Civil Society Organizations working in Abia State have condemned the proposed legislation seeking to establish the Abia State Polluters Pay Principle and Extended Producer Responsibilities and for Other Matters, as anti-people, unconstitutional, and misguided.
12 CSOs registered their collective opposition to the bill in its current form, in a statement on Wednesday, considering it as an affront to constitutional safeguards, environmental justice, and participatory governance.
Among the CSOs were the Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), the African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CHARS-Africa), the Vivacious Development Initiative (VIDI), the Community Alliance Against Poverty (CAAP), the Initiative for Grassroots Interventions and Development in Education (IGIDE), the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), among others.
While commending the initiators of the Bill for recognizing globally acknowledged environmental protection mechanisms, the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP) and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, the CSOs, however, regretted that the bill is deeply flawed by dangerous ambiguities, institutional loopholes, and provisions that unfairly burden low-income communities.
According to them, these shortcomings risk enabling selective enforcement, deepening economic inequality, and legitimizing systemic abuse.
They cited vagueness and absence of legal definitions, violation of the right to participation and fair hearing, regressive transfer of liability, absence of institutional and infrastructure frameworks and high risk of abuse as flaws imminent in the bill.
They, however, applauded the recognition of frameworks that make for environmental accountability and responsibility, but said its implementation must be just and inclusive.
The CSOS recommended the immediate withdrawal of the current draft in its entirety pending extensive stakeholder consultation and expert legislative review.
“We also call for the convening of public hearings and inclusive forums involving communities, environmental experts, informal sector workers, industries, legal professionals, academics, and CSOs, as well as the clarification of legal terminologies ad scope of the bill.
“The government also needs to ensure the establishment of producer registration systems, waste collection and recycling facilities, and trained personnel before imposing obligations on stakeholders.
“There is also the need to protect low-income and informal workers, and also create an independent environmental appeals mechanism,” the statement demanded.
The groups expressed belief that a truly progressive environmental law must be rooted in justice, inclusivity, and equity, not framed as punishment in the name of reform.
They urged the Abia State House of Assembly to heed their collective voice and uphold its constitutional and moral responsibility to legislate in a manner that protects both people and the planet.
