The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has formally rejected the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for the proposed Energy‑from‑Waste plant and private port facility at Vuda Point, ruling the submission by The Next Generation Holdings (Fiji) Pte Limited inadequate and leaving the project without the environmental clearance it needs to proceed.
In a statement released today, the ministry said a technical review carried out under the Environment Management Act 2005 and the Environment Management (EIA Process) Regulations 2007 found “several critical issues” unresolved in the EIA report. Among the specific gaps cited were the proposed project’s scale, arrangements for waste supply, the prospect of imported waste, management of hazardous ash residues, and the adequacy of water supply. The review also raised concerns about public health risks, broader environmental impacts, road and port infrastructure requirements, social and cultural implications, potential effects on tourism, and the overall economic viability of the proposal.
Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr. Sivendra Michael said the decision was strictly based on the standard of information and analysis formally submitted for assessment. “This is not a decision against investment or against new waste solutions. It is a decision on whether the EIA Report met the legal and technical standards required for approval. It did not,” Dr. Michael said, emphasising that for a project of this scale the Department must be satisfied that risks to people, communities, the environment, culture, livelihoods and the economy “are properly assessed and can be properly managed.”
The ministry noted that several matters had been deferred by the proponent for future assessment rather than being comprehensively addressed in the EIA itself. For that reason, the Department concluded it was not satisfied that potential impacts and risks could be adequately assessed or managed on the basis of the current documentation. The ministry did not detail whether specific technical studies—such as independent air‑quality modelling, ash toxicity testing, or secure hazardous‑waste disposal plans—would be required in any revised submission.
The rejection represents the latest, formal checkpoint for a project that has attracted strong public interest. The ministry thanked the traditional landowners of Vuda, residents of Vuda and Saweni, government agencies, civil society organisations, technical experts, businesses and members of the public who participated in the review process. It reiterated a commitment to “transparent, lawful and evidence‑based environmental decision‑making in the public interest.”
With the EIA report deemed non‑compliant, the project proponent will need to address the deficiencies identified in the technical review before any further approvals can be considered. The ministry’s finding makes clear that resolving questions about waste sourcing, imported material, hazardous ash handling and infrastructure capacity will be prerequisites for any future reassessment.