“You are the eyes and ears of the Ministry and you have to be able to go in the community and prevent litter being discarded irresponsibly.”

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Environment and Waterways, Joshua Wycliffe told this to over 30 officers from various enforcement agencies while speaking at the Litter Prevention Officers Training in Suva this morning.

Wycliffe says these officers have a responsibility of creating awareness on the issue of littering.

He says 600 litter prevention officers have so far been trained throughout on the Litter Prevention Act 2008 which describes the penalties for littering for various offences and it includes littering from the vehicle and abandoning dangerous litter.

Wycliffe says although its more than 10 years since the enforcement of the Litter Act 2008, its effective implementation will always be a challenge as it requires commitment.

He says this Act will  be enforced by a number of authorized litter prevention officers who are  Public Health Officers, Police and Land Transport Authority officers.

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