Opposition MP Hem Chand has called on the Government to step in after landowners and residents in Vuda raised strong opposition to a proposed waste-to-energy plant, saying the community was not properly consulted and fears for its health, environment and livelihoods. Chand told parliament and local media that dozens of people had contacted him in recent weeks demanding clarity on who approved the project and whether due process was followed.
“People of Vuda have contacted me directly and expressed concerns about the potential environmental, health and social impacts of the proposed development,” Chand said, adding that those concerns are “absolutely genuine” given the uncertainty over approvals. He said landowners wanted answers on who gave permission for the plant and why they were not consulted in the decision-making process.
Chand emphasised Vuda’s cultural and historical importance, noting the area is regarded locally as the landing site of the first Fijians and is prized for its pristine environment and tourism appeal. He highlighted the plant’s proximity to resorts, schools, villages, a university and a health centre, questioning whether such a facility should be sited so close to homes, businesses and public institutions.
Residents, Chand said, have “rightfully opposed” the proposal and are urging immediate government intervention so their voices are respected. “People of Vuda do not want to compromise their health, environment or livelihoods in the future,” he told reporters, framing the opposition as both a local and cultural defence rather than a narrow land dispute.
The MP’s intervention is the latest development in a broader national conversation about how Fiji manages its waste. Advocacy groups and industry players have been urging alternatives to landfill, including recycling and waste-to-energy options, while community groups have previously flagged risks associated with hazardous waste streams and inadequate public consultation. Last year the Pacific Recycling Foundation launched the VAKA Forum to push municipalities toward better waste management practices, underscoring competing priorities between environmental innovation and local community safeguards.
There has been no immediate public response from the Government or from proponents of the Vuda project to Chand’s appeal. It is unclear which agencies granted approvals or whether environmental and social impact assessments for the plant have been completed and published. Chand has demanded that any approvals be made transparent and that affected landowners be consulted as part of any next steps.
As the dispute unfolds, key questions remain about the formal approval process, the identity of the project proponents, and the technical safeguards proposed to protect nearby communities and tourism assets. Chand’s call for intervention signals growing political attention to local objections and raises the likelihood of further scrutiny from regulators and civil society if the Government does not address the landowners’ concerns.
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