Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua has publicly opposed the proposed waste-to-energy project in Saweni, warning it may conflict with Fiji’s international environmental obligations.
In a social media post, Ms Qereqeretabua said she was prepared to take a stand despite potential personal and political consequences.
“At the cost of my job, and with no support from my party, I oppose the Waste to Energy proposed Saweni project,” she said.
She referenced Fiji’s commitments under the Waigani Convention, stressing that the country must not become a dumping ground for hazardous waste.
“The Waigani Convention is clear: Fiji agreed not to become a dumping ground for hazardous waste and to manage its own waste within its borders. We are bound to uphold that principle in both law and intent,” she said.
Ms Qereqeretabua noted that Fiji signed the convention in 1995 and ratified it in April 1996, well before it came into force in 2001.
“These dates matter because they reflect a long-standing commitment by Fiji to uphold strong environmental safeguards and regional responsibility,” she said.
She warned that any large-scale waste processing development must be carefully assessed against these obligations.
“Any current development that involves large-scale waste processing must be measured against these obligations, not treated as optional or outdated,” she added.
Ms Qereqeretabua also raised questions about the project’s planning, including whether builders had already been identified.
The proposed Saweni waste-to-energy facility has been the subject of ongoing public debate, with environmental groups and community members expressing concerns over its potential impacts.
