THE Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association is calling on the Lautoka City Council to increase the frequency of free city-wide clean-up campaigns to combat a rise in the reckless dumping of rubbish.
Association president Narayan Reddy highlighted the growing concern regarding improper waste disposal across the city which has become an eyesore and a health hazard.
“People are dumping rubbish anywhere they want to,” he said.
“One truck was caught dumping rubbish at the Waiyavi waterfall.”
Mr Reddy said the problem extended to residential areas and waterways.
“There’s a lot of illegal dumping being done, and as you can see, most of our creeks, most of our rivers, people have been dumping.
“Just opposite the Waiyavi waterfall there are small drains and as soon as it rains, people cut the banana tree leaves, and they stuff them into those drains.”
Previously, the city benefited from three free clean-up exercises annually. However, Mr Reddy noted that the previous government reduced this to only one.
“We’re going to be asking the council if we could go back to the three free clean- up campaigns, then we can limit this careless rubbish dumping.
“We understand it’s a costly affair, but cleaning up is another costly exercise for the council. We’re just going to request if we can have one every six months just to get our foot through the door.”
