OPPOSITION MP Ro Teimumu Kepa has called for the removal of the 18 derelict vessels from waters off the Nadonumai and Navukavu coastline.
Speaking on the Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd (FPCL) 2016 annual report, she said the company needed to accelerate its actions with relevant stakeholders for the removal of the vessels.
She said the nearby villagers had voiced their concerns on the pollution of their iqoliqoli but to no avail as the authorities were deaf to their pleas.
Ro Teimumu said the seepage continued to pollute and poison their food sources.
“So they are hoping that talks in this report for the removal of these vessels have been successful and that there is a certain schedule by which time all the junks and eyesores have been attended to, and I am pleading, Sir, on behalf of the people of Nadonumai and Navukavu Levulevu to hold good to the promise made by the committee in this FPCL 2016 Report and this is now 2020,” she said.
Ro Teimumu said the derelict vessels should be removed as per the priority list in the report, to assist the villagers in their fight against NCDs.
“Sir, although the owners of this iqoliqoli believe that this is only a very conservative number that pollute their waters through chemicals and other pollutants that are sipping through the rocking structure to the surrounding areas.”
