PLASTIC WASTE MENACE: ECOWAS PARLIAMENT CONSIDERING HARMONIZED LEGISLATION

PLASTIC WASTE MENACE: ECOWAS PARLIAMENT CONSIDERING HARMONIZED LEGISLATION

The ECOWAS parliament says it will require a harmonized legislation within the community to deal with the plastic waste menace, which is detrimental to the blue economy.

At the ongoing delocalized meeting of the joint committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources/Energy and Mining/ Infrastructure of the ECOWAS parliament in Winneba in the Central Region, notable representatives underscored the need to wage war against the plastic waste menace confronting the sub region.

Currently, it is estimated that about eight to twelve million metric tonnes of plastic waste enter the ocean worldwide.

 In the context of the ECOWAS sub region, about 80percent of plastics produced end up in the ocean, contributing significantly to the dwindling of fish stock between the coast of Senegal and Nigeria, and adversely affecting the blue economy.

In a speech read on his behalf by counsel to the speaker of Ghana’s parliament, Mr Magnus Kofi Amoatey, Speaker Alban Bagbin described as a striking need for West Africa to take pragmatic steps against the plastic waste menace.

With the plastic waste menace also affecting plant and animal health and leading to a reduction in food production especially cereals in West Africa members of the ECOWAS parliament suggested a harmonized legislation within the community to ban use of single-used plastics within the next three years while promoting the production of biodegradable plastics, establish an ECOWAS coastal community fund to support coastal communities and also launch a strong enforcement against foreign trawlers as they are contributing to the depletion of fish stock in the ECOWAS waters.

Third deputy speaker of the ECOWAS parliament who is also Parliamentary Candidate for Effutu Hon Alexander Afenyo Markin said it will require the collective effort of all member states to deal with the plastic waste menace.

 Aside from enforcements, he also suggested for waste management studies to be incorporated in the school curriculum to orient children with proper waste practice.

Source:Bibianinews.com/Nana Ansah