Citizens Environment and Social Concern expresses gratitude with the one point nine billion kwacha allocation to water supply and sanitation in the 2019 national budget.

The Citizens Environment and Social Concern (CESCo) has called for a complete ban on the single use of plastic bags in the country.

The organization has also noted that the proposed increase in excise duty on plastic bags from 20 percent to 30 percent in the 2019 national budget is insignificant to make a huge impact in Zambia.

CESCo Executive Director Conwell Hakapya says he is also pleased with the 1.9 billion kwacha allocation to water supply and sanitation in the 2019 national budget.

“We feel this is the right direction that Government has taken because this will help avert most health challenges we have due to the lack of clean and safe water in this country, we believe if this allocation is prudently used, by the end of 2019 will see a huge change and improvement in our health sector,” said Mr. Hakapya.

“As for the 10% increment on excise duty on plastic bags from 20% to 30% we feel this will not have any impact on the intended plan to reduce the amount on plastic bags discarded in our environment, because plastic bags are cheap so the 10% increment is very small, in short it will not be felt hence it will continue to be business as usual, produce and distribute with impunity.”

He believes that the best course of action to take is to ban single use plastic bags in the country.