Fijian authorities are keeping a tab on scrap metal buying companies, paying visitations, as authorities seek to clamp down on the theft of cables and metals belonging to Fiji’s infrastructure entities.
Scrap metal buying companies have been warned against buying public infrastructure cables and metals from unauthorised parties and reminded of hefty fines associated with such dealings.
A taskforce has been formed consisting of officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Trade, Republic of Fiji Military Forces, and Police who are working with Telecom Fiji Limited, Water Authority of Fiji, and Energy Fiji Limited to address the issue.
Members of the public are reminded as well that under the Scrap Metal Trade Act Section 5 (1) that it is an offence for any person or body who trades or attempts to trade or solicits another person to trade any public infrastructure without the approval of the Licensing Authority. Convicted persons face a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both, and in the case of a company, a fine not exceeding $100,000.
Photo: Fiji Police
