The Minister for Local Government and Urban Development, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum handed out 13,000 free garbage bins to the ratepayers of Nasinu Town Council yesterday.
The garbage bins were funded through the assistance of the Ministry.
When Fijivillage questioned Sayed-Khaiyum on the timing of the free distribution of bins as elections is two weeks away, he said this is not to ask for people’s favour but it was planned earlier this year.
He stressed that the application process for this was carried out in January.
While speaking to about 4,000 people who came to collect their bins, Sayed Khaiyum highlighted that these bins are being given out under a very transparent process.
He said the Ministry has a challenge fund, where various municipalities could actually ask for funds to carry out various projects.
For the first time this year all the municipal councils were told to put an application and say why they need that money and how they will spend it.
He said the Nasinu Town Council applied for these rubbish bins which was approved by the Ministry.
He added this is not only to get rid of the diseases and create a healthy environment but it is also important for people’s dignity.
The cost of these 13,196 garbage bins is $280,312.
Nasinu has a population of about 87,000.
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