By Fatou Bojang
In a concerted effort to address plastic pollution, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has announced the confiscation of approximately 7,957.78 kilograms of single-use plastic bags during recent enforcement operations throughout The Gambia. This initiative underscores the urgent need for adherence to the decade-old ban on these harmful products.
The NEA, in collaboration with the Gambia Police Force (GPF), has intensified enforcement of the ban, which was initially implemented on July 1, 2015.
Recent operations have revealed significant challenges related to plastic pollution in the country, as evidenced by the confiscation of nearly 7,957.78 kilograms of banned plastic bags. During a press briefing held on Tuesday at the NEA’s headquarters on Jimpex Road, Executive Director Dawda Badjie pointed out the alarming increase in the presence of plastic bags in Gambian communities despite the established ban. “Plastic bags pose more risks than benefits to our environment,” Badjie stated, highlighting the serious environmental and health threats their continued use presents.
The enforcement actions targeted various regions, exposing notable non-compliance with the ban. According to the statistics shared during the press briefing, in the West Coast and Kanifing Municipalities, authorities apprehended one importer and 27 sellers, with 128 individuals involved in using prohibited plastic bags. This crackdown resulted in the confiscation of staggering 6,677.78 kilograms of plastic bags in these regions.
In the WCR, another importer was apprehended, and enforcement actions identified 28 users, culminating in the seizure of 986 kilograms of plastic. Other regions displayed varying levels of compliance; the CRR reported no importers but noted the documentation of 114 kilograms of plastic use.
In the URR, one importer and 27 users were caught, confiscating 90 kilograms in total. Additionally, the NBR and LRR reported low compliance levels, with the NBR documenting 35 kilograms and the LRR only 53 kilograms of plastic. Badjie expressed concern about the highly profitable nature of the illegal plastic trade, comparing it to a drug operation. “If we can eliminate the market, there will be no buyers or sellers,” he stated, underscoring the NEA’s commitment to targeting importers who deliberately violate the ban
