Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and SMEs Manoa Kamikamica has put the former Minister for Environment Mahendra Reddy on notice for his statement yesterday.
Kamikamica says it is unfortunate that for some reason the FijiFirst Party chooses to sensationalise issues in the media before properly looking at the facts.
He says the statement by Reddy was totally wrong as the stop work order against Laucala Island Resorts Hangar under construction was never issued by the Department of Environment but was issued by Fiji Airports Limited in September last year.
He adds there was no explanation given about the stop work order.
With regards to the factory in Ba, the Minister says this company received a stop order notice last week and it was then going to put 200 workers in Ba out of work.
He says given the serious implications, he as Minister responsible for Trade initiated an urgent meeting with the Department of Environment to discuss the case.
Kamikamica says contrary to what Reddy alleged, he did not threaten anyone in the meeting and the overall tone was one of facilitation, respect and cordiality.
He adds at the end of the meeting, a way was found to keep the factory open and for the testing of air qualities to be conducted at the steel mill in Ba and testing is currently being conducted.
The Deputy Prime Minister says both matters were driven from his Office, and not from the Prime Minister’s Office as mischievously stated by Reddy.
He says the people of Fiji understand well the record of the FijiFirst Party when it comes to the environment.
