Lenora Qereqeretabua, Fiji’s Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister, raised an urgent question in Parliament regarding littering, pressing her audience to reflect on their civic pride. During her remarks, she pointedly asked, “Where is your pride in your suburb, your village, your town?” She further challenged the community’s commitment to cleanliness by highlighting the affordability of rubbish bins compared to luxuries such as alcohol, data, and fuel. Her remarks aimed to evoke a sense of responsibility among citizens, emphasizing that leaving trash in plastic bags for strays to scatter undermines communal spaces.
Qereqeretabua’s comments echo similar sentiments expressed by former Speaker of the House, Pita Nacuva, who has noted a decline in civic responsibility regarding waste disposal over the years. Nacuva, reflecting on his time as the first Director of Town and Country Planning, lamented that past generations demonstrated greater care in managing waste compared to today’s society. He identified the pervasive issue of littering in public spaces, stressing that public education campaigns are necessary to cultivate a culture of environmental respect among residents.
Both leaders have called for enhanced awareness and collective efforts for better waste management practices in Fiji. This campaign for civic pride and responsibility is crucial as Fiji’s beautiful landscapes are at risk due to littering, which can affect tourism and public health.
Despite the challenges posed by waste management, Qereqeretabua’s and Nacuva’s advocacy highlights a hopeful outlook for positive change in Fiji. They encourage community involvement and youth engagement, asserting that small actions can lead to significant improvements. Instilling a sense of pride and collective responsibility among Fijians may ultimately foster a cleaner, more sustainable future, preserving the country’s natural heritage for generations to come.
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