The Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association is urging the Lautoka City Council to reinstate and increase the frequency of free city-wide clean-up campaigns in response to a troubling rise in improper waste disposal. Association president Narayan Reddy expressed significant concern over the rampant littering that has turned various parts of the city into both an eyesore and a health risk.
Reddy pointed out that people have been indiscriminately dumping rubbish, citing a specific incident where a truck was spotted illegally discarding waste near the Waiyavi waterfall. This issue is not limited to isolated incidents, as he highlighted that illegal dumping is prevalent throughout residential neighborhoods and waterways, exacerbating environmental concerns. “There’s a lot of illegal dumping being done, and most of our creeks and rivers are affected,” he lamented, noting that debris, such as banana tree leaves, is often tossed into drains during rainfall.
The city previously enjoyed the benefit of three free clean-up exercises each year, but the number was cut to just one by the previous government. In light of this reduction, Reddy stated, “We’re going to be asking the council if we could go back to the three free clean-up campaigns, then we can limit this careless rubbish dumping.” He acknowledged the financial implications of such initiatives but emphasized that the cost of cleaning up the aftermath of illegal dumping is also significant for the council. As a compromise, he suggested reintroducing a clean-up campaign every six months to help tackle the issue more effectively.
This call to action represents a hopeful step toward enhancing community awareness and responsibility regarding waste management, potentially leading to a cleaner and healthier environment for all residents of Lautoka.
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