Fiji’s litter crisis and worsening dengue outbreak are signs of a government machinery that is “not working”, claims Member of the Opposition Parveen Bala.
He pointed to the disturbing link between poor hygiene and rising dengue-related deaths, criticising authorities for the lack of urgency and coordination.
“Fiji has recorded eight deaths related to dengue fever, and we continuously see every day the killers disposing of rubbish and the litter issue we currently have in the country,” he said.
The Opposition MP said he had repeatedly raised the alarm in recent months, particularly after a dengue outbreak in Ba earlier this year.
He described a worrying lack of basic services in many parts of the country.
“The problem that we see is that we don’t have regular collection of garbage.
“Cleanliness is an issue now. You’ll go around, you’ll see piles of rubbish in there for weeks and weeks. Grass is overgrown.
“There is no regular cutting of grass, cleaning of drains.
“So, all this is an issue that the authorities need to look into.”
Mr Bala laid the blame on the administration’s failure to act.
“I think the government machinery itself is not working the way I see it.
“That is why we have this problem.”
He urged the Ministry of Health to take the lead.
“I would like to urge the Ministry of Health to coordinate with municipal councils, rural authorities, involve everybody, and find ways and means of how we can have a solution for this issue. It’s getting worse day by day. It’s getting worse.”
Meanwhile, Government ministries are joining forces after Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka called for the country to unite in the fight against dengue fever and Fiji’s worsening litter problem.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Mosese Bulitavu confirmed initial talks had begun with Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa and Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya to map out a response.
The push follows confirmation of eight denguerelated deaths.
Mr Rabuka said the crisis required a whole-of country approach.
“Those are the things that we may have to get the community to cooperate in, a nationwide program involving municipal authorities, provincial councils, and village councils and village committees, etc,” the Prime Minister said.
“The immediate future, I’m hoping that the Minister forHealth and the Minister for Local Government will come up with, dengue awareness, and where we, as a whole country, tackle the dengue problem,” he said.