Nigeria Commits to Fight Against Plastics by Phasing Out Plastic Bags

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): On the sidelines of the 2018 Earth Day celebrations, the Nigerian administration has expressed its commitment to phase out the use of non-biodegradable plastics. The announcement to this effect was made by Ibrahim Jibril, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Environment.

According to him, the country’s government plans to impose ban on plastic bags after ensuring availability of alternative packaging options to public. He urged countrymen to join the fight to end plastic pollution, stating that plastic pollution causes destruction of land and marine life.

Jibril noted that the Federal Ministry of Environment has been involved in efforts to develop a national strategy for the phase-out of non-biodegradable plastics, in partnership with all stakeholders. The Ministry is currently in efforts to develop a National Policy on Waste Management, he added.

In addition, it will collaborate with state governments to establish plastic waste recycling plants across the country. The construction of eight such plants is already completed and is handed over to respective states, whereas 18 recycling plants are at various stages of completion. Similar plants are also established under the Ministry’s community-based waste management programme.

Nigeria is poised to become the next African country to impose total ban on use of plastic bags. All earlier attempts to do so had gone in vain.