NEMA sets rules on buveera ban
Aug 01, 2009
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) will this month release policy guidelines on how the ban on polyethylene bags will be enforced.
By Catherine Bekunda
and Jude Kafuma
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) will this month release policy guidelines on how the ban on polyethylene bags will be enforced.
There will be an implementation mechanism to ensure a smooth enforcement of the ban, NEMA chief Dr. Aryamanya Mugisha told MPs on the natural resources committee on Thursday.
He explained that a multi-sectoral committee to handle all matters relating to the ban had been instituted.
The committee, chaired by NEMA, includes officials from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Investment Authority, the Police and the Ministry of Finance.
Finance minister, Syda Bumba, in her budget speech, announced a total ban on the use and production of polythene bags and a 120% tax hike on other plastic materials.
Previously, the government had banned the use of polyethylene material below 30 microns but enforcement of this directive was weak.
NEMA will embark on an awareness campaign to inform manufacturers and users of what is expected of them when the ban comes into effect on January 1, 2010.
“Our first step will be to advocate the fast passing of laws which qualify all banned material as waste,†Aryamanya told MPs, adding that NEMA and stakeholders would increase the inspection at border entry points, as well as production and distribution points in their bid to effect the ban.
He explained that at local level, a district enforcement committee headed by the district environment officer, would be formed to monitor stocks and production lines in districts.
and Jude Kafuma
THE National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) will this month release policy guidelines on how the ban on polyethylene bags will be enforced.
There will be an implementation mechanism to ensure a smooth enforcement of the ban, NEMA chief Dr. Aryamanya Mugisha told MPs on the natural resources committee on Thursday.
He explained that a multi-sectoral committee to handle all matters relating to the ban had been instituted.
The committee, chaired by NEMA, includes officials from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Investment Authority, the Police and the Ministry of Finance.
Finance minister, Syda Bumba, in her budget speech, announced a total ban on the use and production of polythene bags and a 120% tax hike on other plastic materials.
Previously, the government had banned the use of polyethylene material below 30 microns but enforcement of this directive was weak.
NEMA will embark on an awareness campaign to inform manufacturers and users of what is expected of them when the ban comes into effect on January 1, 2010.
“Our first step will be to advocate the fast passing of laws which qualify all banned material as waste,†Aryamanya told MPs, adding that NEMA and stakeholders would increase the inspection at border entry points, as well as production and distribution points in their bid to effect the ban.
He explained that at local level, a district enforcement committee headed by the district environment officer, would be formed to monitor stocks and production lines in districts.