29 Apr 2022

Chinese company fined for environmental damages in Fiji

From , 6:02 am on 29 April 2022

A controversial Chinese resort development company has been fined $FJD1 million for damage to the environment.

Freesoul Ltd was convicted last year for destroying coastal mangroves and dredging a channel through coral reefs on Malolo Island in the country's Mamanuca Group.

The company was convicted last year for breaching two counts of Fiji's environmental management act.

But just getting them to court was a whole ordeal in itself for local landowners and residents with initial complaints falling on deaf ears.

Joining me is our Fiji correspondent Lice Movono.

Malolo Island is the largest of the Mamanuca Group off Fiji's west coast.

Malolo Island is the largest of the Mamanuca Group off Fiji's west coast. Photo: Supplied