SUVA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Fiji has begun to train Litter Prevention Officers (LPO) to work together with the authorities in combating littering and enforcing anti-litter laws.
According to a statement by Fiji's Department of Information on Monday, Fiji's Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment Mahendra Reddy said on Monday at the Litter Act 2008 LPO Enforcement Training held in the Fijian capital city of Suva that the one-day training was timely as it had come at a time when waste issues have been at the heart of discussions at all levels and in all sectors of the Fijian government including the private sector.
Reddy said littering is a big problem for Fiji as it not only causes pollution but also causes health problems.
"Litter is also a threat to public health as it attracts vermin and can negatively affect the image of communities. Litter using plastics causes an additional problem of stalling decomposition of materials which could decompose," he said.
In an effort to have a cleaner Fiji, the Fijian government has been installing rubbish bins nationwide, and Fiji's Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has urged Fijians to make good use of rubbish bins.