CSOs Condemn FG’s Suspension Of Green Taxation On Single Use Plastics

Member organisations 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 of Nigeria, cautioning that it will make the country a dumping ground for plastic waste products.

According to a statement made available to INFO DAILY by Elvira Jordan, Communication Officer, ERA/FoEN, their reaction is sequel to the recent announcement by the Federal Government suspending the Green Taxation which imposes an Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastics, including containers and bottles.

GAIA member organisations include: Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN); Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV);Centre for Earth Works (CFEW), among others.

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INFO DAILY reports that the suspension is supposedly in line with the current administration’s commitment to create a business-friendly environment.

INFO DAILY also reports that the tax was introduced as part of the government’s efforts to address the growing concern over the impact of plastic waste on the ecosystem.

Reacting to the development in the statement, the Executive Director, of ERA/ FoEN, Chima Williams said that the new development will only bring to fruition the ominous prediction that plastic products in the ocean will surpass the number of fish in the water by 2040.

He tasked the Nigerian government to enact policies that will put an end to the invasion of plastic on the oceans and water bodies, and not promoting policies and laws that increases the production of more plastic.

“At a time like this when the world is set on improving the consciousness of the public on the need to end the use of plastic, it is unfortunate that our president is increasing the importance of plastic products, when Nigeria is being ravaged by a plastic tsunami.”

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“Nigeria is supposed to be signing a law that promotes the phase out of plastic. This suspension may seem that the government is not committed to the implementation of the Paris Agreement on the reduction of the impact of climate change from the waste sector.”

He called on the government to deliberately programme itself into a zero waste society where no waste is generated, or all waste generated are seen as resources.

On his part, the Executive Director of Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV), Dr Leslie Adogame, opined that an outright ban is the solution to the production of plastic waste in Nigeria.

According to him, an outright ban and tax approach with a robust extended producer responsibility programme will help to arrest plastic pollution in Nigeria.

Also lending his voice, the Executive Director of Centre for Earth Works (CFEW), Benson Dotun Fasanya, added that the suspension of green tax on plastics is an open door to a plastic tsunami in Nigeria.