Councils told to step up as waste concerns grow

Municipal councils have been reminded to align their leadership and priorities with the Government’s direction as waste management continues to pose a serious challenge for the country.

Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa made the call while welcoming newly appointed municipal chief executive officers and senior council officials today.

He said the Government determines the roles and responsibilities of chief executive officers and expects them to meet the demands and expectations of the people they are mandated to serve.

“We are one team. All of us must move in the same direction,” Mr Nalumisa said.

Mr Nalumisa said soil and solid waste management remains a pressing issue, adding that the initiative introduced by the Ministry was aimed at assisting the country in addressing the growing problem.

“It may be small, but the impacts are huge. It affects your community, your municipality and our nation as a whole,” he said.

The Minister thanked municipal councils that had already implemented the waste management initiative and acknowledged their support for the Ministry and the Government.

He urged councils yet to proceed with the programme to organise themselves and come on board so that all municipalities could move forward together.

The Minister also congratulated the newly appointed CEOs and council leaders, saying he looked forward to working with them to move their respective municipalities to new heights.

He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening local governance and improving service delivery for the people of Fiji.