The people of Namosi have questioned the Prime Minister as to how Gold Rock Investment Limited was given a license to operate a quarry business in Wainadoi after the Village Headman of Mau, Ananaiasa Roko alleged that this company was destroying natural resources in Dawasamu.
The matter was raised during the talanoa session of the National Resource Owners with Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka.
The former Veivatuloa District representative says last year, they visited Dawasamu and witnessed the devastation.
Roko says a few months back, they were surprised to hear that this company is conducting work in the Namosi Province as they have set up a quarry business in Wainadoi.
He questioned the government why was a license given to them to operate and deal with the natural resources in Nabukebuke.
While responding to the question raised by Roko, Director of Environment, Sandeep Singh says they did an Environment Impact Assessment, but there has been some non-compliance from the company.
She says they have issued their prohibition notice in the past, and they will check on the company’s compliance again. Prime Minister Rabuka says an Environment Impact Assessment will be done by a qualified specialist from the Department of Environment, and if they see that the natural resources will be impacted, the company will have to compensate the landowners.
He says they don’t want the resources to be damaged.
We have sent questions to Gold Rock Investment Limited in regards to the claim by the Village Headman of Mau. They are yet to respond.
When fijivillage News asked the Director of Environment, Sandeep Singh to clarify about the non-compliance, prohibition notice, and why was the license given, she did not respond.
