The Department of Environment is looking into possible non-compliance of environmental ordinances by the contractors of the Fijian Holdings Tower, at the corner of Gordon St and Thurston St, Suva.

Vehicle owners and property owners had raised concerns about the amount of cement residue and dust that have fallen on their properties, vehicles and vegetation as construction works continue at the site.

The contractor of the project is the China Railway Group.

Cement residue is clearly visible solidifying on the footpaths, drainage systems and the vegetation of those living around the area. This has prompted the Department of Environment to intervene.

Yesterday, Director of Environment Sandeep Singh and a team of inspectors from the ministry visited the construction site to do an inspection.

“We have received some complaints so my team and I had done some inspection
work today to check on their non-compliance and then we will see the next course of action from there onwards,” Ms Singh said.

“We will also be contacting the Suva City Council who would be also looking into their compliance issues.

“The inspectors have done their inspection and they are compiling a report. I am waiting for their report for the next course of action.”

Yesterday afternoon inspectors from the Suva City Council also inspected the site.

Fijian Holdings Limited’s Group Chief Executive officer Jaoji Koroi said the building contractors, China Railway Group, was obligated under the construction contract to ensure that all Occupational Health and Safety and other regulatory matters were followed.

Mr Koroi said he had raised the issue with the contractors yesterday for their necessary action.

Questions sent to the contractors for a comment were not answered when this addition went to press.

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