The Federal Ministry of Environment has developed a draft action plan for the phasing out of light weight non-biodegradable plastics in the country, a top official of the ministry, said, yesterday.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja, said that the draft action plan had already been adopted by stakeholders in the sector.
He recalled that the ministry, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO, had in December 2013, organised a workshop to sensitise Nigerians on the process.
“What we intend to do now is to follow the implementation of the action plan since the awareness has already started; the next step is to source funds from UNIDO to implement the plan.
“Once we have funds, we will continue with other activities in the process of phasing out heavy non-biodegradable plastics.”
The official said it was not possible to completely phase out non-biodegradable plastics because of its importance in the society.
He cited the example of a plastic chair, which is a non-biodegradable component, to buttress his point.
He said that the ministry would start with the phasing out of light weight non-degradable plastics such as table water sachets and polythene bags.
“Those countries that have succeeded in phasing out the substance started with placing a ban on the light weight ones.
“Countries like China and South Africa have placed outright ban on light weight plastic bags while some other countries have placed tax levies on the manufacture, retailer and buyers of light weight bags.
“We are going to be gradual in the phasing out process as well, so that we will not cause havoc to the livelihood of people working in the industry.
“We will also use alternative sources that are economically feasible and environment-friendly to replace the non-degradable products,” the official said.
He further said that the ministry would start the process of phasing out with a pilot project whereby manufacturers would be required to introduce a substance called “addictive” that would reduce the non-biodegradable component in their products.
Dis is soo stupid. Dere are a lot of oda reasonabl ideas to introduce. Dis one will only make d common man to suffer.
These guys don’t even understand their own selves now. They make policies that always affect the common Nigerian, worsening his condition. Do they think Abuja and Lagos alone cover the entire Nigeria? Well, I don’t blame them. They don’t even have villages, otherwise they would always put the plight of the common man before their selfish interest.
I don’t blame village witches for always pursuing them… Na them dey cause am!
Must we condemn evry govt policy? If u ppl condemning this phasing out of plastic know the havoc polythene bag does to our lives and environment, whether as polythene bag, satchet water bag or whatever, u would aplaud fed govt instead. The govt says there’ll be alternative yet u r criticising. It is not evrytime we must display our ignorance in public
Why do we always put unnecessary burden & pains on d citizens of this country? Numerous problems on ground including lack of job opportunity is not yet tackled, yet we are looking for what is not lost. Sincerely, we are bargaining for more than what we can shew. By the way, must we implement programs being carrried out in other countries because we simply want to imitate. Pls let d sleeping dog lie
Good opportunity for APC, try it and see us vote you out of office come 2015 . My advice to you is before you do it provide potable water for all Nigeria because the only potable water Nigerians have now is sachet water as govt has fail to provide potable water for Nigerians or you get recycling machine to manage the wast.
This is always interesting dealling the poor see plate number issue.their nothing that benefit the poor in this govt
Pure water sachet is not our main problem in dis country