asked for a better substitute to guarantee that the prohibition won’t have an impact on the work of those in the water industry.

“The government should help in educating the people on proper disposal, as it’s written on the body of the plastic.

“Eradicating all these factories that produce the SUPs is not the best way. It’s a solution in one aspect and hazardous in another,” he said.

In order to address the issue of single-use plastics clogging drainage systems, he recommended that the government put trash cans at each residence and bus stop.

According to Mrs. Vera Osiyemi, a retail water vendor, sachet water has shown to be the most effective means of preventing cholera.

“I don’t think it is going to be possible. This is what everyone consumes. If the government bans it, does it mean we are going back to our old way of selling iced water?”

“The solution is to create awareness, educate the people on how to dispose of it properly, and provide bins. Just like we had in the old days, it was in every house,” Osiyemi said.

Mrs. Afusat Ajibola, another vendor, stated that since obtaining clean water was the primary goal, the prohibition might not be enforceable.

“So, if the government eventually bans it, it will result in a serious cholera outbreak.

“It is not possible. The government can ban it, but it cannot work. There is no way we are going back to selling iced water,” she said.

She continued by saying that there might be a way for the government to regulate who consumes it.

“It is to provide bins and continue to keep Lagos clean,” she said.

Miss Joy Okafor, a different retailer, claimed she was unaware of the impending restriction.

“Even if there would be a ban, we should understand that it’s not just the single-use and sachet nylon water that block the drainage.

“There are other causes, like disposables, as well.

“The government knows what is best, but in this case, it is not possible. Will they provide clean pipe-borne water for streets and houses?

“What will be the next step of the government? The only thing I’m seeing is more unemployment, because people sell it to make ends meet,” she said.

Instead of outlawing it, she argued, the government should find ways to reduce the issue at hand.

Water distributor Mr. Chinedu Eze expressed uncertainty about what would happen following the prohibition.

“I have been in the business for years. Now, I’m uncertain about the future. This isn’t just about access to water; it’s about the survival of thousands of us,” he said.

Another Lagos resident, a street vendor known only as Mummy Boma, told NAN that the proposed ban will negatively impact her means of subsistence.

“Selling pure water helps me feed my children and send them to school. Bottled water is too expensive to buy or sell in bulk.

“The government should rather enforce stricter regulations on sachet water producers to ensure better quality control and hygiene standards,” she said.

Dr. Olufemi Adeyemi, a resident and physician, expressed concern that Lagosians could no longer have access to reasonably priced and drinkable water as a result of the prohibition.

“Though some sachet water contains contaminated water due to lack of regulation, the government needs to provide alternative safe water sources before any ban is enforced.

“Without proper preparation, banning ‘pure water’ could leave millions of Nigerians without a reliable and affordable water option.

“Instead of an outright ban, the government could invest in public water systems to ensure a reliable supply of clean water in both urban and rural areas,” he said.

This would lessen the population’s reliance on sachet water, he continued.

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