Transcript
The Government shut down the work after concerns about asbestos were raised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme, or SPREP. The Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Jone Usamate, says a SPREP report found that bulk material was 30 percent asbestos, but it was not airborne, which is when it is dangerous. The Suva City Council cordoned off the area around the civic centre last week, and a number of businesses were closed on Friday. But the opposition Sodelpa party says the government knew of the risks weeks ago, but only acted on Thursday. Its general secretary, Litia Qionibaravi says the government should have been more vigilant.
"For the two ministries, the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Local Goverment, they start to explain to the people of Fiji about why warnings were not put out."
Ms Qionibaravi says many people move about in the vicinity of the building, but were still unaware of the risks.
"Our youth gave out masks to people around the Ratu Sukuna Park and people around the Suva bus station so that people who had not heard have become aware of the risks."
The Chief Executive of the Citizens' Constitutional Forum, Bulutani Mataitawakila, agrees the response was far too slow.
"The slow response from relevant authorities regarding discovery of asbestos we feel should not be taken lightly. The public should not be misled because the danger and threat caused by asbestos is as bad as a tsunami or a category 5 cyclone."
He says people were still moving around the area oblivious to the danger of the asbestos and more needs to be done to raise awareness.
"Anything that is a threat to the public life should be treated seriously and we should look at the governance issues surrounding how the matter should be worked across the lives of the people is very important and that is the right to know how harmful asbestos [are] is."
However, Jone Usamate says the public should not panic and that the situation was being monitored. He says consultants have been hired to undertake air sampling and surrounding buildings will be washed.
