Our waterways are important!
They are as much a transportation route in many places around the country, as they are an important source of food for many people.
Sadly, today, many of our waterways are brimming with rubbish.
They are filled with things we have no more use for.
Indiscriminate dumping of rubbish has led to environmental damage, as well as flooding during heavy rain and cyclones.
So when Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Vatimi Rayalu made the plea in Parliament, for us to stop dumping rubbish into our waterways, he was echoing the thoughts of Fijians who value our environment, and who love nature.
Mr Rayalu spoke about the challenges of maintaining clear drainage around the country.
He spoke about the important connection between care, and our waterways.
He raised the issues of pollution, erosion, dumping of household garbage, plastic bottles, containers and bags, and the negative impact on our waterways.
Earlier this year, blocked drains and waterways caused widespread flooding across many municipalities in the country, he noted.
This is one reason why we should stop dumping household garbage into our waterways!
He raised the issue of irresponsible garbage disposal too.
We are reminded that municipalities do not have a budget for clearing and maintaining drains, and they work closely with the Ministry of Local Government on how this can be accommodated under the current budget.
Understandably, there are complex challenges when we talk about maintaining order in our waterways.
We acknowledge what has been raised about the lack of dedicated budgets at the municipal level for drain clearing.
In that sense the re-establishment of the Drainage Board will be seen as a positive factor.
We hope it will empower those tasked with keeping our waterways clear, and our drainage systems working well.
In the face of all this, there has to be come consideration on the importance of us all working together to keep our country clean.
That means disposing our rubbish carefully and being considerate.
It means placing value on our environment. It means taking that little extra effort to be thoughtful when disposing rubbish. It means using provided rubbish bins at parks and around our urban centres, and collecting our rubbish when there are none around, and disposing that thoughtfully.
Everything comes back to us being responsible!
Our rubbish will not just get up and walk into a rubbish bin.
We must have the common sense to do what is right.
We again acknowledge the comments by Mr Rayalu, and look to every Fijian to be responsible, and to be engaged!
