LAMI-BASED FOOD COMPANY ANY
Under inspection by ministry over waste disposal
Lami-based food processing company Foods Pacific Limited (FPL) is working with the Department of Environment to remedy waste going into waterways leading into the nearby Wailada River.
A prohibition notice was issued to FPL last week.
FPL senior general manager international, Sumukh Malankar, said work had been done to have a permanent solution.
Last week Ministry of Waterways and Environment Permanent Secretary, Joshua Wycliffe, said they were exploring other punitive measures available to them.
For food processing companies, all waste including wastewater
from production has to go through a grease trap and then into a treatment tank.
From there, the treated wastewater is then discharged through the sewer lines.
However the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) has certain standards for wastewater before it can be flushed through the sewer lines. Residents of nearby settlements and neighbouring property owners have raised concerns that the stench from the waste flushed into the river was causing a stench. Philip Rodan of Lami said it was an unhealthy practice because the waterways provided some people with food sources.
“I am urging a check on all industries in the Wailada area to see how they are disposing of their waste,” he said.
Under Local Government Act Health bylaws, such matters are usually taken to the court after issuance of notices; fines are not hefty enough to act as deterrents. However, under the current Environmental Laws, the Ministry of Waterways and Environment has more jurisdictions in the matter and non-compliance can lead to harsh penalties.