Most lucrative contest!
Entries for the Domo Vou Talei Competition, which has been rated so far as the most lucrative song competition that has been set up in Fiji, closed on Tuesday. Yesterday, judges were given the ominous task of deciding the 10 finalists from the 100-plus entries received since the launch of the competition on May 24. $8000 is up for grabs and an opportunity for music lovers to showcase their talent. Once the eliminations are done, ten finalists will get a chance to perform their original song at the Uprising Music Festival on July 9. This is going to be a huge break in their lives as they’ll get the live opportunity to express their creativity. On the other hand, just like the lucrative Domo Vou Talei competition, this week’s Kaila! newspaper contained interesting stories and photos. From the rugby league battle to the athletics zonal meets, the Kaila! team had them in the bag. The Kaila newspaper has become lucrative for both the young and old generation in terms of reading literature. Good on you, Sophie and Harold! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu Excitement and star If there is local talent to be showcased, then one looks forward with excitement to the announcement of 10 finalists in the Domo Vou Talei contest. Could one of the 10 be an upcoming super star? Could one of those who fall short become a regional and international star? Like they say, it all begins with a dream or vision. Meanwhile with the current flu going around it won’t be easy for some of us to sing with a hoarse voice. Looking forward to the finals of the Domo Vou Contest and who knows, we may hear the voice of an angel. Floyd Robinson Toorak, Suva
Political move
I find it intriguing that so many childish and unsubstantiated criticisms of the Hon Biman Prasad appear in these columns. In one of the more fabulous accusations by a Mr Hazelman from Savusavu, he opines that Professor Prasad’s involvement with Rabuka is nothing but a “political move”. I believe that since joining politics, the Hon Prof Prasad has sacrificed over $250,000 (more than some ministers) in salaries and benefits as Dean of the (then) Faculty of Business and Economics at USP. If that is not a show of how much this man is willing to sacrifice for the greater good, I don’t know what is. I believe a lot of people on the other side have gotten a pay-rise instead of a pay-cut since joining politics. A man who has clawed his way up from the rural rice fields of Vanua Levu to the apex of academia in a professorship deserves nothing but our admiration and support. I believe that the vision of togetherness, unity and hope that an NFP and PA coalition will bring come next election is exactly what Fiji needs. Apenisa Yabakitini Vatuniveivuke Cunningham, Suva
‘Good government’
World Bank Representative (SPLM) with Fiji A-G planting a tree for the Jobs Nature 2.0 Project (FT 14/6) will generate income and contribute towards mitigating climate risk will be great relief to many Fijians struggling for jobs to earn a living. This will be an asset for the nation towards economic growth and alleviating poverty. “Good government is one of the most important factors in economic growth and social wellbeing.” Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Moving stronger
Thank you the Viti Times the oldest newspaper in Fiji and perhaps the Pacific transforming lives since 1869 and moving stronger day by day. There is no room for complacency and the strong currents is navigating the pioneer newspaper to greater heights. Joka dina na paper oh Viti Times, na nomu, na noda, kei na noqu paper, Viti kei na vuravura. Sa yawa dina! Kon roki koi roko. Shalwyn Prasad Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva
Role of VAR
I believe the role of VAR has become extremely decisive in football. The recent football world cup qualifier between New Zealand and Costa Rica confirms that human judgment cannot be always relied upon. The referee of the match had to consult VAR for the goal scored by the All Whites and likewise ruling regarding the red card. Imagine, if these two decisions were otherwise! How would it have affected the final outcome? While it may be an expensive affair to have this done, at some point in time we do need to implement this, perhaps it’s time that we rethink about this. Pranil Ram Votualevu, Nadi
Power outages
My sincere thanks to Edward Kumar, Lautoka — The Fiji Times, June 16, 2022. Thank you for taking the courage and adding your voice to many EFL outage complaints shared in these The Fiji Times editorial columns. I concur with you. Many EFL consumers on Viti Levu are totally fed up of sudden power outages. I believe there is no compensation for damages to all electrical appliances caused by consistent power outages. There can be no redress, in my view. Or am I wrong? EFL’s monopoly as energy provider does not help at all. Can Fiji afford an alternate supplier of power? That’s the multimillion dollar question. The then Fiji Electricity Authority under line minister, the late David Pickering and the late Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara had the vision and began the construction of Monasavu Dam in 1978. It was completed and officially launched in 1983 at the then staggering investment of $US234 million ($F521 million). (I will stand corrected, in the event, I err). Loan repayment costs soared during the man-made political upheavels in 1987 following the devaluation of the Fiji dollar. Fiji’s economy was badly hit by a massive 33 per cent devaluation of the Fiji dollar. (Personally, I suffered a hefty 40 per cent pay cut. It hurt, big time). Monasavu hydro-electricity dam has recently not been able to meet Viti Levu’s total annual power needs after almost 39 years. Many commercial consumers are today forced to have their very own alternate back-up generators. Monasavu hydro-electricity cannot meet today’s consumer demands. Again, I will stand corrected. I share my thoughts as a retired 70-year-old layman. Any monopoly has its serious downside. Consumers have no choice. Monopolies can lead to complacency. Competition is always healthy, in my view. Many consumers have expressed their annoyance, anger and frustration each time EFL defaults service through their sudden power outages. This is nothing new. EFL chief executive officer Hasmukh Patel has been reminded, very clearly, time-and-time again. Apologies issued, in my view, are just not good enough. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Transparent government
I believe Fiji needs a transparent government. Dan Urai Lautoka
Planting vegetables
Some people say they don’t have a back yard to plant. Delivering groceries and seeds in rural areas we see some who have almost no back yard garden, but still they been planting vegetables for their own consumption. Then we come to one place where the family had no back yard, but they had collected empty bottles, empty cardboard packets and brought soil and filled those things and have planted vegetables. These are the people who are survivors. Navneet Ram Lautoka
Carbon emissions
They said the use of electric buses for the Nasinu Bus Shuttle operation will aid Fiji’s climate targets to reduce carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. Aren’t we still heavily dependent on petroleum-powered generators that emit harmful pollutants for electricity? Maybe these generators have zero emissions because they are powered by the Government’s hopes and dreams of achieving that 30 per cent target. Oilei Navua! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Midnight din
What’s with the midnight roadworks in the middle of a residential area? In the middle of the city too. A wannabe HRH visits and wallah. When the road rollers do its rounds. If you are in bed, at an angle; oh jee Unkol. In the middle of the night? You might ask. Well, if you can’t sleep because of the din; what is one to do? Manoj Lal Patel Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Do you think
Do you think the Prime Minister would ever be able to get in touch with the Minister for Agriculture? Do you think the Attorney-General would ever be able to get in touch with the Minister for Women? Respectively, you have the prerequisites. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
