- As governor Ishaku of Taraba State banned the use of polythene bags and other relative products
The House of Representatives Committee on the Environment and Habitat has approved a bill prohibiting the use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging.
The lawmakers on Tuesday passed the bill, Plastic Bags (Prohibition) Bill, 2018, with the hope that it will address the issue of relieving pressure on landfills and protect the environment.
The bill enacted by the National Assembly, states that a retailer shall offer a paper bag to the customer at a point of sale; and failure to do so, such retailer is guilty of an offence.
It also added that a manufacturer of plastic bags, for the purpose of selling, whether as a carryout bag is guilty of an offence.
According to the bill, any person found guilty shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N500, 000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.
It also prescribes a fine of N5 million to companies guilty of the offences.
Similarly, Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku has banned the use of polythene bags and other relative products in the state.
He gave the order at the launch of the state Water, Sanitation and Hygiene policy implementation programme.
According to Mr Ishaku, emphasis will be shifted from the use of non-degradable polythene and plastic materials to the use of biodegradable materials such as paper bags.
“In order to set the pace for Clean Nigeria Project, I wish to declare the ban on the use of polythene bags and other relative products in Taraba state.
“During this period, emphasis will be shifted from the use of non-degradable polythene and plastic materials to the use of biodegradable materials such as paper bags.”
He also declared a ‘State of Emergency’ on the State’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and assured that the government will make potable water available to the people of the state.
“The past four years have recorded steady improvement in our case to make potable water available to our people across the state.
“It is with this realisation that the government since inception in 2015 has committed both time and resources to ensure consistent water supply to the people of Taraba state.
The governor also launched the state’s WASH policy implementation programme and assured that the ongoing Jalingo primary water project will provide about 28 million litres per day.
“This programme is to be supported by the development of a three-year action plan, improvement of water, sanitation and hygiene.
“It will be backed by increased funding and investment in the sector for the next four years. Focus on the completion of the ongoing Jalingo primary water project, expected to add about 28 million litres per day”.
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