Alagie Fatty, a prominent Gambian businessman has been fined D300, 000 (Three Hundred Thousand Dalasis) for importing a container into the Gambia filled with about 1666 sacks of banned plastic bags, which he falsely declared to GRA officers as plastic shoes.
This landmark discovery was recently made at the Gambia Sea Port by a custom officer on duty assigned to verify the goods. The matter was subsequently forwarded to the unit manager of the GRA and to the National Environment Agency for further investigations. Relevant documents were taken and statements were also received from all parties including GRA officers.
For swift action, the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) and the shipping line CMA/CGM were duly informed of the offence in other to get the plastic bags handed over to GRA for necessary action. However, GRA contacted the NEA about this illegal importation of banned plastic bags and further notified that the businessman Alagie Fatty that he is going to be prosecuted.
In view of the fact that the duty was paid, a fine of D300, 000 was imposed on Alagie Fatty pursuant to section 275(1) of the Customs Act and the said plastic be forfeited (seized) pursuant to Section 252(a) of the Customs Act. The plastic bags should have been handed over to the NEA for destruction, but does not have capacity and now the consignment would have to be re-exported out of the Gambia.
With the absent of capacity to destroy that consignment of plastic bags by the NEA. Alagie Fatty, who lied to GRA about the content of his container, is forced to re-export the container out of the country, at his own expense under the supervision of both NEA and GRA.
During the investigation details of the container obtained include Bill of Lading No: THD0448726, Container No: 1x20ft CMAU1633707 with seal No: f8207044 is said to contain the banned substance.
It could be recalled that the Government of the Gambia has imposed a ban on certain types of plastic bags in 2015 as evident by the promulgation of the ban on plastic bags order, 2015. In the immediate aftermath of the introduction of the said law, there was a marked improvement in waste situation in the country with significant reduction in eye sore in public places.
National Environment Agency (NEA) has observed with great concern the sudden resurfacing of banned plastic bags in the country. The ban, has proven to be decisive in maintaining a clean environment as plastic waste constitutes a significant percentage of our waste stream. Consequently, death of livestock attributed to ingestion of plastic, pollution of farm lands, cause of flooding particularly within GBA due to blockages of drains and other associated negative effects of plastic waste. The ban was because of the deleterious effects of plastic bags on the environment and public health.
However, the recent spate of plastic resurfacing in the country especially in major towns/markets is not only a fragrant violation of the law but also a disturbing development that, if unchecked, the situation will significantly derail the already registered progress made since the introduction of the law.
The NEA would want to inform the general populace that the ban is still in place and any business entity, institution, company, groups, individuals found want in the importation, business, selling, dealing or found in position this banned substance would face the full strength of the law without mercy. “Our health and the environment first, others come secondary”.
Author: Sheikh Alkinky Sanyang