The Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, has faulted the proposed nationwide ban on single-use plastics, warning the ban portends doom for many small businesses.
Expressing the concerns of manufacturers on the potential economic implications of the proposed ban, the Director General said in a statement that the ban would necessitate significant operational overhauls for the concerned companies and that the transition to alternative materials has substantial financial implications.
“The proposed nationwide ban on single-use plastics will undoubtedly impact the operational landscape for businesses across diverse sectors.
“Concerned manufacturers, distributors/retailers and consumers will have their production processes, supply chains, and consumer behaviors significantly altered,” he said.
According to him, this regulatory shift will precipitate significant investments in research and development to identify, develop, and implement viable alternatives to single-use plastics.”
On the impact of the ban on manufacturing companies, Ajayi-Kadir said: “The impending ban on single-use plastics will necessitate significant operational overhauls for companies within this sector. Manufacturers will be compelled to reconfigure their production processes to align with the new regulatory landscape.
“This transition will involve substantial investments in research and development to identify and adopt suitable alternative materials. Acquiring new machinery and equipment, as well as modifying existing infrastructure, will be essential to accommodate the production of these alternative products.
“Sectors such as packaging, consumer goods, food and beverage, and healthcare are expected to experience significant disruptions. Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) within the manufacturing sector are particularly vulnerable due to their limited resources and capacity to adapt to rapid regulatory changes.”
GIK/APA
