Nubukalou Creek in the heart of Suva will be cleaned up next week Saturday.

This is an initiative of ocean-sports enthusiasts, faith communities and conservation organisations.

Suva and Lami special administrator chair Isikeli Tikoduadua said there were plans to revamp the creek and turn it into a mini Venice.

Mr Tikoduadua said the effort to clean up the creek was commendable.

This is an initiative of the Suva SUPers, a collective of stand-up paddling enthusiasts and the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia’s St. Luke’s Parish.

“We stand-up paddle in Laucala Bay and along with Outrigger Paddlers, have been regularly collecting, particularly plastic rubbish whenever we go out,” said Roderick Lal of the Suva SUPers.

“We recently did a big clean-up around the Suva Point/National Sailing Centre Area as an activity and were dismayed by the amount of plastic and styrofoam waste.”

The Anglican Diocese of Polynesia’s St. Luke’s Parish, which has also been doing clean-ups in the Suva Point area, has mobilised youth to join in this activity as part of the Diocese’s “Moana – Health of Our Oceans” initiative.

“The health of our oceans is adversely affected by plastic litter, choking our marine life and killing corals. Clean up campaigns and advocacy promotes a more responsible public behavior towards our ocean,” said Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Economy Makareta Konrote.

“This clean-up campaign supports the Fijian Government’s policy initiatives including Fiji’s National Ocean Policy and complements initiatives such as the ban on single-use plastic bags and polystyrene containers. Together, we can work towards a clean Fiji and conserve our pristine marine resources.”

The clean up will be held on Saturday February, 27, 2021 from 9am to 12pm.

The initiative is strongly supported by the Suva City Council, the Climate Change Division of the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Waterways and Environment, and the Oceania Regional Office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Edited by Ivamere Nataro

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