Plastic bag Ban: a policy somersault waiting to happen

This regime is about engaging on another round of policy somersault. The planned ban of light weight plastic bags by the the Federal Ministry of Environment is a good idea not well thought out.

It is quite true that plastic bags do no good to the environment. It is in public knowledge that such materials are made of high density polyethene which are non biodegradable. They are known to cause  clogging of sewers and drainage, implicated in the deaths of sea animals such as whales and are even known to kill livestock especially when they are ingested.

It is also a fact that it is the the cheapest and most hygienic way goods are packaged in our seemingly dirty markets and stores. When we talk about providing clean,affordable and potable water; the good use of these light weight plastic bag is one which cannot be disputed. This is my worry as an outright ban would not be received by the populace with an applause. Potable water that is known to be grossly unavailable would suddenly be more expensive than fuel price. I wonder how the very poor would be able to afford water at such a price. The resultant effect is the fall back to unhealthy practices such as getting water from unhygienic sources. Disease burden would increase inevitably affecting the productivity of the country.

I believe the Presidency is aware that it should be seen to promote policy that would benefit the small and medium scale enterprise. Pure water business is one business of the middle class providing lively hood to many. A change in policy would also quire a response in change in machinery and thus a change in price.

I begin to wonder what such a policy aims to achieve. I would have thought that before such a decision is reached, concrete palliative measures should have been put in place to cushion the effect of such a policy.

I want to enjoin and plead with those championing this policy to revisit this idea and come out with a concrete rationale and blueprint for its implement.