Fiji: A Questionable Development

Fiji: A Questionable Development

Editor,

My friend Dr Warden Narsey's watchful eyes have picked up some development work taking place in Nasese which he contends requires public explanation from local and state authorities.(Fiji Sun 13/8).

Warden alerts us that " there is a real danger that the current massive reclamation of the dogo area now taking place to facilitate new residential development may worsen the{flooding] problem considerably"

He wants to know if " a proper Environmental Impact Study" has been done to factor in the ramifications of this development on the environment and the people living there.

My own understanding of the nature of capitalist development is that " a real danger" has not stopped vested capitalist interests from going ahead with such developments as the one being highlighted by Warden. I am sure there are other similar developments taking place in the current environment in Fiji.

The main motivation and "logic" for such development is the maximization of profit for the developers and their partners.

Little if any real cognizance is taken of the environmental impact issues Warden raises despite so many State officials going to so many environment and sustainable development summits around the globe.

Instead there is a tendency by the authorities to see people who raise such issues as a nuisance and hindrance.

Crony capitalism has little time for such people.

But such people are indespensable for the protection of the common good in society.
sincerely,

Rajend Naidu
Sydney

ENDS

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