The Lagos State government has dismissed claims that it has enforced a ban on sachet water, Tokunbo Wahab, the Minister of the Environment and Water Resources, announced in a statement on his official X account.
The development comes after a video showing law enforcement officers destroying packs of sachet water in Lagos went viral on social media. Reacting to the video, Wahab confirmed that the officers were staff of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
He stated that their activities are part of an enforcement initiative targetting sachet water that fails to meet NAFDAC regulations, prioritising public health and safety.
“My attention has been drawn to a viral video showing some individuals bursting sachet water packs at factories and on buses.
“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,” he stated.
