Bula
INOKE Yanuyanutawa is giving it his best shot. He’s trying to heal. The Tailevu lad, a rehab student at the Adult & Teen Challenge centre, turned to drugs as a result of what he claims were financial problems. In the blink of an eye, he was addicted and crime and prison beckoned. These days, though, he finds comfort in the centre where he’s provided a combination of spirituality and medicine as a healing balm to help addicts walk away from their obsessive dependency on drugs and return to a normal life. That’s the lead on the front page of The Fiji Times for Saturday, November 16.
# A FLOOD-PRONE building site, a cash-strapped building contractor and Fiji Roads Authority delays contributed to the failure of Fiji National University’s new Labasa Campus project four years ago, according to its former Vice-Chancellor. In a statement to The Fiji Times Professor Nigel Healey said the project was “complicated from the outset” and beset by delays, complicated by bad weather and Government running out of money after the COVID-19 pandemic. The $34 million project remains half-built. In a statement sent to The Fiji Times, FNU said that it remained “resolutely committed” to the project and hoped to complete it by 2026. It has not answered questions sent to it by this newspaper 63 days ago, including how much how money has been spent on the project so far.
We also have a wraparound over the front page, and its about the big test this weekend when the Flying Fijians take on the might of Spain.
Letters to the editor
Remember we have seven pages of letters to the editor inside. Feel the pulse of the nation. Find out what people are talking about!
Synopsis
On this day last year, a Nadi man died instantly at Lomolomo, between Nadi and Lautoka when the vehicle he was driving collided with a bus carrying 20 passengers at around midday.
Firefighters struggled to dismantle the wreckage to get to the body which was trapped under the bus.
After 45 minutes, they finally managed to retrieve the body before it was loaded in a body bag and taken to the Lautoka Hospital.
Eyewitnesses who live along the Lomolomo stretch described the accident as scary.
In the wake of an accident at Vitogo, just outside Lautoka City this week, we again raise the issue of road safety. We may sound like a record on replay mode, but it is imperative that people encouraged to be vigilant and to be appreciative of road safety.
We raise the issue of awareness, and of being mindful of safety when driving or travelling on our roads.
We raise the issue of road works, including road markings, and fixing potholes.
The police need us to play our part in ensuring proper usage of our roads.
That means ensuring we service our vehicle on time, checking that our vehicle tyres are in good condition, and planning our journey. It means having enough rest before we go on long journeys, and pulling over to take time out if we feel sleepy along the way.
It means the powers that be are encouraged to address challenges like potholes, road markings and ensuring there are signs on our roads that clearly spell out what drivers need to be aware of, from speed limits, pedestrian crossings, villages, public schools, to rest stops for instance.
We talk a lot about road safety. We do so much talking, you’d expect everyone to be switched on. Unfortunately, that does not happen.
People are still taking a lot of things for granted. Many are still flirting with danger and death. Many probably feel they are invincible and nothing can happen to them, so they test the boundaries on the roads.
And while we are it, the powers that be also have a responsibility to ensure our roads are safe, and every effort has been made to ensure standards meet expectations.
So, again, we urge drivers, and other road users to be mindful of how they use our roads.
Stop sending text messages while you are driving, if you are doing that. Don’t be distracted by the mobile phone.
Plan your journey, and plan to arrive on time, alive!
As we remember last year’s tragic accident and reflect on the recent incident in Vitogo, let us renew our commitment to road safety. Be aware, be responsible, and be safe. We all have a responsibility to make it home alive.
