Environmental breaches such as oil spills and chemical leaks will soon face faster enforcement, with a new $100,000 laboratory to be set up by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Announced in the 2025-2026 National Budget, the lab will enable the ministry to conduct in-house testing for water, air, and chemical pollutants, reducing delays that rely on third-party laboratories.
“Let me be clear: when there is an oil spill like the recent incident in Suva Harbour from the sunken Goundar Shipping vessel, or wastewater discharge like that from Lion One in Sabeto, we must respond immediately,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Mosese Bulitavu in Parliament on Monday.
“The current model, which relies on accredited third-party laboratories, can take up to two weeks. This lab will significantly enhance our enforcement capabilities.”
The new facility is part of a broader $216,000 allocation to the ministry’s Waste Management and Pollution Control Unit, a move Mr Bulitavu said “was long overdue”.
“With our own testing facilities, we can collect samples, test them, and initiate enforcement action without delay,” he said.
“The public expects us to act swiftly and now, we will be equipped to do just that.”
