FIJIANS will face not only higher littering fines, but also stronger enforcement from September 1, as the Government moves to ensure offenders are caught and penalties are properly issued.
Minister for Information and Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya told Parliament this week that the increased $200 fixed penalty would be backed by a strengthened network of officers from municipal councils, the Fiji Police Force and the Land Transport Authority.
“The law without enforcement is just words on paper,” she said.
Ms Tabuya said the previous system was weakened not only by the $40 penalty, but also by the low likelihood of offenders being caught.
“The weakness of the old system was not only the $40 fine, it was also the limited likelihood of offenders being caught. That must change.”
She said enforcement officers would receive training in identifying offences, gathering evidence and issuing fixed penalty notices.
“We will track how many notices are issued, where offenses are occurring and whether behaviour is changing, because we do not want to simply assume the law is working, we need to prove that it is working.”
Ms Tabuya said Government would also work to make responsible waste disposal easier through improved collection, recycling and infrastructure.
“Government must also make it easier for Fijians to do the right thing. That means better collection, more recycling, better infrastructure, better public awareness and ultimately less waste being produced in the first place.
“We cannot clean our way out of this.”
She also acknowledged thousands of volunteers involved in community clean-ups, including schools, churches, youth groups, businesses, civil society organisations and Government ministries.
