Solid waste is a local problem.

This was the gist of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s message at the official handing over of garbage compactor trucks for Lautoka City, Nadi and Nasinu Town Councils at the Lautoka City Council chamber yesterday.

He handed over seven trucks costing $1,085,000 and funded through the Ministry of Local Government Challenge Fund.

“Two trucks each will be given to Lautoka City and Nadi Town and three to Nasinu Town,” he said.

Waste he said had to be managed well, or people become demoralised and frustrated and lose their sense of pride in their city.

A clean city with a public that treats rubbish responsibly he said was a proud city, a safe city, and a city where people wanted to live and invest.

“When rubbish piles up and collects in the street, it creates a pervasive sense of disorder and chaos, and that leads to crime, poverty and decline.”

Basically, he said there were four ways of dealing with waste: “We can dump it, burn it, recycle it, or minimise it. We have to employ all of these in Fiji, but we must emphasise the last two—recycling and minimising.”

He said Government’s commitment for safer and cleaner environment was part of its Green Growth framework, which would be implemented across Fiji.

According to Mr Bainimarama he knows the three councils will put these trucks to good use.

People he said felt the impact of solid waste every day in their homes and businesses— in the streets, roadsides, waterways and beaches.

The Prime Minister reminded all Fijians that keeping Fiji clean was everyone’s responsibility.

“So I am asking all Fijians not just to put their own litter in its proper place, but to pick it up whenever you see it—on the street, on the beach, even in the water. Pick it up in front of your homes and businesses and schools. Show by your example how much you care about keeping this beautiful country clean.”

He said rubbish left on the street or in the water did not really go away as it just piled up or went somewhere else. “So let’s all do our part and keep Fiji clean.”

Edited by Paula Tuvuki

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