Health Threat: Delta Assembly Pushes for Styrofoam Ban

By Pleasant Johnson

The Delta State House of Assembly has adopted a motion for the ban of styrofoam (also known as polystyrene) for food or beverage packaging within the state.

House Minority leader, Hon. Emakpor Edafe who moved the motion at Wednesday’s plenary, underscored the responsibilities of lawmakers to intervene when the well-being of citizens and the environment is at risk.

He explained that styrofoam is derived from petroleum and contains styrene, which is harmful for humans. “This poses a risk to public health and contributes significantly to drainage blockages in the state”, the lawmaker emphasized.

The motion urged the state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to; “direct the ministries of health, environment, agriculture and natural resources and other relevant Government agencies to immediately prohibit the usage of styrofoam as cups, plates or any form of packaging for food or beverages in homes, hotels, restaurants, fast food outlets, social gatherings or any other public place in the state in order to prevent an impending health and environmental disaster that comes with its usage.”

“Engage manufacturers and distributors of styrofoam in the state with the view to getting their buy-in to produce and alternative disposable paper cups and plates or food packaging that is healthy and environmentally friendly; and constitute a task force to monitor and enforce compliance”.

Furthermore, “direct the ministry of information and the state bureau for orientation to sensitize and educate Deltans on the serious inherent danger associated with the use of styrofoam as cups, plates or any form of packaging of food or beverages”.

The minority leader emphasized the significance of the motion, underscoring its importance for the well-being of Deltans and the preservation of the environment.

He said that failure to halt the use of styrofoam within six years could result in one million deaths from health complications stemming from its packaging use. “Delta state must be saved, and be saved now”, he stressed.

Several lawmakers expressed support for the proposed motion. The Majority Leader Hon. Emeka Nwaobi noted that their endorsement was not influenced by other states but rather by the benefits it would bring to their constituents, aligning with their primary duties.

The house unanimously adopted the motion.