The Puntland administration has put in place strict measures to curb the use of plastic bags, in a move aimed at environmental protection and preventing threats to livestock.
A ban on plastic bags was renewed in August after first being declared three years ago.
The administration has now taken extra enforcement steps and is monitoring the port and main markets to stop imports of the products.
A special security team has also been tasked with surveying business areas for any infringements of the ban.
In Garowe, the capital of Nugal province, a special security team has been confiscating plastic bags and destroying them.
Local environmental activists applauded the move, saying polythene bags were a threat to the pastoralist community in the area, who contribute to the main economic activity of livestock exports.
“The use of plastic bags is both a threat to our environment and our livestock, as several herders have lost their livestock because of plastic bags,” said activist Botan Ahmed Botan.
“When an animal eats polythene bags, the polythene waste cannot be excreted and remains in the animal’s stomach, then the animal becomes weak and later dies. Similarly, plants die when polythene bags block them from getting air; so polythene bags are bad for the environment,” said Botan.
Some businessmen also applauded the ban, but were equally worried about the effects on their business.
Mohamud Ahmed, who owns a beauty shop in Garowe, argued that plastic bags were essential in his business.
“Customers need plastic bags to carry what they buy from my shop and when they don’t find them available, they just go,” he said.
Despite the street debates, however, the ban may revive the market for traditional Somali bags woven out of natural materials.
“This is a great chance not only to understand the importance of environmental conservation, but also for revival of traditional culture and to combat climate change,” said Botan.
It has been alleged that corrupt officials have been the weakest link in enforcement, by allowing smuggling of bags through the Bossaso port. But Kassim Mohamed Abdi, secretary of Garowe local authority, denied that the government’s own officers were to blame.
