Minister calls for action on environment upkeep ‘No time for nonsense’
PACIFIC Recycling Foundation founder Amitesh Deo has reiterated the urgent need to address the country’s waste problem.
“We no longer have time for nonsense when we are dealing with our waste management crisis,” he said.
“Talk without action is nonsense.”
Mr Deo told participants of the Pacific Recycling Foundation strategic planning workshop in Suva on Tuesday the foundation’s strategic plan was about strengthening “our voices and our actions”.
“Therefore, walking the talk is the cornerstone of our strategic planning development process,” he said.
His first job in a recycling yard as well as the people he had met, he said, had helped shape who he is and helped him find a purpose in his life.
“Back then, sitting amongst this group just to have a once-a-week free food, I had no idea that they would eventually become a big part of my life.”
IT is the responsibility of all to safeguard the environment, nurture the economy and enhance social wellbeing for generations to come, says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Civil
Aviation and Education, Viliame Gavoka.
He told the Pacific Recycling Foundation’s stakeholder workshop on Tuesday the event signified a shared commitment to address waste management, which is one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
“Our actions, if left unchecked, directly impacts Fiji’s delicate ecosystem, the health of our communities and the bounty of our land,” he said.
Mr Gavoka said waste management was multifaceted and required partnerships that transcended organisational boundaries where the Government, NGOS and companies along with civil society must all play a role.
He said innovation thrived in a collaborative environment by sharing knowledge, resources and best practices, and that this would generate solutions that maximised impact.
“The workshop is a testament of what partnerships can achieve,” the minister said.
“The Pacific Recycling Foundation stands at the forefront of positive change. Its approach to waste management is community-driven and sustainable.
“Our theme, walk the talk and connect the dots, emphasises action. Let us align our words with deeds.”