Minister warns councils over overloaded garbage trucks

Town councils and garbage truck drivers must carry out basic load checks before taking to the roads, says Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa.

The comments followed an overloaded garbage truck that overturned near the Samabula traffic lights, close to Fiji National University, early yesterday morning.

“The responsibility is on the council. They have to ensure that they comply with the necessary requirements when it comes to loading,” Mr Nalumisa said.

“These are basic checks that need to be done by all the drivers and administrators because the garbage truck has a certain load that it can carry.”

Police said the truck tipped into the opposite lane while attempting to make a turn, spilling rubbish across the road. No injuries were reported.

Town council workers cleared the rubbish.

Mr Nalumisa said responsibility for preventing such incidents rested with both drivers and council administrators overseeing waste collection operations.

“It is the responsibility of the rubbish collectors as well as the drivers to ensure that they comply,” he said.

Town councils in Fiji either contract or operate garbage collection services across urban areas.

Overloaded trucks pose a risk to other road users, particularly when navigating busy intersections and corners.

Police are investigating the incident.