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Japan Assists Suva’s Waste Management Efforts

The Suva City Council’s services have been boosted with a donation of a garbage compactor truck worth US$81,703 (approx. FJ$151,500) from the Government of Japan. The vehicle will be presented to the Lord Mayor of Suva, Councillor Major Ratu Peni Vula Volavola, by the Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Kenro Iino, at a handing-over ceremony to be held at the Suva City Council Works Depot at Fulaga Street, Samabula, at 11:00 am on Friday 30 January 2004.

The new garbage compactor truck, provided under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme, will enhance the Council’s environmental health services to the citizens of Suva. As a result of Suva’s increasing population and the much anticipated construction of the new Naboro Landfill, which are expected to increase the workload of the Council’s services, the Council approached the Embassy of Japan early in 2003 for assistance to procure a garbage truck to add to their current fleet of 6 garbage trucks.

Japan has had cooperative relations with the Suva City Council for many years, contributing to various Council projects, which includes upgrading the Suva City Library, providing equipment for the Suva Civic Centre and assigning Japanese technical personnel to the Council. This latest contribution comes in light of the increasing environmental problems faced by many South Pacific Island countries, which do not have adequate means for waste management. In recognition of this, the recent Japan-Pacific Islands Forum Summit Meeting (PALM 2003) held in Okinawa, Japan early last year, and co-chaired by Japan’s Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Fiji’s Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, concluded with Japan committing itself in a Joint Action Plan with Pacific Islands leaders to create a safer and more sustainable Pacific Environment through effective waste management.