‘Pure water’ not yet banned in Lagos, says Tokunbo Wahab

Following the recent ban on styrofoam and single-use plastics (SUPs) in Lagos, there have been questions on whether sachet water, popularly known as “pure water” in Nigerian parlance, was among the banned items. 

Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos commissioner for environment and water resources, had on January 21 announced an immediate ban on the usage and distribution of SUPs, especially styrofoam, across the state.

However, after a meeting with stakeholders, the ban — which was due to the impact of SUPs on the environment — was postponed by three weeks.

In an interview with TheCable, the commissioner said the scope of the ban covers styrofoam which is “completely banned due to its non-biodegradable nature”.

“Disposable plastic cutlery and plates are also banned. Biodegradable alternatives will be encouraged, while single-use options will be banned,” he added.

He said plastic bottles are not banned but that “encouragement will shift towards refill and deposit-refund systems, not outright bans”.

When asked if pure water is also on the banned list, Tokunbo said: “Not in the immediate”.

As businesses begin to adjust to the new policy in Lagos, environmentalists have rallied round the decision, saying it is a step in the right direction, and one that will help tackle the menace of plastic pollution in Nigeria’s most populous city.