Ministry Of Environment Plans Legal Action Against Ram Sami & Sons (Fiji) Limited For Allegedly Dumping Waste

Ram Sami & Sons (Fiji) Limited is under the spotlight for allegedly illegally dumping chicken waste at two sites close to its factory.

It could face up to a $1 million fine if found to breach the Environment Act (2005).

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Waterways and Environment Joshua Wycliffe confirmed the company had already been served with four notices.

After being referred to several departments, a Quality Control officer from Ram Sami & Sons confirmed receipt of the notices, adding that their department was looking into it.

Mr Wycliffe said the Department of Environment had started legal action process.

“This is a very poor practice and very hazardous on the health and well-being of everyone,” he said.

The notices were issued since April.

“We cannot just wait any longer,” he said.

“This is hazardous, there are residents on the roadside who will be affected by this because there are health issues as well.”

When investigated, Fiji Sun and Mr Wycliffe and his team still found evidence of the waste on-site.

“I will be consulting our internal staff and technical people and legal options to see what we could do and pursue as this is not acceptable,” he said.

He said that if chicken waste was not properly treated, it opened up for organisms to grow, posing a threat of diseases and infections on humans.

“We will make sure that the law is followed and that anyone found breaching the act will be punished.”

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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