$40 Spot Fine for Littering

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Mosese Bulitavu warned spectators attending this week’s Coca-Cola Games that they face on-the-spot fines of $40 if caught littering at the HFC stadium.

Speaking yesterday about the secondary schools athletics meet that begins tomorrow, Mr Bulitavu said newly-trained litter prevention officers would be monitoring the crowds throughout the three-day event.

“There will be a fine of $40, a spot fine,” Mr Bulitavu said.

“Litter prevention officers are already there and they’ll be with their receipt book.”

He said the officers would be identifiable by their green tee-shirts bearing anti-litter messages.

These officers are legally empowered under the Litter Act 2008.

Mr Bulitavu stressed that the primary goal was encouraging responsible behaviour rather than punishing attendees.

“We don’t want to be fining people. It’s just a good responsibility that should come after you’ve used whatever rubbish that’s left.”

Mr Bulitavu urged parents and students to be environmentally conscious during the Fiji Finals, which runs from April 24 to 26 (tomorrow to Saturday).

“Keep our litters in the proper places, where bins will be in the ground,” he said.

Mr Bulitavu stressed that maintaining cleanliness at the national stadium was a civic duty, urging attendees to dispose of different types of waste appropriately.

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