Reddy Concerned Over Termites Spreading At Nasau In Nadi

Residents of Nasau in Nadi say the Asian Subter­ranean Termites (AST) have spread in their area.

This was highlighted by the Minister for Environ­ment, Waterways and Agriculture, Mahendra Reddy.

He was officiating at the Joint Enforcement Training on the Convention in International Trade of Wild Fauna and Flora and the Ozone Depleting Substance in Nadi last week. Mr Reddy said he was really concerned about the spread of AST which also affected residents in Nadi.

“I’m really bothered and concerned about the AST. It has been devastating on households and also on the forestry sector. People have been worried about building houses using timber,” he said.

“When I was at Nasau in Votualevu people there, said termites were in the area. So ther are gradually spread­ing, devastating our economy. It has a major impact on households.”

During training the minister reminded Fiji Revenue and Customs Service officers on the importance of their roles in safeguarding what comes into the country that could affect the environment, the people and the economy.

“You have an enormous task ahead of you in terms of ensuring that what comes from outside is carefully screened, that there is no pest coming in similarly to those who are importing live animals,” he said.

“As border control customs officers, you play an impor­tant role in the preservation of our planet and our na­tional security.”