Hasten gravel extraction process, PM says

PRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama issued a directive to the Environment Department to hasten processes to allow a village in Tailevu to extract gravel.

Commissioner Central Josefa Navuku said processes needed to be followed or the villagers could end up in jail.

Mr Bainimarama, however, said processes needed to be fastened for any such processes.

He gave the directive after Nayavu District representative Levani Tikoduadua asked if they could be given the green light to extract gravel from the river for a development project in Nayavu.

Mr Tikoduadua said government officials warned they could be penalised for up to 10 years and pay a fine of up to $700,000 if they continued with the gravel extraction.

“We don’t want to go to jail, please change laws because we just want to extract gravel to build our village hall and we won’t sell it,” Mr Tikoduadua said.

In response, Mr Bainimarama told the Environment Department to hasten processes so they could be assisted.

“I agree with the request to build houses, please give it to them,” the PM said.

Commissioner Central Josefa Navuku said the processes needed to be followed or they could end up in jail.

Environment Department official Kalikeni Sirivalu said the gravel belonged to Government.

He said there should be approval from the Lands and Minerals Department and Environment Department director.

Mr Sirivalu said they were waiting for the environment management plan to be reviewed before a decision could be made.

He said people needed to work within the Environment Act 2005 when extracting gravel and soil and also when the cutting down of pine and native trees.

He also said there was a need to do an environment impact assessment (EIA) screening before the green light was given, if not it could be deemed illegal.

The issue was raised during the Tailevu Provincial Council meeting in Naisausau Village, Namara on Thursday.