Clinker transport causes pollution in Fiji

Pacific Cement Ltd (PCL) has been accused of clinker dust pollution by local residents in the settlement of Kalekana, in Fiji. Clinker is transported daily by truck to its factory and conditions are becoming intolerable for local residents outside Lami.

General manager of Pacific Cement Ltd, Sowani Tuidrola confirmed the clinker belonged to PCL, but the transportation of the product was the responsibility of Williams & Gosling Ltd, which itself is contracted by MY Transport Co Ltd.

Aiyub Mohammed, MY Transport's CEO, said: "I have been doing this for the last 35 years, and PCL needs to fix its roads. We cover the clinker properly, because if we don't, the Land Transport Authority will book us. We follow all the rules in transporting clinker.

"About 30 to 40 trucks transport clinker and they drive at 30 to 40 miles per hour to ensure clinker does not fly out," he added.

Environment Minister Parveen Kumartold the Fuji Times that the department had yet to receive any formal complaint from the affected residents.