In view of the motion moved by the Minority Leader of the House, and Member Representing Aboh Mbaise State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Princewill Amuchie, the Imo State House of Assembly has called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to direct the Ministry of Health to ban the use of Styrofoams (take away foam packs) in the state.
They advised for alternative eco friendly material such as biodegradable packaging products; that is materials capable of breaking down naturally especially into harmless products, and reusable material to be adopted.
This they said is to avert the health challenges the use of Styrofoams poses.
As part of the prayer of the motion, the Assembly also urged for there to be public awareness campaign to enlighten Imo people on the risks associated with the use of Styrofoam, and for a taskforce team to be constituted to monitor and enforce the ban.
The motion which was presented by the Minority Leader, during the House plenary on Thursday, was seconded by Nkwerre lawmaker, Barr. Chisom Ojukwu, and co-sponsored by ten other legislators.
Presenting the motion, Amuchie pointed out that the extremely risky effect of the foam packs have been brought to the notice of the public which has made Lagos State, countries like European, United States of America, China, Taiwan, Rwanda, among others to ban its use.
He averred that the production and the disposal of the packs in our environment is not healthy for both human and animals as it deposits some chemicals in our water and on our food which causes some life threatening disease like cancer, neurological damage and reproductive issues.
The lawmaker continued that there is need for the Styrofoams to be banned as they are non biodegradable material which takes hundreds of years to break down, thereby having a longer period to continue to pollute the environment, and cause more health hazards.
He therefore urged for it to be given urgent attention by both the state government and private organizations, saying that anything that is detrimental to the healthy living of the people should not be joked with.
Most of the lawmakers supported the motion reiterating the that the Styrofoams should be banned.
As there was no one against the motion, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe put it to vote and the Ayes had it.
She also directed the Clerk of the House to pass the resolution of the House to the governor.
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