The Lagos State Government has firmly denied rumors that it plans to ban sachet water in the state, following a viral video that caused widespread speculation.
The video depicted individuals bursting sachet water packs at factories and on buses, leading to claims that the government was enforcing a ban.
In response, Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, clarified in a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle that the individuals in the video were not from the Lagos State Government but were enforcement officers from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
These officers were conducting an enforcement exercise related to sachet water that failed to meet NAFDAC regulations, aimed at ensuring public health and safety.
Wahab emphasized that the Lagos State Government has no intention of banning sachet water, stating that the administration’s focus remains on sustainable plastic waste management practices.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing plastic waste through measures such as the mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for producers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) products, including sachets and carrier bags of at least 40 microns.
In addition, Wahab highlighted the establishment of a Plastic Waste Management Fund, which will be supported by contributions from producers and importers, to help tackle the growing plastic waste challenge in the state.
The commissioner urged Lagosians to disregard the misinformation circulating about a sachet water ban.
Earlier in October, the state government clarified that the upcoming ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam, scheduled for implementation in January 2025, would not affect sachet water or PET bottles.
