Oyo Lawmakers Urge Governor Makinde to Ban Styrofoam for Food Packaging

The Oyo State House of Assembly has called on the state government led by Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, to prohibit the use of Styrofoam for food-related purposes within the state.

The request came after a motion was put forward advocating for the ban of Styrofoam in food service, storage, and other related applications in Oyo State. The motion was co-sponsored by the Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Sanjo Adedoyin, and Mr. Gabriel Babajide.

The objective of the motion was to promote collaboration among the Ministries of Health, Environment, and Natural Resources, as well as the State Executive Council, to enforce a complete ban on Styrofoam in the state. This action aims to prevent the harmful impact of Styrofoam on both humans and the environment.

Mr. Babajide, who presented the motion, emphasized that research has shown that Styrofoam takes hundreds of years to degrade in the soil, posing a significant threat to the environment.

He noted that while the use of Styrofoam is widespread in Africa and Nigeria due to its large population and market availability, other states like Lagos and Abia have already implemented bans on single-use plastics, including Styrofoam. The urgency to discontinue the use of Styrofoam in Oyo State was stressed as a critical step to safeguard the environment and public health.

Furthermore, it was highlighted that several states and cities in America have already banned single-use plastic items like Styrofoam to reduce waste and promote the use of biodegradable or reusable alternatives. The Speaker of the House, Mr. Adebo Ogundoyin, called for public awareness programs to educate citizens about the risks associated with using Styrofoam.

© Oyo Affairs