Speaker Tajudeen throws weight behind private sector on the phased-out use of single-use plastic

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, affirms that Nigeria can achieve a national comprehensive ban on single-use plastic through careful planning, collective action, and not sudden pronouncements that could paralyse livelihoods and disrupt supply chains.

Hon. Tajudeen stated this in Abuja while delivering the keynote address during the public hearing held at the instance of the ad hoc committee on the preparedness for a single-use plastic ban in Nigeria, chaired by Hon. Terser Ugbor.

Represented by the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, the Speaker who acknowledged that the statistics on single-use plastic “are grim and undeniable.

“Our nation is grappling with a severe plastic waste menace that chokes our drainages, degrades our soil quality, threatens marine life in the Niger Delta and the Atlantic coastline, and ultimately infiltrates our food chain.

 “The visual evidence of overflowing dumpsites and plastic-laden waterways speaks volumes about a system under immense strain.”

He, however, argued that moving towards a national, comprehensive ban requires careful planning, collective action and not sudden pronouncements that could paralyse livelihoods and disrupt supply chains.

“The establishment of this Ad-hoc Committee underscores the National Assembly’s commitment to a just and structured transition.

“We recognise that the plastics industry is a significant employer of labour, from large manufacturers to the informal waste pickers and small-scale vendors who rely on these materials daily.

“The purpose of this public hearing is precisely to address the question of preparedness. We are here to listen: We want to hear from the manufacturers about their readiness to innovate and transition to sustainable, affordable alternatives.

“We want to hear from environmental experts and CSOs about the feasibility and impact of various ban scenarios. Crucially, we want to hear from the informal sector and small business owners about the potential economic shocks and how the government can provide adequate safety nets and retraining programs.

“A successful ban is not just about prohibiting a material; it is about establishing a robust ecosystem of reuse, refill, recycling, and sustainable alternatives that are accessible to all Nigerians.

“This ad hoc committee is tasked with gathering evidence, scrutinising proposals, and developing a practical roadmap that ensures compliance without compromising economic stability.

“The information gathered today will directly inform future legislation that is effective, enforceable, and equitable.

“We must strive for a future where economic progress and environmental stewardship go hand-in-hand. This is an opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional development models and embrace circularity and sustainability.”

In her address, Executive Director of Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), Mrs. Agharese Onaghise who advocated for a phased approach, short-term, mid-term, and long-term of 2040 for a total ban of single-use plastic.

She noted that 49 members of the FBRA have made infrastructural investments worth about N2.5 trillion in last one to five years and N3 trillion worth of investment in recycling as well as adopted between 5% to 50% recycled content for manufacturing use thereby promoting sustainability.

“That is the investment that has been put in place. But now, with this immediate ban, there will be a loss of livelihood with direct jobs of over 25,000 for the plastic production, indirect jobs in sales, collection and supply chain of 3 million, and disruption of the supply and value chain.

“But for the return on investment, some of these investments have a 7 to 8-year repayment period. And then we might have stranded assets, cost of inflation, and also huge government revenue losses that these investments are already giving. For enforcement and infrastructure, we have existing waste management policies and framework in place.

“However, we are also calling for harmonisation across the subnationals. So we also emphasize that we need to leverage and strengthen the EPR model for the packaging sector, which is already effective and sustainable.

“We are asking for a phased approach with clear milestones and recovery targets with a just transition. We also want to adopt the sustainable use of plastic roadmap that was done by the Federal Ministry of Environment and EMPAC. EPR is the way forward.

“We are calling for a nationwide advocacy campaign to facilitate behavioral change, and improved investment in the waste management sector, improved infrastructure which includes material recovery facilities, recycling and community level collection.

“We are asking for provision of incentives for industries so that we can transit effectively. And then effective reforms which will prioritise scalable collection, sorting, recycling and measurable performance targets supported by the PR role.

“The FBRA is ready to support all these we have spoken about. We have more details in our paper on our position we presented.

“We are asking for us to adopt a just transition. We also ask for extensive stakeholder engagement. And then there should be a balance between the environmental, health and the economic benefit of the goals we have. And at the end of the day, we can all work together to achieve a circular economy in Nigeria.”

While acknowledging that the FBRA members have not been able to adopt fully across our value chain, she affirmed that there are other alternatives, like glass, paper, aluminum. “But they have challenges with more energy costs, transportation, and also the use of more water and trees that will be cut off.

“Now looking at the plastic, most of our packaging is still in plastic, because we have been able to adopt a circular economy, and also create green jobs.

“Specifically for the materials we looked at, the small pets, we have been able to successfully close the loop through infrastructure and technology for recycling, and a robust EPR system in place.

“For water sachet, we don’t have any applicable alternative at the moment, because of the inadequate infrastructure we have in Nigeria. And then for shopping bags, we are also using the approach of a phased approach.”

While acknowledging that alternatives exist, she noted that they may not be able to scale or cater for industrial needs. Some may also not be available or affordable.

And most importantly, because I’m representing the food and revenue industry, some may not be applicable for food contract applications.