PLASTIC BAGS USAGE YET TO VANISH
Months after the National Environmental Management
Authority[NEMA]imposing a ban on usage of poly ethane plastics bags, the
product is still being put into use by traders in most parts of the country.
Mostly being small scale traders are using these bags to
package the products they are selling on the town streets. For instance, in
Mombasa sugarcanes dealers in the streets uses the small transparent bags to
package the sliced canes that enables them hawk to passing vehicles
conveniently.
Food sector seems to be one utilizing this illegal product
in a big way. Food dealers doing outside catering especially around Kongowea
wholesale market are fond of wrapping the plates holding food with the
stretched bags to prevent anticipated contamination.
Whether the users of the bags are aware of the dire
penalties they stand being applied to them or not, there is need for NEMA to
deal deliberately with the rooted manufucturers,since continued appearance of
the bags tells a lot. Since the ban took effect means there must be people
still manufacturing them as the the then stock can be still existing today.
A trader uses abolished plastic bags to pack pieces of sugarcane.photo/Denis Mutua
Also,NEMA need to heighten operation to nab those who have still
not compiled with the ban in bid to ensure the environment remains bags free as
it was intended when bringing aboard the idea of banning them.Notably,there has
been no recent crackdown aimed at the same.
However, the greatest pollution challenge facing Mombasa
currently is careless disposal of plastic bottles. The coast region
experiencing high temperatures with hot conditions, leaves residents dehydrated
and thus the remedy is buying bottled water. What follows is dumping the empty
bottles anyhow and which comes to pile up making the town an eyesore.
Therefore, the county government under the
respective department should put proper strategies to curve the menace of
uncontrolled dumping of the plastics which have been on the rise.Surprisngly,
even in the town center there has got designated place like public dustbins
where the public can dispose the waste. Otherwise if this wont be thought of,
Mombasa will continue performing in a good way in terms of poor sanitation
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