DAR ES SALAAM, July 15 -- THE Tanzanian government has ordered the immediate closure of an illegal plastic bag manufacturing factory in Chanika, Dar es Salaam, after it was found producing banned plastic carrier bags in violation of the countrys environmental laws.

The directive was issued by the Deputy Minister in the Vice-Presidents Office (Union and Environment), Reuben Kwagilwa, following a night-time surprise inspection conducted alongside officials from the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) and the Police Force.

During the visit, the team discovered the unregistered factory operating despite the governments ban on the production, importation and distribution of plastic carrier bags introduced under the Environmental M...