Arson has been identified as the cause of fires at the Vunato Landfill and police have been informed.
Lautoka City Council chief executive Mohammed Anees Khan said this in response to claims by some residents that the annual occurrence of fire at the dump site had been intentional to reduce the volume of waste.
“LCC wishes to state that the council has never used fire to clear out the piles of rubbish, but instead uses an open aerobic and evaporation/decomposition method for the management of the landfill site,” Mr Khan said.
“It is rather unfortunate that inconsiderate behaviour of some individuals are causing discomfort and health hazard to the residents.
He said it frustrates the council and its workers who had to leave their usual jobs to fight the fire and clear the smoke. “Council advises residents to keep their homes well ventilated as the smoke cover shifts with the change in wind direction.”
Mr Khan said several optional sites were being explored at the moment to move the dump site as the Vunato facility was reaching its capacity.
He said that once a selection was done, a way forward would be communicated to relevant stakeholders.
In order to reduce the rubbish load coming into the Vunato dump, Mr Khan said the council continued to promote the separation of garbage at source.
