The Lagos State Government, through Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab, reaffirmed that there are no intentions to ban sachet water in the state.
Wahab announced this in a statement sent on Sunday via his X account in response to a viral video spreading on social media.
The video showed people bursting packs of sachet water in factories and on buses, raising rumors of a government ban.
The commissioner’s tweets read, “My attention has been drawn to a viral video showing some individuals bursting sachet water packs at factories and on buses. I wish to categorically state that these individuals are not enforcement officers from any Lagos State Government agency or the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
“Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the individuals in question are enforcement officers from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Their actions are part of an enforcement exercise targeting sachet water that does not comply with NAFDAC regulations and is in the interest of public health and safety.
“It is important to emphasise that Lagos State has not banned sachet water and does not have plans to do so. Our focus remains on effective plastic waste management. As part of our commitment, we are implementing mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for producers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), sachets, and carrier bags of no less than 40 microns.
“To further support this initiative, the Lagos State Government, in collaboration with Producers and Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), is establishing a Plastic Waste Management Fund. This fund will be financed by contributions from producers and major importers and will be jointly managed to address the growing challenges of plastic waste in the state.”
The commissioner urged the public to disregard any misinformation suggesting a ban on sachet water in Lagos.