3 Feb 2005

Tonga wants Singapore-style litter laws

4:20 pm on 3 February 2005

The Director of Environment in Tonga says he hopes parliament will pass legislation soon which will heavily penalise people who do not dispose of rubbish properly.

Uilou Samani says litter is the biggest environmental problem in the kingdom.

Mr Samani says he will send the proposal to cabinet this month for policy direction.

He says peoples attitudes need to change and it is hoped the heavy penalties that are being proposed will help do that.

"We're talking about thousands of dollars penalty on the spot. We based it on the Singapore model, we had to seek advice from Singapore, but of course making it more relevant to our situation here."

The Director of Environment in Tonga, Uilou Samani.