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The Abia State House of Assembly on Wednesday, committed bill seeking the management of non-biodegradable packaging materials, sponsored by Hon. Kalu Mba-Nwoke representing Ohafia South to public hearing.
Southeastposts reports that HAB 31: is a Bill for a Law to Establish Abia State Polluter Pays and Extended Producer Responsibility for the Management of Non-biodegradable Packaging Materials and for other matters connected therewith.
Taking the lead debate on the merits of the bill after it under went its second reading, Hon. Kalu who is also the Chairman house Committee on Environment, Urban Renewal and Newmap, said HAB 31 seeks to introduce a robust legal framework for the management of non biodegradable packaging materials such as plastic bottle waters, cement bags, pure water nylons, nylon bags used by retails outlets in selling of their products to customers in the State.
He noted that the materials after usage are dumped indiscriminately on the streets, drainages, which also litter the environment and by extension, cause environmental pollution by blocking drainages.
According to the Lawmaker, these materials after finding their ways into waters, cause harm to the aquatic lives in the sea and ocean.
Hon. Nwoke also pointed out that HAB 31, aims to implement the polluter pays principle (PPP) by imposing a levy on producers and distributors of the non-biodegradable materials as well as establish an extended producer responsibility (EPR) Scheme which will mandate the producers and distributors of non biodegradable packaging materials in the State to take adequate responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products more especially post consumer waste collection / management.
He added that the bill if passed into law will reduce environmental pollution, encourage the use of sustainable and non-biodegradable alternative materials in packing of products and promote circular economy in the State.
Giving further insights, Hon. Nwoke said the bill will be a great source of generating revenue for the state if passed into law as the polluters and outlets that use these materials will be compulsorily made to pay certain amount to the State Government to aid in keeping the state clean.
Responding, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, committed the bill to the House Joint committees on Health, Commerce and Environment for public hearing and gave the committees two weeks to revert to the House.
Also during plenary; the Speaker of House, announced a correspondence addressed to his office by the State Governor, Dr Alex Otti.
The Governor through the correspondence is requesting the approval and consideration of One hundred and fifty billion Naira (150b) supplementary budget for the year 2025 by the State Assembly.
Also, the House received a matter of urgent public importance presented by the majority leader of the House, Hon. Okoro Uchenna Kalu (Arochukwu) on the invasion of his community in Atan Abam in Arochukwu on Sunday 13th, 2025 by the people of Ikot Essien Community in Akwa Ibom State over the ownership of their land located at Akpa Ukwu in Arochukwu.
Hon. Okoro revealed that his constituents were inflicted with severe injuries and that some are still missing after the incident on Sunday.
The Lawmaker prayed the state government to as a matter of urgency provide his community with adequate security in order to safeguard the lives and property of his people and forestall further attacks on them by Akwa Ibom people.
He also prayed the House to mandate its committee on security and boundary matters to liaise with the office of the Deputy Governor of Abia State to investigate and determine the rightful owners of the disputed Akpan Ukwu land and restore peace in his community.
Meanwhile, the House unanimously granted his prayers.
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