Hullo.
In The Fiji Times edition of Monday, February 22, 2021, you will read about the street value of the marijuana plants that were uprooted in Kadavu last year.
Police have been conducting drug raids in Kadavu and this year alone a Fiji Police Force report revealed that 17,742 plants with a street value of $28,679,682 were uprooted in wave one and wave two of police operations on the island between last month and to date.
But for last year the street value of the drugs that were seized in Kadavu was in the millions.
That and more interesting stories but here’s your briefing of what to expect in The Fiji Times today, Monday, February 22, 2021:
Fiji increasingly vulnerable to climate change
Fiji is becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate change-related migration and disaster displacement. This was highlighted in Fiji’s migration profile, which revealed that such movements were because of Fiji’s geographical characteristics, vulnerability to natural disasters, patterns of settlements in coastal areas, floodplains and economic reliance on climate-sensitive industries such as tourism and agriculture.
Indiscipline not tolerated by Education Ministry
Minister for Education Rosy Akbar has sent a strong message to school students that any form of indiscipline would not be tolerated by the ministry. This comes after a video shared on social media caught an alleged brawl between students from a school in Nadi. In a statement, Ms Akbar called on parents and citizens to play a more active role in preventing such behaviour.
Dream of becoming a doctor shattered
Shania Shivani Prasad set a record at Vunimoli Islamia College, Labasa, by scoring 380 marks in the Year 13 examination. However, her joy was short-lived because her dream to become a doctor was shattered. The 18-year-old said it was heartbreaking that she could not pursue MBBS studies because of Government’s decision to suspend medical scholarships.
Govt to justify about MBBS scholarships – Biman
Government has to clearly justify why they are shutting out scholarships and loans for MBBS under the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board (TSLB), says National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad. “It is regrettable, regressive and certainly not a good time as a lot of students are coming out of Year 13 with good marks who are trying to get into programs of their choice,” he said.
USP not owned by one country but 12
The University of the South Pacific is not solely owned by one country but 12 countries whose interest it needs to serve well says Chancellor Lionel Aingimea. Responding to questions from this newspaper, Mr said it was called the University of the South Pacific because it was inclusive. “It is not a university of any particular country,” said Mr Aingimea.
Tavea islanders breath sigh of relief
Parents of Tavea Island who were worried about their boarding children’s food breathed a sigh of relief as cartons and sacks of food rations were delivered to the school. Tavea Village headman Josevata Veibete said they were told to bring their children to school last week. “We were worried about their food, water and electricity while in the hostel,” he said.
Assessment to be carried out for suitable relocation sites
A risk assessment will be carried out first on suitable relocation sites for villagers of Nabavatu in Dreketi, Macuata. Minister for Maritime and Rural Development Inia Seruiratu said this was imperative to prevent any further relocation in the future. This, he said, meant that they needed to choose a site that would not be easily affected by flooding or impacts of climate change.
Love knows no bounds
Love certainly knows no bounds even in the midst of a natural disaster that has forced a speech and hearing impaired couple to relocate among 300 villagers. For 68-year-old Sami Veleko who married his Sawani, Naitasiri sweetheart five years ago and had two children, living in a dilemma as a result of natural disaster, matters no more
Ministry probe death of newborn baby
Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong says they are looking into the circumstances which led to the death of newborn baby at the Lautoka Hospital last month. Farnaz Ali said her first baby died on Wednesday January 27 despite there being no complications during her pregnancy. She also said she wanted answers from medical authorities about her partial denture broke into two pieces after she regained consciousness post delivery.
Daycare to assist toddlers prepare for kindergarten
In a bid to help toddlers prepare for kindergarten, Renu Snowsill established Make A Difference-Fiji Daycare at the Pacific Harbour Golf Club house. She said they were looking at registering around 25 students between the ages of two and four years at the centre. “We have got a dedicated teacher who would teach kids about behavior, how to write, how to interact with other kids and also teach them about art and craft as well.” she said.
Malolo district villages to benefit from FAO grant
Four villages in the district of Malolo in the Mamanuca Group are expected to benefit from a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) grant. According to FAO, the financial boost was made possible through an agreement signed between the organisation, the Ministry of Forestry and two non-profit organisations, the Mamanuca Environment Society and Vinaka Fiji.
Duo remanded for aggravated burglary
Two men who broke into the MaxVal-U Nakasi supermarket to steal cigarettes and bottles of rum have been further remanded by the High Court in Suva. Napolioni Tavu and Mohammed Mufiz appeared before judge Justice Rangajeeva Wimalasena. The duo are jointly charged with a count each of aggravated burglary and theft and it was alleged they committed the offence in September 2019.
Cake shop lose most items in alleged robbery
Thieves allegedly broke into a cake shop in Lautoka last week during curfew hours and made off with thousands of dollars worth of items, including security footage. Soma’s Cakes owner Soma Vilashni said the store lost most of their items during the alleged robbery.
iTaukei land secure: Nata
iTaukei land is 100 per cent secure in Fiji, says ITaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) deputy general manager Operations, Research and Development, Solomoni Nata. While speaking at the Third National Real Estate Conference 2021 at the Warwick Fiji on the Coral Coast yesterday, Mr Nata highlighted the importance of the security of land and said the TLTB managed about 91 per cent of land in the country.
POINT OF ORIGIN – Navosa Central College
THE sacrifices of several men from the Vanua of Noikoro, Navatusila, Magodro, Nasikawa, Namataku, Nabuavatu,Vusu and Davutukia in the old Colo West Province of Navosa resulted in the establishment of Navosa Central College in 1976.
IN SPORTS:
Rodan supports 7s development
Joe Rodan Sr said giving back to the community has been the sole purpose of their support of local 7s tournament.This weekend Paradise Beverage’s general manager of sales and corporate affairs said they were looking forward to support the Nawaka 7s for which they have done for the past 35 years.
Teams head for Nawaka 7s
All the top teams from the Fiji Rugby Union Super Sevens Series will participate in the 34th Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s in Nadi this weekend. The tournament will also feature the Fiji 7s men’s training squad which will be split up into two teams, Fiji Warriors and Fiji Barbarians. Nawaka Rugby Club executive Jeff Tamata said the tournament was building up to be the biggest in the country.
Fuli continues Fijiana build up
THE Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s at Prince Charles Park in Nadi this week will be another build-up for the Fijiana 7s team.The national women’s training squad has been divided into two teams, Mount Masada and Mount Carmel in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics. The two teams have been playing against the Fijiana XVs training squad 7s Mount Fuji and Mount Olympus in the Fiji Rugby Union Super Sevens Series.
Race for wild cards starts
TWO wild card teams will be added to the Fiji Rugby Union Super Sevens Series third leg in Savusavu from March 19-20.This is part of the series rules and regulations with the two bottom placed teams being axed following each tournament. FRU operations manager and tournament director Sale Sorovaki said this would give the wild card teams from the host region a chance showcase their talents. Sorovaki said Bukuya and Dominion Brothers were automatically dropped following the second leg in Nadi last weekend
Titans eye league success
The Samabula-based Lovoni Titans rugby league team is confident of another good season playing in Fiji National Rugby League competition this year. Club official Walusio Vunivalu said training had started a few weeks ago and their target this season was to go one better than their finish in 2020.
Raiwaqa basketball revival
Fiji’s home of basketball, Raiwaqa, is seeing a revival with the resumption of the Raiwaqa Inter-lane Basketball Championship which began last week. Launching the tournament at the Edward Hattauer Court during the weekend was the permanent secretary for Youth and Sports, Rovereto Nayacalevu. He told the players and supporters that basketball was a sport for the future in Fiji. “The Raiwaqa Basketball Players Association organised an inter-lane basketball tournament followed by the inter-lane championship. This is sure to be a thrilling and hard fought affair,” Nayacalevu said.
Pillay Champion vs Champion – Labasa defeats Suva, 2-1
Labasa captain Akuila Mateisuva has dedicated their 2020 Pillay Champion vs Champion 2-1 win over Suva to the brave people of Vanualevu who were affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa and Ana. After a hectic last few months Mateisuva said it was a much needed win.
