Lagos says won’t ban sale of sachet water, denies reports of proposal
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Alausa, the seat of government in Lagos, has denied reports that it has banned or is mulling a ban on the sale of sachet water, generally called pure water, a commodity very popular with residents because the small pack is handy for drinking and for achieving other purposes requiring water.
Lagos Environment and Water Resources Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab clarified the situation in a statement posted on his official X (Twitter) account.
He was reacting to a video posted on social media which shows enforcement officers destroying packs of sachet water in the metropolis.
Wahab explained that the officials in the video are National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) staff getting rid of unregistered and unsafe products in the interest of public safety and health.
“My attention has been drawn to a viral video showing some individuals bursting sachet water packs at factories and on buses,” he said.
“I wish to categorically state that these individuals are not enforcement officers from any Lagos State Government agency or the Lagos State Ministry of the 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 (NAFDAC).
“Their actions are part of an enforcement exercise targeting sachet water that does not comply with NAFDAC regulations and 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 polythene terephthalate (PET), sachets, and carrier bags of no less than 40 40 microns.”
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