Lagos Govt. debunks ‘pure water’ ban, clarifies viral video

The Lagos State Government has refuted claims that it has banned the sale and distribution of sachet water, popularly known as pure water.

This came following reports circulating that the government of the state’s ban on pure water would take effect from 2025.

Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, dismissed the rumours as misinformation in a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday.

He addressed a viral video showing individuals destroying sachet water packs at factories and on buses, clarifying that the individuals were not enforcement officers from any Lagos State agency or ministry. Instead, they were officers from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“The individuals in question are enforcement officers of NAFDAC, targeting sachet water that doesn’t comply with NAFDAC regulations, in the interest of public health and safety,” Wahab explained partly.

The commissioner reaffirmed that Lagos State has no plans to ban sachet water and is instead focused on improving plastic waste management.

He highlighted the implementation of mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for producers of polyethene terephthalate (PET), sachets, and carrier bags of no less than 40 microns as part of the state’s environmental goals.

Wahab’s statement reassured the public of the government’s commitment to sustainability while addressing public health and environmental concerns. The clarification has been met with mixed reactions, with some applauding the government’s transparency and others expressing frustration over misinformation.