Dumpster Fires Deliberately Lit
There is a dumpster fire each month near an informal settlement, according to providers of the skip bins along the Suva Nausori corridor.
Yesterday, a bin placed near the Wailea informal settlement in Daya Street was set ablaze.
The bin is a free of charge service provided to the squatter settlers so there is no issue with garbage leading to health issues. Municipal councils or ratepayers are bearing this cost.
Ratepayers pay for the essential service of garbage collection. And because it is an essential service we have placed the bins for informal settlements. Isikeli Tikoduadua Suva and Lami special administrator
Carpenters Shipping which owns the bin in Daya Street said it takes almost $2000 to repair a bin damaged by fire.
General manager Hoshnever Trombaywalla alleges that the fires in most cases are set purposely. He claims that sometimes it is done after a dead animal is thrown into the bin.
He said the cost of the damage has to be carried by the company.
Suva and Lami special administrator Isikeli Tikoduadua said such behaviour is not tolerated.
“Ratepayers pay for the essential service of garbage collection. And because it is an essential service we have placed the bins for informal settlements,” he said.
“We would like to remind the public that it is an offence to set the bins on fire and anyone caught would be dealt with accordingly. “However, we urge people in informal settlements to take responsibility for a service that is helping them.”
Some residents in Vatuwaqa are adamant that such behaviour would only stop if the informal settlement is removed.
Vatuwaqa is surrounded by three informal settlements giving the area the biggest squatter population in the country.
The Ministry of Housing is looking at formalising the Muaniwalu Settlement while Nanuku residents would be moved to Makoi. No plans have been announced for Wailea.