Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka is yet to say anything relating to the comments made to The Australian by Diala-Dump founder Ian Malouf who is spearheading The Next Generation Fiji's proposed waste to energy project earmarked for the Vuda-Saweni Bay corridor.
Malouf is quoted as saying that his proposed Vuda waste to energy proposal had the backing of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and his cabinet, and that "just a few selfish people don't want it in their backyard".
He says Fiji burns 200 million litres of diesel each year and with the war going on, the price is increasing.
Malouf says this is 80MW of baseload power solving Fiji's waste problem at the same time.
The report says the Australian billionaire behind a failed bid to build a waste-to-energy plant in Western Sydney has set his sights on Fiji, with the proposal to build a $900 million incinerator – fuelled in part by rubbish from Australia and neighbouring island nations – in Vuda which is one of the country's most prized coastlines.
We have asked Rabuka what are his comments on what Malouf has said, what are his comments on the people opposing the proposed project, and what is his assurance to the people who may draw conclusions that the government has already agreed to the project which is still in the consultation stages.
Malouf says the project would operate to EU standards, save $160 million annually in imported diesel, reduce greenhouse emissions by 84 per cent, and solve its growing waste problem.
The 80MW generating plant would be built alongside a new deep water port at Naikorokoro Point, an area popular with tourists and yachties and surrounded by mangrove systems.
Opponents of the plan say they are fighting an uphill battle to prevent it from going ahead given the wealth and influence of the businessmen behind it, including Rob Cromb – whose mother is Fijian and the founder of the Kookai fashion label.
Cromb is expected to speak to us later.
