Reps pass bill to ban plastic bags, prescribe 3-year jail term for sale

The house of representatives on Tuesday passed a bill banning
plastic bags in the country.

The lawmakers said the bill is to among other things address
waste management and protect the environment.

The Plastic bag prohibition bill provides for: “An act to
prohibit the use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags
used for commercial and household packaging in order to address
harmful impacts to oceans, rivers, lakes, forests, environment as
well as human beings and also to relieve pressure on landfills and
waste management and for other related matters.”

The bill states that a retailer shall offer a paper bag to the
customer at the point of sale.

It describes as an offence: failure to provide customers with
paper bags, manufacturing plastic bags for the purpose of selling,
and importing plastic bags “whether as a carryout bag or for
sale”.

According to the bill, any person found guilty of the offences
shall be liable upon 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.

More to follow…

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