What Next?
Let the Minister review his thoughts and provide an alternative to plastic bags. It is important to protect the environment no doubt, but it is equally crucial to propose an alternative for those involved in the plastic business.
Vincent Nkafu Leke, Barrister at Law, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Banning Not Good Idea
Personally, I don't think this is a good idea. But if government thinks it has a substitute for plastic bags, let it be available as soon as the ban commences. Without this, it will be a terrible situation in this country.
Atem Maureen, University of Buea
Paper Bags
This sounds like a brilliant idea but is it realistic and sustainable? Of course, we all live the reality of environmental degradation, but we are talking here of causing a market failure in plastic bags, leaving thousands jobless and desperate. If the ban is going to be that strict, are there already alternatives for consumers? It is wise to learn from other nations who have walked that road before. For example, Kigali, capital of Rwanda, is one of the cleanest in East Africa because of the ban on plastic bags. It worked there but small Kigali is not Yaounde or Douala. If you stop plastics from entering the country by air, there will be other ways of bringing them in. Also Rwanda introduced paper bags, do we in Cameroon know what paper is? The cost and benefits of implementing such law should be seriously evaluated. I fear that government will spend more resources (time inclusive) in trying to implement this law without ever realizing its goal. I fear for more ethical, economic, social and even environmental crisis arising from such strict laws. I propose that we begin by introducing an alternative to plastic bags, then limit the use of plastic bags by giving restrictions on producers and increasing the price of plastic bags in the market.
Mahah Vladimire, Germany
Give Us Degradable Bags
I think it is absolutely important to ban the use of plastic bags in Cameroon. If you ask me, I would say the ban is coming a bit late, but better late than never. Plastics keep the town very nasty and are very dangerous to the environment given that they are non-biodegradable. If you go around Buea you see them littered everywhere. I call on researchers to make bags that can easily decay and the Cameroon government should support this kind of research to protect the environment.
Thomas Njingo, Buea
Replace Plastics
To me, it is quite a laudable initiative. If you ask me, not only plastics but all non-degradable items which are a threat to the environment due to their toxic nature should be banned. But my worry is if there is a mechanism put in place to replace these plastics.
Roland Etchu, Buea
Recyclable Bags
Well, this move can only work if there is a direct replacement made available. Plastic bags are a mainstay here. We don't do well with recyclable bags like in developed countries. Simply put, unless there is a readymade nationwide supply of bags which can be recycled to replace the plastics, I doubt the ban will work.
Acheanyi Ndobegang, Douala
Engage Green Economy
Cameroon should also develop a green economy platform and this is what the idea to ban plastic bags is all about. But is Cameroon ready for this? Our growing economy depends so much on plastic bags from petty trading such as in mineral water, vegetables and fruits to bigger businesses. Alternative to plastic bags such as bio-degradable plastic bags should already have been in circulation today if government wants the April deadline to be respected. If this decision is not well planned, it might just be more trouble to many poor who depend on the use of plastic bags for their livelihood. So any solution in place should take into consideration aspects of convenience, price and quick accessibility to all levels of persons in the society.
Monde Kingsley Nfor, Yaounde
Introduce Bio-degradable Bags, Recycling
Banning plastics is not a bad idea considering the negative impact that plastic bags have on our environment. However, this action will only be complete and effective if the government can equally introduce the use of bio-degradable bags to replace the plastic bags and this will naturally warrant recycling companies. This will also create employment opportunities and guarantee the protection of our environment.
Jacqueline-Minnette Ebongue, Pan African Institute for Development, Douala
Sensitization
It is a good idea but it will take a long time to be effected. It needs a lot of sensitization right to the grassroots for people to know and understand the importance of the ban and the negative effects. Plastic bags are not bio-degradable and contribute to a great deal of garbage and pollution which is not good for the environment. However, the government must sensitize people well before the decision is implemented.
Ngyeh Stanley, University of Buea
Where Are Ngongo, Plantain Leaves?
The decision is quite good but I am not sure whether alternative local materials required for use will be available. When the Minister first announced the ban, he said that substitutes like the ‘ngongo leaf’ and ‘plantain leaf’ can be used to tie food in place of plastics. But the question is can the supply meet the demand, given that these leaves are not found everywhere in Cameroon? The demand for these local materials is likely to be higher than the supply hence causing shortage. The deadline of April will not be easy for the population given that the decision is too abrupt.
Takang William, Retired Senior Inspector of Police
Enforce Ban
The decision is a good one because if you go to most of our cities, you will find those bags flying all over and so I encourage government to go ahead with the decision because plastic bags are a true menace to a healthy environment.
Okie Emmanuel Osung, Retired P&T Staff
Implement Ban
Plastic bags should be eradicated at all cost from the environment. The ills of plastics are so many. Their non-biodegradable nature on the environment causes diseases such as cancer and if we must build a cancer-free environment, then plastics must be banned. It is a wise decision. Cameroonians may not see the benefits now but they will certainly in future.
Barister Ndetan Victor, Liberty Law Firm
Give More Time
The decision by government to ban plastic bags took me by surprise. It is not possible. As a businessman, the ban will affect my business very negatively. Plastics are used everywhere to package goods. A lot of people depend on it for their daily subsistence. If they are banned, it will render many Cameroonians jobless and cause them to get involved in criminal acts such as theft. The government should give more time for Cameroonians to adapt and it should also provide alternatives.
Angoh Victor, Hawker, Mutengene
