Ro Aca Mataitini, a retired civil servant, has issued a heartfelt appeal to the public, urging an end to the detrimental practice of dumping garbage along roadsides. He emphasized that this illegal activity is not only harming the environment but also posing a risk to road users. Mataitini made his comments during a recent clean-up event, part of the Viti Clean initiative launched by the Redstream Maivale Foundation in Nasali, Rewa, on October 1.
The clean-up took place from 9 a.m. to midday, focusing on removing litter along the Kings Road at Kasavu. In just the first month of the Viti Clean initiative, volunteers collected a staggering 32 bags of rubbish from the area between Wainibokasi Bridge and Nasali Landing. The following week, they gathered an additional 35 bags around the bus stop near Wainibokasi Hospital. “It’s astonishing how some individuals continue to dump waste so irresponsibly,” Mataitini remarked.
To foster better waste disposal habits, Mataitini has introduced a recycling initiative aimed at local students, encouraging them to collect plastic bottles for a monetary reward. So far, around 20 primary school students have successfully gathered approximately 5,940 bottles in just one month.
He expressed gratitude towards community members like Elijah Vakarau, who generously provides his vehicle for hauling the collected rubbish to designated disposal sites. Mataitini stressed the importance of changing public habits around waste disposal, stating, “This is not anyone’s personal rubbish dump. If you have garbage, please take it to the proper disposal sites in Nausori, Nasinu, or Suva.”
Mataitini also noted the serious implications of littering, acknowledging that waste significantly impacts environmental health. He called upon the government and other stakeholders to take decisive action, urging them to go beyond discussions about climate change and environmental protection—“This is the time to act,” he insisted.
As the festive season approaches, he reminded citizens to be particularly mindful of their waste disposal, saying, “The environment is ours. Please, put your rubbish where it belongs.” This ongoing community effort reflects a hopeful commitment to preserving the beauty of the environment while fostering responsible habits for future generations.
Leave a comment