Agreement signed for new sanitary landfill and dumpsite rehabilitation in Western Division

Good news for the people of the Western Division, as an agreement for a new sanitary landfill and the rehabilitation of four open dumpsites has been signed between the Asian Development Bank and the Ministry of Local Government.

ADB says the project following the signing of the Transaction Advisory Services Agreement, envisioned as a public–private partnership, aims to address critical urban waste management challenges while ensuring environmental and public health benefits.

They says the project will be implemented by MLG together with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Local Government Seema Sharma and the Head of ADB’s Office of Markets Development and Public–Private Partnerships Cleo Kawawaki signed the agreement in Suva in the presence of the Regional Director of ADB’s Pacific Subregional Office in Fiji, Aaron Batten, and the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Sivendra Michael.

Batten says this project is a crucial step toward sustainable waste management in Fiji.

He says by leveraging public–private partnerships, they can bring innovative solutions to improve infrastructure, protect the environment, and support healthier communities.

ADB says the project envisions the construction of a sanitary landfill, including engineered cells and leachate collection.

They add rehabilitation of existing open dumpsites will mitigate pollution and health risks, while paving the way for sustainable urban development.