Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka emphasized the urgent need to enhance the enforcement and execution of the Litter Act 2008 during a speech in Parliament on Wednesday. He highlighted the importance of safeguarding Fiji’s islands and unique ecosystems, pointing out that many citizens exhibit “bad habits.”
Recalling his visits to China and Japan, Mr. Rabuka noted the cleanliness of their roads and said that the current penalties for littering are not sufficiently deterrent. He remarked, “The fine is $40, whether you dump a car, dump a fridge or plastic bag and get prosecuted, it’s $40.”
He mentioned that the ministry is actively working on bolstering enforcement, which is a significant concern. To date, there have been 18 training workshops for various authorities across Fiji, resulting in the training and appointment of 598 litter prevention officers.
Mr. Rabuka also mentioned that in 2019, during the FijiFirst administration, all 14 provinces sent conservation and litter enforcement officers for training under the 2008 Act. He stated that a training plan is being developed for new litter prevention officers for the current fiscal year.
Despite these advancements, Mr. Rabuka acknowledged that the Litter Act is outdated, lacking the necessary definitions and distinctions that would facilitate effective enforcement. He confirmed that a review of the Act is underway, with consultations currently taking place to prepare the amended legislation for Cabinet consideration, while recognizing existing deficiencies in the Litter Act 2008 and its 2010 amendments.