Nakasi abattoir relocation restricted

Residents living near the Fiji Meat Abattoir in Nakasi may face a prolonged wait for the facility's relocation, as the process is currently restricted. For years, the community has voiced concerns over persistent, unpleasant odors emanating from the abattoir, which is situated in a densely populated area that also includes primary and secondary schools.

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They have been raising a lot of concern, the bad smell which is coming out of the abattoir. And then in that area, we also have primary school and secondary school, and that area is a very heavily populated area.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts recently questioned the Fiji Meat Industry's leadership regarding their relocation plans. Committee member Hem Chand highlighted the community's ongoing complaints about the smell, emphasizing the proximity to educational institutions and residential areas. The situation has created a significant nuisance for the public.

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FMIB premises was actually visited by the Honorable Minister for Public Enterprise, who has actually put restrictions to relocate, for the company to relocate.

Fiji Meat Industry Chief Executive Apenisa Rokodaru confirmed that the Minister for Public Enterprise has placed restrictions on the abattoir's relocation. However, Rokodaru stated that the company has been instructed to take immediate measures to mitigate the odor problem. Efforts are underway to develop mechanisms aimed at reducing the smell, particularly from the rendering plant, which is identified as the primary source of the public nuisance, in compliance with the minister's directive.

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We are coming up with mechanisms to be able to reduce the odour so that we oblige with instruction from the Honorable Minister and also be able to remove the odour and especially from the rendering plan that is creating that nuisance to the public.