By: Nyima Sillah
The National Environment Agency(NEA) has confiscated eight tons of plastic bags as the agency launched fresh counter-plastic bag operations.
The NEA has been criticized in some quarters for its perceived laxity in the enforcement of the regulations around plastic bag use.
However, in recent swoops on individuals and businesses perceived to have contravened the regulations, NEA has seized eight tons of plastic bags across the country.
Addressing a press conference on Friday at NEA Head Office in Kanifing, the agency’s Executive Director Dr. Dawda Badjie,said the negative impact of plastic bag use is understood by everyone.
According to him, the relevant authorities have decided to coordinate the countrywide operations to avoid the news from spreading to importers, retailers, and users. He added that these three categories of people have been captured in the data supplied to the NEA.
The NEA executive director disclosed that criminal proceedings have already begun against the culprits with almost half of them prosecuted, adding that prosecutions will continue.
According to him, four importers, 91 sellers and 241 users have been suspected of violating the plastic bag regulations with eight tons of bags confiscated from them.
“We are going to focus more on the importers because they are the ones bringing it,” Dr. Badjie stressed.
He pointed out that the impact of plastics on marine life, agriculture, and animals could not be quantified.
“In 2011, we had a series of engagements showing video footage of how plastic impacts fish and animals,” he added.
Dr. Badjie said that anyone found guilty of plastic bag crimes could pay up to a half-a-million Dalasi court fine or serve time in jail.
The Director of Technical Service at NEA,Malick Bah, also spoke on the significance of the whole-country operations, saying it’s “very important”.
“In the former dispensation we made very significant progress but importantly looking at the nature of our borders, this is where we are challenged as an agency and we do not have the resources to ensure that every border we impose our inspectors there,”he lamented.
“Getting rid of plastics is the responsibility of the agency and every Gambian knows very well the negative impacts that go with plastics(use),”Bah added.
He explained that plastic bags have been banned in The Gambia since 2015 and gave the public the assurance that NEA will show no sign of slowing down in ensuring that the country is rid of plastic bags.
