DAR ES SALAAM, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Vice President Philip Mpango on Monday urged the country's environmental watchdog and local government authorities to reinforce a ban imposed on June 2019 on the use of all single-use plastic carrier bags.
Mpango said the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) should team up with local government authorities to ensure that the ban is reinforced to the letter.
A statement by the Vice President's Office said Mpango made the appeal shortly after he had led citizens to clean the central market in the capital of Dodoma as part of activities to mark World Environment Day.
"Deterrent legal actions should be taken against those who ignored the ban," said Mpango.
He said relevant authorities, including the NEMC, should ensure that all imported or locally manufactured plastic bags meet the required standards.
Tanzania's ban on all single-use plastic carrier bags became effective on June 1, 2019. The ban involves the production, importation, sale and use of all single-use plastic carrier bags to help control pollution from non-biodegradable waste.
