Keep it clean
Keep Fiji clean and beautiful! This is just a cliche for the Nasinu municipality.
The town council is behind schedule in its removal of green and white goods waste.
Despite reminders and follow-ups, relevant personnel affiliated to the Nasinu Town Council neither take any action nor communicate to provide update or give feedback.
More importantly, the municipality also has many highly educated residents who will dump their rubbish at the “no dumping” sign post.
The piles of waste accumulate and grow.
As the load increases so does the impact on the environment, the drainage and also, risks the health and safety of humans and animals alike.
May be it is time for the Government to introduce a week-long awareness in schools by incorporating littering and environmental laws into the curriculum, give projects, create posters and host carnivals to show the children and adults the effects of decluttering own home but making Fiji not so beautiful. S A L SINGH, NASINU.
Not the end of the world
The US Defense Secretary will be coming to town next week with his full entourage. It will be a circus and Martintar and Namaka will be most affected.
I suggest to Ronnie Chang of Martintar to stock up on his nappies and kava because there will be a whole heap of heartache for him with the road closures and diversions while the circus is in town.
Planning and preparation are the best ways to tackle these one-off things.
I am trying to pre-empt this just so that we do not hear another excuse for Ronnie to complain. It will not be the end of the world. JAN NISSAR, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.
Coup truth
Sukha, apparently the coups were executed to safeguard the so-called “indigenous cause” and to ensure native Fijians lead a prosperous future.
Well, at least that’s what most of the coup leaders had revealed during their post-coup interviews (FT 14/11).
Evidently, their undemocratic and violent strategy of toppling constitutionally elected leaders did not yield any productive outcomes but have further herded their own people into acute poverty and financial catastrophe.
The formation of the Great Council of Chiefs some 100 years ago, again to guarantee iTaukei supremacy, has not been of much help either, I believe.
Look around you, the poverty stats speak for themselves while the country still sluggishly recovers from the post-coup economic limp. NISHANT SINGH, LAUTOKA.
Mock exercise
The Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji and Airports Fiji Ltd have been proactive every year in holding an emergency exercise in case of a plane crash at the Nadi International Airport.
But God willing, a crash don’t happen, but may I ask if CAAF and AFL do have a holding hospital to cater for the victims?
Our Coalition Government should build a state-of-the-art emergency hospital with a 500-bed special facilities at one of those empty AFL unused land lots in Namaka.
Don’t wait for a crash to happen so let’s start now as it is 54 years after independence. TUKAI LAGONILAKEBA, NADI.
Nadi road
With Nadi Town reverting to two-way traffic, is it remotely possible to have police pointsmen-pointswomen, at the busiest intersections during peak hours to better control the huge volume of traffic?
This will help. Besides, there could be a big shortage of police manpower in both Nadi and Namaka police stations. Am I wrong?
On numerous occasions when traffic lights go red there is no pedestrian or traffic movement. Controlling traffic officers could override all confusion.
Nadi has far too many vehicles and fewer roads to handle excessive traffic.
Nadi Town is congested. No room for any expansion. Bad or poor design from years ago.
A bypass road from Moala towards Narewa onto Denarau bypass will help alleviate unnecessary traffic going into town. Additionally, my learned friend suggests Northern Press Rd be directly linked to Nadi Back Rd, too. (Just a thought to alleviate traffic chaos). RONNIE CHANG, MARTINTAR, NADI.
Time for action
The Minister for Health’s refusal to face the president of the Fiji Medical Association on a live show is a slap in the face of every Fijian. This blatant avoidance of accountability speaks volumes about the government’s disregard for the dire state of our healthcare system.
While the minister hides behind closed doors, the president of the Fiji Medical Association bravely stands as a beacon of truth, shining a light on the crumbling infrastructure, inadequate resources, and systemic failures plaguing our hospitals. Their words, echoing the concerns of countless medical professionals, ring with urgency: we need solutions, we need infrastructure, we need processes — and we needed them “yesterday”.
The good doctor’s plea is a stark reminder that the health of our nation is not a political football to be kicked around. It is a fundamental right, a cornerstone of our collective well-being. The government’s inaction is a betrayal of that right, a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the people.
This government has had its chance. They have had years to address the systemic issues plaguing our healthcare system.
Their empty promises and hollow rhetoric have brought us to this point — a point where our health is compromised, our medical professionals are demoralised, and our faith in the government is shaken.
We, the people of Fiji, are tired of being ignored. We are tired of empty promises. We are tired of a government that prioritises political maneuvering over the health and well-being of its citizens.
The time for talk is over. The time for action is now. If this government fails to deliver the solutions, the infrastructure, the processes our healthcare system desperately needs, we, the people, will act. We will act in 2026, at the ballot box, and we will hold them accountable for their negligence. The health of our nation is at stake, and we will not stand idly by while it crumbles. DANIEL LAWS , RAMAN LANE, KASHMIR, LAUTOKA.
Dying young
As a general observation, when the young pass away, they are heaped with praises. Just the thought of what people think maybe, thinking about ageing youngsters like myself gives me goosebumps. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF ,NATABUA, LAUTOKA.
His ability
Looking fragile, in long pants and a walking stick, I wonder if he has the ability to withstand attending the guard of honour and those prolonged official events that he has to attend? AREKI DAWAI, SUVA
Supermarket power
The major supermarket at Martintar, Nadi, flexed its muscles recently and banished the small veggie stall outside its shop.
This stall used to sell a variety of fruits and vegetables in small quantities where I generally bought my supplies of cabbage, cucumber and lettuce.
It seems this supermarket wanted to provide the same in-store.
Sadly I am disappointed as the variety is irregular and is not the same as the outside vendor.
So am unable to stock up my weekly needs.
Shame on you big business as you can’t emulate the small guys! NORMAN YEE, MARTINTAR, NADI.
New voice
A hearty congratulations to our new President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.
I was moved by his address at the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC), where he urged the chiefs to pursue education. He believes that when chiefs are educated, the entire community or village benefits. Another important concern he voiced, which some may agree with, is that at times our iTaukei brothers and sisters are burdened with large soli or contributions. Be assured, the change is coming. RODNEY CLARENCE RAJ, NALEBA, LABASA.
Rice revival
The MOA to enhance local rice farming (FT5/11) will hopefully boost the rice industry economically for Fiji.
Rice is the traditional staple food for Fijians and there is always a need to include this on the food table.
Let’s hope rice farming will also be a relief to many of our youths to get into job markets to earn a decent living utilising land with modern tools and technologies.
Revive rice at all cost. TAHIR ALI, HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND.
Boxers’ insurance
Could the Fiji Boxing Commissioner let us know if boxers taking part in their boxing programs are insured against injury and death? SUKHA SINGH, LABASA.
A prayer and medical care!
I understand that there’s been some controversy recently about healing prayer as opposed to seeking medical care. In my opinion, both have a positive place in our world. But sometimes, we can be stubborn and claim that only prayer will heal us. Give you an example.
Many years ago, when my wife was suffering from a serious medical condition, we prayed like there was no tomorrow. But her condition kept worsening. She had become so very sick and weak that we thought we were going to lose her.
One day, when she was at the end of her tether, she simply prayed to the Lord, “Father, if it’s my time to come home, please take me because I can’t go on living like this!”
In her mind she heard a very gentle prompting to fast. She’d already lost a great deal of weight, energy and strength because of her medical condition. So fasting did not even remotely sound or look like an option or answer to her seriously ailing condition.
So here’s the next thing she did. She simply prayed another prayer. This time she said, “Lord, if I’ve heard correctly, and you want me to fast, tell someone who doesn’t even know about our conversation and I’ll go ahead and do it!”
An hour later she received a phone call. It was from a friend in New Zealand. The friend said, look I’m reading a book about fasting and I can’t for the life of me know why I’m being seriously prompted to ring you and tell you about this book!”
As you can imagine, the rest is history. My wife followed the path, fasted for 21 days and her condition began to change. Our very close friend and doctor who was monitoring her throughout her entire medical journey was so blown away by the revelation that he did an alternative medicine course. And yes, he’s also a very faithful believer.
Today my wife is well and on zero medications.
So here’s the deal. God makes doctors, medical professionals and hospitals too. Our doctor is not only one of our closest and dearest friends but someone who we trust with seeking guidance about our health and wellbeing. And we value his treasured insights and input into our lives because God has chosen to place him in our lives. Sometimes as believers, we can stubbornly ignore a different path that God might be directing our steps onto. If anything, we need to become a good listener for the prompting of the Holy Spirit and get confirmation before moving forward. He is the best guide, counsellor and comforter. And when we begin listening to Him, our whole world will change dramatically, and for the better.
Please remember that God places certain individuals in our lives to bless us in our journey of life. Honour them and honour God for the gift. May you continue seeking the voice of the Almighty counsellor and comforter who will show you and guide you in the way you should go. COLIN DEOKI, AUSTRALIA.
Top notch effort!
Monday morning went into rugby books’ glorious chapter as a Tier 2 nation took on a Tier 1 nation in front of a jam-packed Principality Stadium and came out victorious. The closest Fiji came to defeating Wales after the 38-34 victory in 2007 during pool play was the 16-all draw in 2010 in Cardiff.
After that all our trips to Cardiff ended in losses (17-13 in 2014 and 38-23 in 2021). The last battle between the sides took place in Bordeaux (France) and it went in the way of the Dragons 32-26. Failure to beat Fiji meant that Wales lost a record-equalling 10th straight rugby Test, but Fiji made a massive statement after the 57-17 thrashing to Scotland at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield. I admired the way Fiji overcame the 14-3 deficit to win the battle. I salute Caleb Muntz, who was the man-of-the-match, for delivering a phenomenal and sensational performance. Josua Tuisova was rock-solid, and his try showed the Fijian beast in him. I give credit to Frank Lomani for managing our kicking game brilliantly. Elia Canakaivata was a thorn to the Dragons.
Our defence was top shot as the boys defended ferociously, something that we badly lacked against the Bravehearts. Overall, the boys played their hearts out. They played like men possessed, and with baptism of fire. The hunger to win and make amends for the earlier losses in Cardiff paid dividend. Fiji faces Spain which beat Uruguay 33-24. A win is a must! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, NADAWA, NASINU.
