The Government of Japan handed-over a new mobile shredder machine worth US$71,000.00 to Nadi Town Council through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Programme to promote green waste minimisation and recycling in Nadi Town. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also handed-over a new Multipurpose Truck worth US$48,000.00 to Nadi Town as an input of Waste Minimization and Recycling Promotion Project implemented by JICA from October 2008 to April 2012.

The Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of the Fiji Islands, H.E. Yutaka Yoshizawa, and the Resident Representative of JICA FIJI OFFICE, Mr. Juichiro Sasaki, were in Nadi to officially hand-over the new shredder and the new truck to Nadi Town Council at 12.30 p.m. on Friday 29th October, 2010.

The new mobile shredder and the new multipurpose truck will empower Nadi Town Council to effectively maintain the environment of Nadi Town, which is the main centre for business to around 60,000 people. The town also serves as the main entrance of the Fiji Islands and main commercial centre for the tourism industry in Fiji and the Pacific. The concepts of “green waste recycling” and “separating collection service for recyclables”  has been an ongoing practice around Nadi and Lautoka town boundaries since the launch of JICA’s project. This new shredding machine and new truck are expected to contribute to the promotion of this project. Especially replacing the old shredder will enable Nadi Town Council to gather and shred green waste from parks, street pruning, residents etc into chips for mulching public gardens or being sold to private companies as fuel for boiler. All of this is done keeping in mind the theme of Nadi Town Council of “Jet Set Clean Nadi”.  

Japan’s assistance to this project indicates its commitment to promote clean, safe and beautiful environment for the people of Fiji Islands and is in line with its Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy of promoting development at the grassroots level. The GGP programme is specifically designed to address basic human needs, which include sanitary environment, water supply, health, basic education, vocational training, and rural infrastructure.  It is hoped that this assistance will help further strengthen the friendly ties currently enjoyed by the governments and the peoples of Japan and the Fiji Islands.