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Opening Address by the Minister for the Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment, Hon. Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi, at the Launching of the National Solid Waste Management Strategy held at the Holiday Inn, Suva – 27th June 2008 Representatives of Municipal Councils, Rural Local Authorities, Non Government Organisations, Industries and Commercial Facilities; Members of the Local Communities; School Children and Teachers of various educational institutions; Government Representatives; Ladies and Gentlemen. A very good morning to you all and COLA VINA! I am indeed honoured to be here with you on this important occasion, to deliver the opening remarks and also to officially launch the National Solid Waste Management Strategy: 2008 – 2010. Fiji is facing a huge challenge in trying to effectively manage all forms of wastes, especially its solid wastes, in a sustainable manner. The inadequate efforts by all stakeholders in this vitally important discipline over the years have incurred the Fiji Government and the international community significant amounts of money. Fiji, like all other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific region, recognizes that waste management is the single most important environment issue that needs immediate action. It is recognized as a major concern nationally, as well with the potential to cause negative impacts on our national development activities including public health, the environment, food security, tourism and trade. Today, the wastes that we generate are different from the kinds of wastes that we generated fifty years ago. This is due to new products and production processes that have emerged over the years. If we do not manage our wastes properly today, years down the road, these wastes will have adverse effects on our pristine environment and our people. This is now evident in most parts of Fiji! This has adversely affected our economic and social developments both directly and indirectly. For example, poorly managed wastes can have negative effects on tourism, particularly its association with health warnings about infectious and vector-borne diseases. There is also the potential for contamination of food supplies, which can have crippling impacts on local and international markets or revenues from export crops. There are numerous health and environmental hazards that arise when wastes are poorly managed and disposed. In this context, I can say that Fiji at the moment is so fortunate that it has the support and commitment of the Government and stakeholders to implement the National Solid Waste Management Strategy: 2008-2010. Without the involvement of eveyone, we cannot move forward together in this journey. The National Solid Waste Management Strategy sets out a medium to long-term program for addressing waste management issues in Fiji, so as to avoid adverse effects. In doing so the Fiji Government, together with its development partners in the private sector, external investors and donors have identified this problem as a national concern, and we are going to address it as a priority issue. The National Solid Waste Management Strategy was developed in consultations with approximately sixty (60) stakeholders from around Fiji. The strategy details the current waste management practices and outlines the inadequacies that exist in the system at the moment for redress. Some of the existing inadequacies are the lack of an effective regulatory framework, ineffective education and awareness system and lack of technical, financial and human resources in the area of solid waste management. The proposed Action Plans for the Strategy provide details of programs that are to be implemented at national, local and community levels. It is intended that the Strategy should provide a platform from which future waste management activities can be developed and the mechanism for coordinating them. The Strategy is based around the following seven major themes: 1. Legislation, Regulation and Institution; 2. Information, Education, Awareness and Community Programs; 3. Research and Development; 4. Waste Minimization and Recycling; 5. Improving Final Disposal, Monitoring and Litter Control; 6. Efficient Pricing and Economic Instruments; and 7. Infrastructure, Services and Collection. The Action Plans for the Strategy were developed based on the following: 1. Direct Measures - e.g. practicing composting. 2. Policy Development & Advocacy – e.g. legislation 3. Capacity Building & Awareness Raising – e.g. research 4. Incentives for Change – e.g. tax incentive May I throw in some light on the Policy Development and Advocacy planning undertaken by my Ministry. The Environmental Management Act 2005 was enforced through Government Gazette Notice Number 1 of 2008, which gives effect to the provisions of the Environmental Management EIA Process and the Waste Disposal Recycling Regulations 2007. The Environmental Management Act 2005 sets up an administrative framework to facilitate sustainable development. This enabling Act does not take away from existing Ministries and Departments their respective roles in respect of environmental management. A grace period of one year has been given to all industrial and commercial facilities, and also to allow the Department of Environment staffs undertake their current education and awareness training on this law. With effect from January 2009, I as the Minister responsible, will see the full enforcement of this law and will also be monitoring my staffs in the effectiveness of policing polluters of our environment and to make sure that facilities that do not abide by this law are taken to task accordingly. I wish to also advise that Cabinet had endorsed a number of recommendations on the Litter Promulgation 2008. A task force has been set up to work on these recommendations through my supervision and a final copy will be presented to Cabinet for its endorsement. This Litter Promulgation 2008 has undergone consultations during the last few years and it will be fully enforced soon. Again as the Minister responsible, I will monitor and police the full enforcement of this law by respective authorities. I will not tolerate any laxities in this area. We urgently need to clean up our environment and maintain it in a pristine state to safeguard our health and sustain our livelihood. We must all stop any forms of environmental pollution. My Ministry, respective authorities and the general public must ensure that effective controls through appropriate mechanisms are effectively in place to achieve these desired national targets. We have with us today, representatives from the Government sector, municipal councils, private sector, our children, education institutes and non government organizations. You have taken out your precious time to participate in this initiative today. This strongly indicates that you appreciate the seriousness of the waste management problem and are willing to help in the implementation of the Strategy and further develop solutions to resolve this problem. I am confident that through the past waste management forums, and your being an integral part in developing the National Solid Waste Management Strategy, we all have come to realize how valuable waste management is to us, and the current apathetic attitude that we have towards waste management in our country is basically “criminal”. Waste Management is a concept in which the whole life cycle of waste needs to be addressed. Solid waste in Fiji can be reduced drastically if we first implement waste minimization strategies. Waste minimization begins at the point source, if we buy durable items in the first place, then we would be minimizing the waste that we produce. Reusing and recycling materials also reduces the waste that comes out from our households or companies. Of course socio-economic analysis of any method that we propose for our country is needed to take place first. This analysis should determine the most appropriate method and procedures for getting the best returns in the social and economic values from the wastes. The National Solid Waste Management Strategy, ladies and gentlemen, is a contribution on our part to coordinate and support efforts on current minimization initiatives and new approaches which are taken by the tourism sector and the Government as a whole. The Strategy should also set directions to how you as stakeholders can address solid waste management issues in the future. It is challenging because it demands significant change in our values, perceptions and lifestyles – this is the ‘hard yard’ challenge for us all. We urgently need an enlightened generation to carry this change forward, and we are that generation! I am aware that Fiji is well ahead of other countries in the region in developing a National Solid Waste Management Strategy. However, our task now is to ensure it is effectively implemented. Therefore, a committee will be set up to ensure the full implementation of this Strategy and the committee will be providing updates to my office. Today the working groups for the different programme areas will be presenting the Action Plans that were developed. These Action Plans need careful considerations so that they can be accepted widely and be implemented accordingly. I am certain that with all the experiences and expertise present in this launching today, we will be able to develop appropriate actions for Fiji that will effectively address the key issues of concern. Some of the things that have to be kept in mind when prioritizing Action Plans are: environmental risks and harm to human health, achievability of proposed policies, public concern and cost effectiveness. I would like to emphasize once more that the increasing volume of solid wastes is a threat to our environment and our health, not only today but also tomorrow. Unfortunately, many people are blind to this simple fact. This only serves to enhance the demanding nature of our tasks as stakeholders in implementing this very important national Strategy. We have to convince and convert everyone to take responsibility for their wastes and to also add value to their wastes. I would like to wish you all the very best returns in today’s Program, and will be looking forward to our joint implementation of the National Solid Waste Management Strategy 2008-2010 for Fiji. In doing so, we will enable our future generations to live and work in a beautiful and serene island environment. I now have the pleasure in officially opening the program, and also great pleasure in launching the Fiji National Solid Waste Management Strategy 2008 – 2010. Thank you and May the Lord Blesses us all. ---------------- |
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