A MUNICIPAL council is serious about dealing with litter and illegal dumping within the municipality.
The Nasinu Town Council says this is evident in the $1360 collected until September this year in litter fines alone.
Special administrator Mosese Kama said three ratepayers were convicted and fined for littering by the Nasinu Magistrates Court for refusing to pay their on-the-spot fines of $40 after the expiry of a 21-day notification period.
Mr Kama said last month, the council collected $400 from 11 ratepayers who managed to pay their fines.
He said about 34 ratepayers were fined by the council, with their fines amounting to $1360 up to September.
On the question of tackling the issue, he said the council was working hand in hand with its litter prevention officers who formed part of the council's Environmental Health Unit and works section.
"Similarly, the council and other providers offer plenty of opportunities to dispose of rubbish properly either through kerbside and regular inorganic or refuse collection," he said.
Mr Kama said it was always a financial burden to remove litter and illegally dumped rubbish on a frequent basis.
He pleaded with the ratepayers and residents of Nasinu to take pride in their town and take ownership by maintaining a neat and clean environment.