Village imposes $1,000 fine

By Ioana Tupa'i 02 November 2017, 12:00AM

The village of Fagali’i has agreed to fine any person who is found littering in any part of the village $1,000.

This is part of their efforts to promote this year’s Environment Week theme “Healthy Environment, Healthy People.”

“If they do not abide by it (penalty) they will face the consequences of such actions through the law,” village representative, Ūmalau Tapunu’u Auvaa told the Samoa Observer yesterday.

“In this way we support the Ridge to Reef Programme.”

The Ridge to Reef Programme is endorsed by the S.P.C. and M.N.R.E.

The project aims to integrate land, water and coastal management at the Fagali’i watershed area.

However, Ridge to Reef Manager, Fata Leaitiogie Malolo, said in the past they had found that the Fagali’i watershed area was being used as a dumping place by the public.

“It is a concern to the ministry because it has a lot of impact on the environment,” he said.

“I want to put out a message to the public who are dumping rubbish at the Fagali’i area and Letogo, to please be mindful of their actions.”

Keep Samoa clean.

According to Ūmalau, their village strongly supports the programme.

“There will be village members who will take turn in monitoring the Fagali’i Watershed Area because there are some people who use the river to wash their vehicles. Others use it as a dumping place for their own rubbish.”

As part of the programme, Ridge to Reef Programme handed over tools to the Village of Fagali’i which was accepted by Ūmalau.

The pilot programme has already been implemented in Faleaseela, Aleipata, Sagone and Vaipouli on the big island of Savai’i.

By Ioana Tupa'i 02 November 2017, 12:00AM

Trending Stories

Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>