Fiji should change its stance on waste dumping since it is 2023 and not the 1900s - Lesuma

It's 2023 and not the 1900s when France, the UK, and Britain were undertaking nuclear tests in the Pacific and we encourage the Fiji government to change its stance on wastewater dumping given that Fiji is a leader in the Pacific.

This was highlighted by Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) in Fiji Nuclear Justice campaigner Epeli Lesuma in an interview with fijivillage News.

Lesuma says one of the concerns is around the discrepancies that exist around data and the true safety of the waste border release.

He says the panel of experts found out that there were differences between the number and the statistics that existed between them and their findings and it is concerning that the true picture is not being painted for Pacific people to make an informed decision of whether it’s safe to release in the ocean.

Lesuma says some alternatives are being suggested by the panel of experts, dumping, and releasing this water into the ocean should be the last resort.

He adds that surely the issue of nuclear testing and waste dumping should not be something that is not perpetrated in 2023.

Lesuma says they hope that through their way in advocacy work, Fiji may change its stance and may continue to maintain this view of mainlining a nuclear-free Pacific.