SUVA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) will man checkpoints on the island nation's roads for the first time to crack down on illegally smuggled vehicles into the country.
According to Fiji broadcasting Corporation (FBC) on Wednesday, FRCS will at the same time crack down on illegal taxi operations.
Under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will collaborate with FRCS to weed out Public Service Vehicle (PSV) drivers and rental cars illegally operating as taxis, a concern that was raised by the Fiji Taxi Association recently.
The collaboration will allow both parties to help identify illegally smuggled vehicles running on Fiji roads.
FRCS Chief Executive Officer Visavanatn Das said Wednesday illegally imported cars put Fijian lives at risk.
FRCS will also act on behalf of the Land Transport Authority at the borders to ensure prohibited items are not coming into the country, he said, adding that despite issuing several warnings, fraudsters continue to disregard their message.
LTA CEO Samuel Simpson said the fight to eliminate rogue drivers and operators is a challenge that needed a collective fight.
"For the first time, joint operations between Fiji Revenue and Custom Service and LTA enforcement officials will take place. We are cracking down on the illegal taxis. You will see vehicle checkpoints which will be manned by FRCS and LTA and we will be targeting those illegal PSV operations around the country."
While the MoU means increased manpower to crack down on those who continue to defy the law, LTA and FRCS said the onus is on Fijians, to be honest in their dealings and cease illegal operations.
Last year LTA had engaged an overseas vehicle inspection center to carry out pre-shipment vehicle inspection in Japan, Australia and New Zealand where cars are imported from last October.
The Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center (JEVIC) signs off on vehicles before they are brought into the Fijian market.
