Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says there is an urgent need to strengthen the enforcement and implementation of the Litter Act 2008 through a thorough review.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Rabuka said Fiji’s islands and unique ecosystems must be protected but unfortunately, many of us “have bad habits”.
He recounted his earlier trips to China and Japan where he experienced clean roads and roadsides. Mr Rabuka also informed Members of Parliament that present enforcement was not discouraging enough.
“The fine is $40, whether you dump a car, dump a fridge or plastic bag and get prosecuted, it’s $40,” he said.
“The ministry has been diligently working on strengthening enforcement, which is really the issue.
“There have been 18 training workshops for public and non-public authorities in Fiji, a total of 598 litter prevention officers have been trained and appointed.
“In 2019, during the FijiFirst government, all 14 provinces sent provincial conservation officers and litter enforcement officers to be trained under the Act of 2008.”
Mr Rabuka said there was a training plan being developed for new litter prevention officers in this fiscal year.
Despite the progress, Mr Rabuka said, they recognised the Litter Act was now outdated as it lacked the definitions and differentiations needed in many cases to enable effective policing and enforcement.
“The Act is being reviewed and consultations now in progress to bring the Review Act to Cabinet, but the ministry acknowledges the existing gaps in the Litter Act 2008 and its amendment in 2010.”
