Minister for Local Government, Premila Kumar says that CCTV cameras would be put in place to support the fight against substance and drug abuse in municipalities.

Replying to SODELPA MP Lynda Tabuya’s question on what procedures are being followed to counter the issue, Kumar says they are working with market supervisors, market vendors and the Fiji Police Force to minimize the abuse.

She says that there are 32 CCTV cameras installed at the Suva Municipal Market and 27 CCTV cameras at the Civic Building which are all linked to the Police Force.

She adds that 15 cameras are installed at Lautoka Municipal Market and there is a Police Post within the market. Kumar also says that there are cameras in place in Nadi, Namaka, and Sigatoka markets as well.

Kumar says that plans are in place to install 8 cameras within 3 weeks at Ba Market and 5 at Nausori Market while 11 cameras are already in place at the Labasa Market.

Tabuya also questioned whether they have any plans to place cameras on business premises to monitor business license and their activities.

Kumar says that they cannot place cameras on private businesses but they can monitor their activities from the cameras placed in public areas.

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