WE must include our villagers and empower them.
These were the words of Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Sakiusa Tubuna, during the Wainiyabia clean-up campaign organised by their youth group.
He said awareness of proper litter disposal and the impact on the environment must begin at the very roots of society.
“We need to empower our local communities to change their behavioural patterns,” Mr Tubuna said.
“One of the things that I have been emphasising is for people to start teaching their kids at the kindergarten level so when they grow up, they have that awareness to pick up rubbish and clean up after themselves wherever they are.
“We also need to start from our villages.
“We cannot have a country that is clean when we have our villages that are littered with plastic and litter.
“That is why we need to start from villages too, and our homes, that is why I am here to help with the empowerment of our communities to take the lead in these types of initiatives.”
About 80 youth members participated in the clean-up effort in the Wainiyabia settlement.
These were young people from the village of Wainiyabia with youth representatives from Bilo, Waidradra, and Kalekana settlements.
Partners World Vision International provided funding for the project, which was coordinated by the Eco Guardians of Fiji group.
Joanna Caine, CEO of Eco Guardians of Fiji, reminded the young people of their environmental responsibilities.
“This effort is not just about clearing the environment — it is about taking a stand to protect your vanua and your qoliqoli but having the responsibility to show that you are the Eco warriors for your environment,” Mrs Caine said.
Wainiyabia Village youth member Elenoa Tonitonivanua pleads with the general public to take responsibility of their rubbish after using the beach for picnic and stop- over.
