Proposed Vuda incinerator technical review committee to meet next week

Foreign investors eyeing Fiji's waste sector have been put on notice – they are welcome, but must follow the law.

Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya issued the reminder as a decision on the controversial proposed $1.4 billion waste-to-energy incinerator at Vuda-Saweni draws closer, with the technical review committee set to sit next week.

"We are open to investors who want to come in to do it, but it must be done according to the law. It must be done properly, and of course we must consult our people," Ms Tabuya told this masthead today.

Her comments come after expressions of interest from foreign companies were received by the ministry following widespread public attention on the Vuda-Saweni proposal, a project that would burn rubbish to generate electricity.

The Department of Environment received more than 3,000 written petitions against the project and 207 written submissions before Tuesday's deadline, though Ms Tabuya noted there was some support as well.

"We need to look at that holistically," she said.

The technical review committee which includes independent experts will now assess all submissions and consultations.

A formal decision by the Director of Environment is expected following that review.

Ms Tabuya acknowledged Fiji's waste situation had reached crisis point, particularly for communities in informal settlements and villages without proper disposal systems.

"It is actually a crisis now," she said, adding that all solutions, including waste-to-energy, must be evidence-based.

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