A miraa trader in Mutuati market in Igembe North district. PHOTO / FILE
Garissa County government Wednesday said it will
table a bill that if passed will impose heavy fines on miraa traders
and chewers to reduce its consumption.
Speaking
when opening a three day workshop organized by County Government
through Hashash weavers, a local NGO that empowers women in the region,
county executive in charge of trade and commerce Hajir Mohamed Dahiye
said the county has prepared the bill to control and restrict the sale
of the commodity.
Mr Hajir said
miraa has been banned by countries such as UK, Holland and America
because of its effect to the health of the consumer, adding that many
youths are wasting their time on it instead of engaging in an
development activities.
“The
county will not ban miraa but will restrict its sells by imposing heavy
fines, those found chewing it openly will be fined” said Mr Hajir.
Halima
Mohamed, county executive member in charge of women and children
affairs urged women to refrain from selling miraa and instead form
groups and engage in other businesses.
Hashash
weavers has organized three day workshop for women mainly miraa traders
educating them to do various skills such as weaving and juice making so
that they take on their own business other than miraa.
Hajir
said training miraa sellers who are mainly women to engage in other
business to generate revenue for them and to the county are the other
alternatives the county is employing.
Mr Hajir said
they are ready for any resistance because if the people stop using the
commodity they will be productive and generate more revenue to the
county.
County assembly member
Sabena Shaffi Mohamed said they are waiting for the bill. “Ones it will
be table we will pass it because a law is needed to curb the usage of
miraa in this area” he added.
No comments:
Post a Comment