Residents in Lautoka have been enduring smoke from fires at the Vunato Rubbish Dump for the past 10 to 15 years, with the Lautoka Ratepayers Association calling on the Government to urgently address the recurring problem.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Lautoka resident and Ratepayers Association President Narayan Reddy says this is the fourth day of the latest fire, with residents continuing to suffer from smoke spreading from the rubbish dump.
Reddy says the dump has been catching fire almost every year, with incidents often occurring after the free clean-up campaign.
He says the fires normally burn for about a week, with last year's fire only being brought under control with the help of rain.
Reddy says although the Lautoka City Council built lookout points and installed water hydrants following last year's fire, these measures have done little to prevent or control the recurring fires.
He says residents have been calling for the rubbish dump to be relocated, with a Lautoka businessman offering 46 acres of land earlier this year for the proposed relocation.
Reddy says the Lautoka Ratepayers Association had written to the Lautoka City Council and the Minister for Local Government regarding the land offer but had not received a response from either party.
The Association is now calling on the Government to look into the recurring fires, saying residents are suffering from the smoke.
It is also requesting the National Fire Authority to assist the Lautoka City Council in fighting the fire and bringing it under control more quickly.
