Fiji Sun

Minister condemns irresponsi­ble littering

Mr Katamotu voiced his frustratio­n to the Nadi Town Council and residents after witnessing rubbish scattered along the Denarau Backroad and bus stops while in the west last week

- MERELEKI NAI Feedback: mereleki.nai@fijisun.com.fj

The people of Nadi, officers of Nadi Town Council and stakeholde­rs must exercise responsibi­lity when it comes to solid waste management in their communitie­s. Maciu Katamotu Minister for Local Government and Housing

Minister for Local Government and Housing Maciu Katamotu voiced his concern on how people dump their rubbish along the roadsides and bus stops and even beside the rubbish bins provided.

Mr Katamotu voiced his frustratio­n to the Nadi Town Council and residents after witnessing rubbish scattered along the Denarau Backroad and bus stops while in the west last week.

“There is a need to teach the communitie­s the best way to manage their rubbish,” Mr Katamotu said. “We were driving towards the Backroad linking to Denarau, when we spotted rubbish scattered everywhere; people are just littering, putting their rubbish carelessly around the bus stop areas and roadsides.

“The people of Nadi, officers of Nadi Town Council and stakeholde­rs must exercise responsibi­lity when it comes to solid waste management in their communitie­s.” The minister encouraged the council to forge partnershi­ps towards a strategy that can ensure the well-being of its people and natural resources.

“Solid waste management is not the sole responsibi­lity of the council but each one of us. If we work together, we can certainly achieve our goal for cleaner oceans, healthier ecosystems, and sustainabl­e developmen­t for our future generation­s,” he said.

“We must find short-term and long-term solutions to address the global problem.”

Council chair of special administra­tors Saliceni Raiwalui said they were working with stakeholde­rs in urban and rural areas of Nadi to collaborat­e and tackle the issue. “We are very serious about this issue. At this age I have seen very reckless people living among us.,’ Mr Raiwalui said.

“We cannot make Nadi a city when we are careless about making this small town clean.”

Council acting chief executive officer, Muni Reddy said before declaring Nadi a city they must make sure that Nadi is clean and presentabl­e to the people.

“We already have a plan in place, but reckless behaviours and civic minded people need to change,” he said.

 ?? Photo: Mereleki Nai ?? Rubbish is strewn beside the rubbish bin at the Nadi bus shelter.
Photo: Mereleki Nai Rubbish is strewn beside the rubbish bin at the Nadi bus shelter.

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