Cyclone recovery must come before higher litter fines, committee told

Communities still recovering from tropical cyclones should not be burdened with higher littering fines until they have fully rebuilt their lives, Assistant Roko Tui Macuata Tevita Kalou says.

Speaking during the Standing Committee on Social Affairs consultation on the Public Health Amendment Bill at the Labasa Civic Centre today, Mr Kalou urged lawmakers to consider the circumstances of families still living in temporary shelters before increasing penalties.

“Before legalising the increased penalty fines, think first about the people who are rebuilding their lives from natural disasters,” he said.

“There are still so many people sharing one temporary shelter and trying their best to manage household waste.”

Mr Kalou said the rising cost of building materials had made recovery more difficult, leaving many affected families struggling financially.

“While it’s easier to look at development happening in towns at a faster rate, this may not be the same situation for those living in remote areas and maritime islands,” he said.

“Fines must be implemented with good intention and, apart from fines, there can be other alternatives for deterrence.”

During the consultation, Roko Tui Macuata Kalivati Rabuka proposed giving village headmen the authority to penalise people who breach litter laws.

“The village headman has records of the number of households and people living in the village and is usually the first point of contact,” Mr Rabuka said.

“If headmen can be given the power to monitor their designated boundaries for litter, including sewerage overflows, it will make monitoring much easier.”

Standing Committee on Social Affairs chairperson Iliesa Vanawalu assured participants that their submissions had been recorded and would be considered by the committee.