The Abia State House of Assembly has introduced a bill aimed at curbing environmental pollution through a structured levy on producers of non-biodegradable packaging materials. Titled H.A.B 31 of 2025, the bill seeks to establish the Polluter Pays Principle and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) within the state, in a bold attempt to promote environmental sustainability.
If passed into law, the bill will impose mandatory levies on a wide range of everyday products and packaging materials, sparking intense debate among stakeholders. Key provisions of the bill include:
- ₦5 levy per snack wrapper, including items such as biscuits, chips, akara, and akpu
- ₦50 levy per 20-pack of sachet water
- ₦10 levy per bread wrapper
- ₦100 levy per 40-pack of noodles
- ₦30 levy per plastic shopping bag (locally made or imported)
- ₦25 levy per 1-litre juice/dairy carton
- ₦10 levy per wrapper of coffee or detergent
- ₦50 levy per single-serve cereal sachet
- ₦200 levy per cement sack
- ₦5 levy per glass bottle for beverages
- ₦2 levy per can of malt, beer, or soft drink
- ₦150 levy per kilogram of cardboard packaging
- ₦5 levy per paper sack for cement or flour
The bill also outlines steep penalties for non-compliance, including fines ranging from ₦2 million to ₦5 million, and jail terms of two to three years, or both.
A public hearing on the bill was held earlier today, drawing mixed reactions from industry stakeholders, environmental groups, and concerned citizens. While the bill’s sponsors argue it will drive environmental responsibility and reduce pollution, critics have raised alarm over the potential negative impacts on local businesses, especially small-scale producers and low-income earners.
Observers have urged the Abia State Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the Commissioner for Environment to reconsider the bill in its current form. Many argue that, while environmental protection is crucial, the proposed levies could hinder ease of doing business and disproportionately burden the poor, who depend on many of the affected products.
As deliberations continue, the fate of H.A.B 31 of 2025 remains uncertain, but it is already shaping up to be one of the most contentious legislative efforts in recent times.
