An environmental expert, Mr Olumide Idowu, has faulted the suspension of the green tax on Single-Use Plastic, saying it would slow down the progress so far recorded by Nigeria in that regard.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari had in a circular dated April 20, approved a 10 percent tax on Single Use Plastic (SUP) a few weeks before leaving office on May 29. And last week, President Bola Tinubu ordered the suspension of the newly introduced 10 percent tax on SUPs in a move targeted at reducing the cost of business in Nigeria.
Nigeria plans to achieve net zero emission by 2050.
He said that the suspension of the tax meant that there would not be an additional charge or tax on activities that harm the environment.
The suspension of the tax has generated a lot of reactions from environmentalists and climate change experts across the country.
While some believe the decision would promote the ease of doing business in the country, others believe the suspension would hinder progress at curbing the menace of plastic pollution.
Speaking Monday in Lagos, the Executive Director of International Climate Change Development Institute (ICCDI), said the suspension would be problematic as green tax is meant to discourage polluting activities and encourage environmentally friendly practices.
“Achieving net zero means that the country’s GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions are balanced out by removing an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
“It is an important goal in fighting climate change.
“However, without the green tax, there may be less incentive for industries and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint and adopt cleaner technologies,” Idowu said.
Idowu said that green tax helps to fund renewable energy projects, environmental conservation efforts, and other initiatives that promote sustainability.
He urged the government to consider the long-term effects and the impact on the environment when making decisions about policies like the green tax.
He urged the government to find alternative ways to encourage and support sustainable practices that could help Nigeria move closer to achieving its net zero goals.
