CHIEF executive officer of Eco Guardians of Fiji, Joanna Caine, is calling on the Government and the public to take urgent responsibility for waste management.
This comes after her team returned to Mosquito Island to find it littered once again with piles of rubbish and shards of broken beer bottles.
“The last time we conducted a clean-up campaign here was when we marked World Environment Day last year,” Ms Caine said.
“Since then, the rubbish has only gotten worse.”
The clean-up, supported by 60 crew members of the HMNZS Canterbury and other volunteers, exposed mountains of illegally dumped waste on the island, a popular picnic spot near Suva.
Ms Caine said Eco Guardians raised concerns with the Suva City Council about the continued dumping of trash and questioned why waste on the island was not being properly collected and removed to the mainland.
“Every time we come and check out the island, we see the same rubbish still here,” Ms Caine said.
“It’s just mounting up every month. Sometimes at the corner of the island, people just burn the rubbish instead of removing it properly.”
Among the trash were plastics, aluminium cans, and piles of broken glass from beer bottles, raising concerns about the safety of families and children who regularly visit the island.
Ms Caine urged the public to take responsibility for their waste and to be mindful of the risks they create for others.
“We can’t be dumping rubbish on the island.
“If you’re planning to come here for a picnic, please take your rubbish back with you.”
She said Eco Guardians of Fiji would continue to monitor the island following this latest campaign and hopes for more serious collaboration with Government and municipal authorities moving forward.
“In order for us to collaborate with the council and our Government, it’s our responsibility to the public also.”
Ms Caine also thanked the Royal New Zealand Navy for reaching out to support the clean-up exercise, calling their involvement an example of meaningful partnership in the fight for a cleaner and greener Fiji.
“This is about the safety of our children and the future of our children.”
