The Morobe Governor is calling for a ban on the use of plastic bags in shops in Papua New Guinea.
Plastic bags. Photo: AFP
Kelly Naru says plastic is one of the major environmental concerns in PNG and is an eyesore when disposed on the streets and waterways.
Mr Naru told the Post Courier plastic products should be replaced by biodegradable alternates or be banned altogether.
He says in keeping with culture, supermarkets and shops should allow men and women to use bilums to carry their goods.
A bilum is a string bag made by hand in Papua New Guinea.
Mr Naru says he will not hesitate to come down hard on shops who continue to impose restrictions on mothers carrying bilums while carrying out their shopping.
Governor Naru says people should report shops that do unnecessary searches on clients especially those that demand women open their bilums.