The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria and member organizations of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, GAIA, have expressed concern over the recent suspension of Green Taxation on Single-Use Plastics by the federal government, cautioning that it will make Nigeria a dumping ground for plastic waste products.
The reaction from the two organisations follows recent announcement by the Federal Government suspending Green Taxation which imposes an Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastics, including containers and bottles.
The Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Chima Williams said the new development will only bring to fruition the widely held views that plastic products in the ocean will surpass the number of fish in the water by 2040.
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Meanwhile, Executive Director of Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development, SRADeV, Leslie Adogame on his part said an outright ban is a solution to the production of plastic wastes in Nigeria.
The organizations called on the federal government to deliberately program itself into a zero waste society where no waste is generated, or all waste generated are seen as resources.
The tax was introduced as part of the government’s efforts to address the growing concern over the impact of plastic wastes on the ecosystem.
(EDITOR: TIENABESO BIBIYE)
