Tabuya pushes national waste plan for informal settlements

Minister for Environment Lynda Tabuya is proposing a national waste solution for informal settlements and rural communities ahead of the next financial budget.

This follows the brave efforts of more than 50 National Fire Authority (NFA) officers and trainees who cleared blocked waterways and creek along the Fiji Muslim League informal settlement in Nabua, Suva, yesterday.

Ms Tabuya said improper rubbish disposal was widespread. She claimed more than 150,000 people in informal settlements and villages lacked proper rubbish disposal.

Twenty Suva Fire Station officers and 32 trainees braved the dirty and blocked creek without protective clothing along the settlement mid-morning clearing truckloads of rubbish.

“It was all household rubbish which could have been taken care of individually in their houses,” station officer Kalisito Raduva said.

Flood prevention Station sub-officer Seruwaia Navoce said clearing the creek was part of NFA’s proactive approach to flood prevention.

“Instead of us coming to do flood water rescue in this area, we inform the general public that it is not only the responsibility of firefighters.

It would be proper for the nation to contribute to cleaning our environment,” she said. Ms Tabuya said those living in informal and rural settlements would have to pay for rubbish collection.