The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has conducted Litter Prevention Officers (LPO) Enforcement Training in Labasa, with 29 officers from the Fiji Police Force, the Land Transport Authority, and the Labasa Town Council completing the programme.
These officers are now legally empowered to issue on-the-spot fines and direct individuals caught littering to immediately clean up their waste, strengthening enforcement on the ground.
This brings the total number of trained Litter Prevention Officers nationwide to 403, as Government steps up efforts to tackle littering and illegal dumping across the country.
The training forms part of a broader national push to strengthen enforcement, as well as the Ministry’s efforts to modernize Fiji’s legal framework, with the Litter (Amendment) Bill to be tabled in Parliament next week. The proposed amendments will enhance compliance measures, improve enforcement tools, and ensure clearer accountability for both individuals and businesses.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Lynda Tabuya, said enforcement must be supported by practical solutions and shared responsibility.
“Enforcement alone is not enough. Every Fijian has a role to play in keeping our communities clean and protecting our environment.”
In parallel, the Ministry will commission another Trashboom in Nausori tomorrow, expanding efforts to intercept waste in rivers before it reaches the ocean. The initiative complements enforcement measures by addressing waste at source and preventing marine pollution.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to a balanced approach, combining stronger laws, active enforcement, and on-the-ground solutions to deliver a cleaner and safer Fiji.