By Mosoe Kehinde
Oyo State House of Assembly has urged the state government to ban the use of Styrofoam for food purposes in the state.
The appeal followed a motion on the need to ban the usage of Styrofoams for food service, storage and other related usage in Oyo State Co-sponsored by the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Sanjo Adedoyin and Mr Gabriel Babajide.
The motion, which sought synergy among the Ministries of Health, Environment and Natural as well as the State Executive Council for the total ban of styrofoam in the State was aimed at preventing its harmful effects on humans and the environment
According to Mr Babajide, who presented the motion, research has revealed that, it takes hundreds of years before styrofoam degrade in the soil and as such becomes dangerous for the environment
“Further aware that the use of styrofoam is common in Africa, and Nigeria, due to its population and availability of market, takes the lead in the usage of this harmful container in, the continent. Mr. Speaker, the presence of styrofoam in our marketplaces, restaurants, streets, and even in dränage systems is visible to the blind.
“Observe that just three (3) weeks ago the Lagos State Government banned the total use of single-use plastic known as styrofoam. The Government of Abia State has also ordered the same ban on styrofoam. These are proactive measures to phase out the total use of the deadly substance. It is, however, very important as a matter of utmost urgency, to stop the use of styrofoam in Oyo State, as it is hazardous to both the environment and human beings.
“Further observes that a number of states and cities in America have banned single-use plastic items, like styrofoam, in an effort to cut down on waste and encourage the use of biodegradable or reusable items. As its ban took effect on May 4, 2022, styrofoam is banned in Colorado, Maine, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, D.C. and New Jersey was the most recent to be implemented, Colorado, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington have styrofoam bans that are not yet in effect.
Reacting, lawmaker representing Ibadan Northeast 1, Mr Abiodun Babalola who further highlighted the implications of the use of Styrofoams to both human and aquatic said there was a need for the government to take urgent steps on the matter.
In a resolution, the Speaker of the House, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin asked the Ministry of Information and Orientation as well as other information dissemination organs of Government to organize enlightenment programs to sensitize the public on the danger of using styrofoam.
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