The Lagos State Government has denied reports claiming it has banned the sale and distribution of sachet water, commonly referred to as “pure water.”
This clarification comes in response to circulating rumors that such a ban would take effect in 2025.
In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, dismissed the reports as baseless misinformation.
Addressing a viral video showing the destruction of sachet water packs at factories and on buses, Wahab clarified that the individuals involved were not affiliated with any Lagos State ministry or agency. Instead, they were enforcement officers from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
“These officers were enforcing NAFDAC regulations by targeting sachet water that fails to meet compliance standards, prioritizing public health and safety,” Wahab explained.
The commissioner emphasized that Lagos State has no intention of banning sachet water. Instead, the government is committed to enhancing plastic waste management. He highlighted the introduction of mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for manufacturers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) products, sachets, and carrier bags with a thickness of at least 40 microns as part of its environmental sustainability strategy.
Wahab’s statement reassured residents of the government’s focus on sustainability while addressing health and environmental challenges. The clarification has elicited mixed reactions, with some commending the government’s transparency and others expressing concern over the spread of misinformation.
Bags of sachet water destroyed in Lagos state.
Recall that the Lagos State Government had clarified back in October that the ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam, which is set to take effect from January 2025, will not include sachet water and PET bottles. pic.twitter.com/5w21YUN4nA
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