The Minister for Environment and Climate Change (MECC), Mosese Bulitavu, has acknowledged an oil discharge incident in Sigatoka, which was communicated via a letter from Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) on March 5. The MECC’s Waste and Pollution Control Team was promptly dispatched to inspect the site, confirming that the oil discharge stemmed from the separator pit at the EFL Sigatoka Powerhouse, exacerbated by recent heavy rainfall.
During their investigation, the MECC officer met with the village headman from Nasama to provide updates and brief the community on the situation. However, local residents have expressed dissatisfaction with EFL’s initial response, stating that despite the deployment of a response kit, it proved ineffective in addressing the oil spill. Consequently, two villages and a nearby settlement have been advised against using the river for any purposes, including swimming and fishing.
Vunavutu Village headman, Emitai Qaratu, mentioned that health officials collected water samples from the river for analysis, advising the community to avoid contact with the waterways until results are available. The urgency for remedial action has been emphasized by community leaders, with calls for immediate solutions to effectively manage the spill, including suggestions of draining the river if necessary.
Concerns regarding the impact of the spill on local wildlife and food sources have heightened, with residents fearing potential contamination of their primary water supplies and livelihoods. Ratu Meli Nasaravua from Nasama Village echoed these worries, noting the lack of immediate action by authorities and expressing frustration over the situation.
This incident underscores the critical need for effective collaboration between governmental agencies and local communities. Past similar events have highlighted the necessity for swift and cooperative responses to environmental crises. Encouragingly, the MECC has reiterated its commitment to working closely with EFL and the affected communities to address the situation and protect Fiji’s natural resources. The strong involvement of the community in advocating for proactive measures can foster resilience and inspire positive environmental stewardship moving forward.
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