The NGO Support for Community Initiatives for Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development (AICED) wishes to reiterate the vital importance of rigorously enforcing the ban on plastic packaging, issued by the Governor of North Kivu. This measure, which aims to preserve the health of communities and protect fragile ecosystems, must be supported by solid accompanying measures to ensure its effectiveness.
Faustin Nyebone, Executive Director of the environmental NGO, stresses with concern that two months after the end of the moratorium granted to traders, the ban on plastic packaging is still not being respected. This situation is alarming, as non-biodegradable packaging continues to circulate, endangering public health and the environment.
It is essential that the Governor of North Kivu, General Peter Cirimwami Nguba, ensure strict enforcement of the order banning plastic packaging. Indeed, as Faustin Nyebone points out, these packages are harmful to human health and pollute ecosystems, thus compromising the stability of local ecosystems.
In an official statement published on June 19, 2024, Governor Nguba clearly indicated the dangers posed by non-biodegradable packaging. By granting a moratorium to economic operators to sell off their stocks, before banning any import of these products, the governor took a courageous decision to protect the population and the environment.
It is crucial that these measures be supplemented by concrete awareness-raising, training and support actions for traders to facilitate the transition to environmentally friendly packaging. The effective implementation of this ban cannot be achieved without a collective effort and effective coordination between authorities, civil society organizations and citizens.
It is time to act decisively to protect our planet and future generations. Banning plastic packaging is an essential step in the fight against pollution and climate change. By joining forces and respecting decisions made in favor of the environment, we can create a more sustainable and healthier future for all.