The National Environment Management Council has destroyed over two
million none-confirming alternative bags made by Jin Yuan Investment
Industry and also eight sacks of packaging materials imported here
illegally.

Speaking shortly after the exercise in question, the Director General
of NEMC, Dr. Samuel Gwamaka said the action taken would stand as a
warning to other culprits who fail or ignore to adhere to set
standards of 70gsm which is detrimental to local market conditions.

“Our target is to protect local industries and ensure they get
priority in the market share, but this has been contrary as some of
the local factories have opted to violate standards set by Tanzania
Bureau of Standards (TBS) of 70gsm,” Gwamaka said.

He added that such a violation hampers the control of imported
alternative bags thus NEMC has embarked on a countrywide crackdown on
the violators, adding that stain measures would be taken.

“If all the producers adhere to set standards and put label in their
products, the work of identifying the poor quality bags would be
simplified and the authority would easily be able to pin down all the
culprits,” he said.

Dr Gwamaka pointed out that since the fifth phase government led by
President John Magufuli has emphasized on building industrial and
middle income country by 2025, NEMC is playing a role by creating an
enabling environment by educating investors and guiding them on
environmental best practices.

“I would like to call upon business people to stop importing poor
quality or inferior bags because by so doing they are sabotaging the
country’s economy,” he said.

Dr Gwamaka called on citizens to shun purchase and use of bags that
has no label, adding that by so doing they would be contributing
towards economic sabotage, asking them further to report those who
uses such bags.

In another development, NEMC has called on all the penalised producers
of bags to make sure that they pay fines within deadline and destroy
goods or do recycling to meet standards.

On his part, NEMC Board Member, Mr. Damas Masologo said the Council’s
main objective is to protect environment and not closing down
factories, adding that advocacy would continue for investors to be
conversant with the country’s laws and regulations on environment.