The Nasinu Town Council has assumed control of waste management services in an effort to address backlogs and enhance service delivery in the region. Council chair Felix Magnus announced that since August 1, the Council has fully taken over solid waste management responsibilities, following the conclusion of a cost-sharing agreement with the Suva City Council that had been in place since 2020.
“The contract ended in July, and we assumed responsibility on August 1,” Magnus stated. He also mentioned that the government has allocated four new compactor trucks to the Nasinu Council as part of the new budget, and they will receive these vehicles once the government completes the handover process.
In addition to the new trucks, the Council has purchased a waste management truck that is currently pending approval from the Ministry of Environment. Magnus highlighted that the Council is actively working on clearing litter from communities while addressing issues related to illegal dumping.
“Since our solid waste management was previously with Suva, we have experienced a backlog in waste collection. We’ve observed people discarding their waste on the roadsides,” he said. The Council plans to strengthen enforcement against illegal dumping, urging residents to responsibly dispose of their waste to help mitigate this problem.
Magnus expressed appreciation for government support, which has been vital in tackling these challenges and facilitating the acquisition of resources for waste management. Moreover, the Council intends to involve the community in various initiatives, such as installing streetlights in informal settlements and providing rubbish bins to improve local infrastructure.