Fiji’s three main security forces joined hands today in a major clean-up campaign as part of its Fiji Day celebrations, with a focus on keeping the country clean, green and environmentally sustainable for future generations.
Members of the Fiji Police Force, RFMF and the Fiji Corrections Service, with staff from the Ministry for Women, Children and Social Protection turned up in numbers to conduct a clean-up from Tikaram Park in Lami to Delanavesi Police Post.
Director of Community Policing Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Chand says the Fiji Police Force, Fiji Corrections Service and RFMF are working together on a number of community engagement initiatives during Fiji Day celebrations.
Chand says the clean-up campaign covered areas along the Queens Highway and coastal areas, with participants collecting rubbish as part of the security forces’ contribution towards protecting the environment.
He says the initiative is also aimed at supporting Fiji’s national environmental objectives and wider global climate goals through the Pre-COP31 engagement being hosted by Fiji this year.
Chand says initiatives such as the clean-up allow the three security forces to come together, engage with communities and give back to the people they serve.
He says they want to contribute towards ensuring Fiji remains environmentally sustainable and green for future generations.
As part of Fiji Day activities, the security forces also have a booth at Ratu Sukuna Park where awareness programmes are being conducted, while officers are also visiting schools as part of their community engagement.
Chand says more similar community initiatives will be organised in the future.
Meanwhile, Dorin Devi from the Ministry of Women says they joined the clean-up as part of their efforts to protect the environment and keep Fiji clean.
She says Fiji Day holds special meaning for her as someone who was born and raised in the country and is encouraging children and adults to take pride in the occasion and participate in the celebrations.
Devi raised concerns about the amount of rubbish being found along roadsides, urging vehicles to keep a rubbish bag or container inside their vehicles instead of throwing waste onto roadsides.
People are also being encouraged to take their rubbish home or dispose it at an appropriate facility to help protect Fiji’s environment.
Fiji Day Week celebrations will conclude on Saturday, with the unity march at 8.30am from the Flea Market to Albert Park, followed by a parade at 11:30am.
