House of Rep adopts report on bill to prohibit production, use of plastic bags

The House of Representatives has adopted a report on a Bill for an Act to, among other things, prohibit the use, manufacture and importation of plastic bags for commercial and household packaging. 

The report was adopted on Tuesday at the Committee of Whole presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Yussuf Lassun (APC-Osun). 

Vanguard reports that the bill seeks to address the harmful effects of plastic bags on the oceans, rivers, lakes, forests, wildlife as well as human beings when passed into law.

The bill which has been passed by the Senate was presented to the house by Rep. Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno).

The report recommended that retailers of goods shall offer paper bags to customers at the point of sale in place of plastic bags or be guilty of an offence when the bill is passed into law.

It stated that a person who manufactures plastic bags for the purpose of selling would be guilty of an offence.

The report also stated that a person who imports plastic bag for sale or carryout bag is equally guilty of an offence.  

“Anybody person found guilty shall be liable upon conviction to a fine of not exceeding N500,000 or a jail term not exceeding three years or both,” it recommended. 

The report says that any organisation found guilty shall be liable upon conviction to a fine, not more than N5 million.

Presenting the report, Monguno said that the bill seeks to relieve pressure on landfills and waste management.