TNG Fiji defends Waste- to-Energy Project

The Next Generation (Fiji) Pte Limited (TNG Fiji) has responded to concerns raised by Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Lenora Qereqeretabua, saying its proposed Vuda energy-from-waste project does not breach Fiji’s obligations under the Waigani Convention.

The company said the project would process only non-hazardous municipal solid waste, everyday rubbish generated by households and businesses, and would not accept hazardous, medical or radioactive waste.

“The convention does not regulate, restrict or prohibit the movement of non-hazardous waste,” the company said.

Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr Sivendra Michael said: “If the proponent argues that the waste is non-hazardous, then Waigani does not support them either. The Convention does not authorize the import of any waste. It only bans hazardous waste. This means the project cannot rely on Waigani as a legal basis to bring waste into Fiji. Instead, it must fall back on Fiji’s domestic legal framework, including the Environment Management Act and the Environmental Impact Assessment process, where the environmental, health, and social impacts must be rigorously assessed”.

TNG Fiji said its Environmental Impact Assessment, prepared by international consultants GHD and submitted in March 2026, detailed the waste classification system and complied with Fiji’s Environment Management Act.

The project is currently under review by the Technical Review Committee, with Government officials assuring there will be no political interference in the approval process.

The company maintained that the Vuda facility is designed within strict legal and environmental parameters and urged public debate to remain grounded in scientific evidence and Fiji’s regulatory processes.