The current environmental situation poses an imminent threat to the country,» said Réseau Tunisie Verte» calling for an immediate intervention of the government.
In a letter to Prime Minister Najla Bouden, the environmental organization stressed the need to address all environmental corruption cases and apply the law equally to everyone implicated in corruption.
The network urged the State to reconsider its waste management strategy. It criticised the lack of governance and control, the non-development of legal frameworks governing the sector as well as the absence of approaches to waste collection and treatment.
It also called for devising a comprehensive and participatory national strategy by holding a national dialogue meant to achieve an environmental transition and help Tunisia overcome the current environmental crisis.
The current situation threatens the health of Tunisian citizens as well as the rights of future generations, the network affirmed, referring to the Italian waste case, which shows the failure of the current judicial system.
On the other hand, it called on the PM to oversee a ministerial committee composed of various stakeholders who worked on the Italian waste case. The goal is to ensure better coordination so as to speed up the re-export of waste, it pinpointed.
The Réseau Tunisie Verte also called for the immediate and permanent closure of the Borj Chakir and Agareb landfills. «The inhabitants of the two regions have the right to a decent life and healthy environment,» it pointed out.
The social situation of people working in landfills should be taken into consideration so as that they will not be exploited by people who benefit from the current environmental situation, it underlined.
Finally, the network urged the current government to provide urgent solutions to the pollution in the country’s coastal areas caused mainly by the National Sanitation Office. Because of that, the environmental situation is getting worse, especially with climate change, the network pointed out.
Source: TAP News Agency