45 Companies Given Compliance Notices

Environment permanent secretary, Joshua Wycliffe.

Fourty-five companies including diving companies were given non-compliance notices by the Ministry of Environment and Waterways.

These companies were operating from the Laucala Industrial area.

A recent inspection to the area led to the issuance of these notices.

Permanent secretary, Joshua Wycliffe, said it was shocking to note that some of the companies have either been reluctant or have refused to apply for a permit when they have been made aware of their breach.

"The offence is common across most segments - which includes chicken harvesting and holding facilities, diving and hull cleaning companies, garage companies, paint and plastic manufacturers, and air conditioning companies to name a few," he said.

Mr Wycliffe said the range of offenses included obstructing officers from carrying out their duties, non-possession of waste disposal and waste recycling permits, refusal to apply for one and dumping of wastes illegitimately.

Environment Management Act

According to the Environment Management Act 2005, failure to apply for a waste disposal and waste recycling permit by the date for compliance is an offence for which the penalty is a fine of up to $100,000.

Operating a facility without the necessary permit carries a maximum penalty of $250,000 and imprisonment for three years for a first offence.

For a second or subsequent offence, the maximum penalty is $750,000 and 10 years imprisonment and where the facility is a body corporate, the maximum fine is increased fivefold.

Fiji Sun is working to get comments from all the companies which were issued the notices. More de-tails and names will be released in tomorrow's news.

QUESTION 1

(a)Discuss your understanding of Business Ethics.

(b)Are the 45 companies showing good Business Ethics? Elaborate.

QUESTION 2

(a)It has been noticed that firms do not want to apply for a permit for waste disposal. Why is this the case? Explain.

QUESTION 3

(a)Illustrate your understanding of governance.

(b)Are the 45 companies displaying good governance? Discuss.