The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has intensified its commitment to combating littering through enhanced enforcement measures as part of its ongoing national anti-litter campaign. Recently, a training session for new Litter Prevention Officers was conducted, marking a significant step in this initiative.
According to Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Sivendra Michael, the campaign, which commenced last year and will run for three years, emphasizes five critical pillars, including behavioral change and robust enforcement. The Ministry aims to have a total of five hundred litter prevention officers trained by June 2026. Thus far, two hundred eighty-seven officers from various governmental departments have completed the training, including forty-three who were trained last week from the police and Land Transport Authority, and an additional thirty-six officers from the Central Division trained today.
The training program provides these officers with essential enforcement tools, such as identification and fine books that empower them to impose penalties under the Litter Act of 2008 against reckless littering. In his remarks, Michael pointed out that effective enforcement is vital: “You can have a good regulation and a good Act, but if you are not able to enforce that, then you have a system that does not work.” He emphasized that substantive legislation must be backed by practical enforcement strategies, as laws cannot achieve their intended purpose without diligent implementation.
The Ministry’s commitment to this issue is reflected in recent enforcement statistics; for instance, the Lautoka City Council issued over six hundred forty littering fines in the last financial year, while Nasinu recorded more than four hundred littering cases.
Additionally, the Ministry has responded to public concerns regarding proposed waste-to-energy projects, clarifying its role as strictly regulatory. Michael reiterated that any development in this area must go through a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment, including public consultations prior to consideration for approval.
As part of its forward-looking approach, the Ministry is currently reviewing existing waste, recycling, and littering regulations, with intentions to introduce tiered penalties based on the severity and environmental impact associated with various types of waste. National consultations are expected to take place before any proposed amendments are presented to the Cabinet, indicating a proactive stride towards addressing waste management and environmental protection in the region.
Overall, this initiative not only seeks to mitigate littering but also aims to raise public awareness about environmental stewardship, showcasing a hopeful vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
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