Nadi Town traffic lights SURESH CHAND NADI THE traffic lights, including the pedestrian crossing signals in Nadi Town, have remained non-operational since the traffic layout was modified last year. While there may be reasons for deactivating the traffic signals, I find it baffling that the pedestrian crossing lights were also turned off. Pedestrian crossing lights play a critical role in ensuring safety for walkers and drivers alike. They encourage pedestrians to stick to designated crossings, minimising risks and maintaining order on the streets. The absence of functional crossing lights not only compromises safety but also fosters erratic behaviour among pedestrians, making the situation more dangerous for everyone. It is imperative that the crossing lights are reactivated without delay to restore safe passage for residents and visitors. These lights are integral to managing pedestrian flow and should remain operational, regardless of adjustments to traffic patterns. However, if there is no plan to repurpose these lights within the town, the logical course of action would be to relocate them to other towns where they could be effectively utilised. Leaving them in their current unusable state serves no purpose and reflects poor planning. Before concluding, I want to emphasise that no publicly funded investment should ever be squandered.
Cleaner battles public neglect! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU I READ Marshall Narayan’s story (FT: 22/01) with a heavy heart. Every weekday before office workers and joggers descend on Suva, Narayan is already there, clearing away the rubbish. Unfortunately, by the next morning it’s back again. That shows the lack of civic pride and patriotism in Fiji citizens. 2025 ended with news and disturbing images of littering and the new year has started with littering — stories and pictures from residential areas. It shows that a lot more effort is needed, and fines need to be enforced. Narayan, who has served the Suva City Council for 21 years and has been tasked with cleaning the park daily, shared that the never-ending clean-up had become a stark sign of a growing disregard for public spaces. This is the sad reality. We don’t value the natural environment and serenity around us. Narayan added that rubbish bins provided by SCC were not utilised and that most rubbish were left exactly where people sat to eat, rest or socialise. Sadly, people leave their rubbish and go. Narayan’s story is a lament of the declining civic responsibility. Change must come within if we are to address the ever-growing littering issue. It must start at home and with our younger generation.
Bank accounts NOLEEN BILLINGS SAVUSAVU I WISH to highlight the unnecessary difficulty faced by ordinary people when attempting to open a bank account in Fiji. In countries such as Australia, a non-citizen can walk into a bank, present a passport and a phone number, and open an account. The system is based on trust, supported by compliance checks that are triggered only when suspicious activity occurs. In Fiji, however, citizens and residents are often required to provide guarantors — such as employers, schools, or registered businesses — simply to open a basic bank account. This approach sends an unfortunate message: that everyone is presumed guilty of money laundering, drug trafficking, or other criminal activity until proven otherwise. This blanket suspicion disproportionately affects the most vulnerable. How are people who receive remittances expected to save securely? How can smallscale farmers, market vendors, or self-employed individuals open accounts when they must first find someone “approved” to guarantee their source of funds? Many legitimate earners are excluded from the formal banking system simply because they do not fit into narrow employment categories. Ironically, these barriers undermine financial inclusion, the very goal banks and regulators claim to support. There is a practical and fair alternative. Banks could require all new customers to sign a declaration confirming their expected source of funds. If transactions later fall outside those stated parameters, they can then be investigated, as is standard practice internationally. This would allow compliance obligations to be met without punishing honest people from the outset. Fiji’s citizens deserve to be treated with dignity and trust. A functional banking system should enable saving, investment, and economic participation, not create obstacles that push people further to the margins. It is time to rethink policies that assume the worst of the very people the system is meant to serve.
Hope for more rain FLOYD ROBINSON MICRONESIA OUR friends and families across the Hidden Paradise have not had the most pleasant of a new year, as they continue to experience disruptions to water supply. Fingers crossed that authorities address this in time, especially, before our children return to the classrooms. I wonder how those who love their grog are coping. Perhaps they are accessing water from the springs. For now, one hopes that rainfall in the greater Savusavu area increases because it will bring a much deserved relief for local residents and their lives can return to normal.
Bombshell effect LUKE KULANIKORO SAVUSAVU HEY readers and contributors to letters to the editor section, great news coming up. On Page 9 of “Your say” segment (FT 17/1). Mr Kotobalavu of Nadi was praising Jan Nissar’s Singapore contribution a week before. But on the same page under “Quick views” his new-found friend said otherwise! Strange bedfellows indeed! Anyways, happy New Year to you both.
Qiri kapa gang! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU TWENTY four days into the new year and with school starting next week, members of the Qiri kapa gang need to take a break and prepare for the 2026 academic year. I have been watching on social media the gang entertain people, and while I have been fascinated with their dancing and drum beating skills, it’s high time they are reminded that the new year celebrations are winding up and there are better things to focus on. I have seen that most members of the Qiri kapa gang are school students and it’s important they shift and reset their focus back to the classroom. The gang have been fantastic, as they amused many with their creativity and the ability to swing to the rhythm of the beating drums. There are many other important things to focus on and the earlier the Qiri kapa gang realise this, the better for them.
Political parties WISE MUAVONO BALAWA, LAUTOKA ANYONE else finds it disturbing that a country of less than a million people always has over five political parties in every general election? Are these parties formed to solve our socio-economic problems or formed for personal gain? Fifty five years after independence, Fiji should be moving forward by avoiding the creation of new parties and reducing political differences. Dou!
Increase in illegal parking fines CHRISTOPHER ROXBURGH RAGG ST, SIMLA, LAUTOKA I FULLY agree with the increase of illegal parking fines. However, I was booked for parking illegally when there were no yellow lines. When I asked, I was told I should know that this is an illegal parking lane. I hope you use the extra money to buy some yellow paint, thank you.
Getting it right! JAN NISSAR SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA THERE seems to be a lot of ‘aage piche’ by this government and the machinery of government in everything they do. They seem to be unable to make solid decisions. I believe this is what happens when there are incompetents in high office and places of responsibility which affects the whole country. These are also an essential characteristic of a Third World, third-rate country which is run by third rate people from the past who have no idea. Fiji is no doubt a kakistocracy – that is, a government run by the most unsuitable people. I believe all these people seem to know is that they have entitlements as people living in their own country. I believe they know nothing else and nothing else matters. If you do things right in the first place, there will be no need for twisting and turning and backflips and run-arounds.
Fair compensation! NARAYAN REDDY LAUTOKA THE heavy rain really damaged many roads in the Western Division of Fiji. Fiji Roads Authority still cannot find out the reason for new roads to have potholes so easily. For many years no one seems to know if it is the workmanship, weather, surface preparation, materials used or are our roads just cheaply built. I damaged a mag wheel of my vehicle which is beyond repair now and a replacement is not found in Fiji, by hitting a pothole which was filled with rainwater. Wheel tax and road user fees are paid by vehicle owners and now heavy fines will be imposed soon. Can the relevant departments come up with some kind of compensation for vehicle owners when vehicles are damaged by potholes, after all the vehicle owners pay so much for using the roads in Fiji.
Drug explosion KIRTI PATEL LAUTOKA I BELIEVE Fiji has reached a dangerous level of drug explosion. We cannot any longer consider this to be the tip of the ice-berg. This ice-berg has been cracking unknowingly, unaware and unnoticed till the ship came to halt with realisation, where it has reached and what has happened or has been happening all this while. We were under the impression this was being controlled. This is dangerous. What now? We just not going to sit and let the ship get completely wrecked with lives falling apart and lost. The more we want this disease called drugs eradicated, the more it rears its ugly head. Where does the evil lie? How hard is it to get to the main point of operations with this strict monitoring security system? Are we going to let our lives be played with this substance and disease called drugs. Everything as being told and done, does not seem to be the case. There sure is much more to it. That “much more” is at a dangerous level. This is a major worry. Just like accidents happen because we allow it to happen likewise this is allowed somehow somewhere with proper plans and instructions towards operations. We know our law enforcers are on their toes and we appreciate their efforts but where is the loophole?
No crocodiles MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF NATABUA, LAUTOKA SO there will be no charges. That means there are no reallife crocodiles here and the Prime Minister of this nation got it all wrong which cost us a couple of million dollars. I think he must have seen some at a costume party. Like Tik-Tok the crocodile, Wally Gator and Cheburashka and Gena the crocodile etc. Though, I believe, we have monkeys and donkeys here, but that is not a matter for the criminal justice system at all. Perhaps, the veterinary department may be interested. And the entertainment shall continue in the coming months.
Hard copy of the Times! DONALD SINGH SUVA RAKESH Chand Sharma, yes, nothing beats the feel of a hard copy of the newspaper. Even at $2 now, it still oozes that feeling from the time it cost less than a dollar. Let’s just hope the newspaper is going to stay. Funny but anyone going to buy any newspaper says he is going to buy “Fiji Times”! Laying hands on the fresh Monday copy, I read Rajend Naidu’s comment on Pacific Polytech. Rajend could be right with his opinion. I probably feel that because I read it in the real paper!
Share sale SUKHA SINGH LABASA COULD the EFL board, the executives or the Energy Minister at that time tell us what made them sell 44 per cent of EFL shares and what they did with the money?
Government assistance PITA SOROAQALI TAVUA I SAW some parents and guardians went to the Ministry of Education office seeking clarifications regarding the $200 school assistance given by the Government. I said to myself, “is this how desperate some parents and guardians are?” The government assistance is there to support whatever we are lacking and not to fully fund our children’s education. The scene at the Ministry of Education shows that we are still not prioritising education over merry making during the festive season. By today we should be covering our children’s books, ironing uniforms and preparing whatever is available while waiting for the assistance. Not the other way round. Priority over matters folks!
Food prep PECELI ALISTIR WAITOLU, NAITASIRI THE Consumer Council’s intervention regarding food preparation practices at DMC is timely and necessary, (FT 23/01). Transparency in food handling is not a minor operational detail — in a culturally and religiously diverse country like Fiji, it is fundamental to consumer trust. What is concerning is that this is not the first time a well-known foreignfounded company has attracted sustained public attention for the wrong reasons. Over the years, Fijians have seen similar controversies involving other large food operators, where issues of compliance, safety, and respect for local sensitivities only surfaced after public pressure or regulatory scrutiny. This is not about ownership, nationality, or success. Many foreign founded businesses operate responsibly and contribute positively to Fiji. The issue here is accountability. When companies grow rapidly and become household names, their responsibility to meet — and exceed — local standards also grows. The concern raised about cooking beef and non-meat items, such as fries, in the same oil is not trivial. For many Fijians, dietary choices are deeply rooted in faith, culture, and identity. Disclosure after the fact should not be the norm; transparency must be proactive, visible, and honest from day one. The Consumer Council is correct in stating that disclosure is the minimum standard. In fact, this is a case where the Council must remain actively engaged — vigilant, focused, and consistent — ensuring that promised changes are implemented and maintained. Oversight should not end with assurances; it should continue through regular monitoring and follow-up. If Fiji is to remain a place where diversity is respected, then all operators — local or foreign — must understand that doing business here means respecting the values of the people they serve, not merely responding when questioned.
Glue sales ASISH VINAY PRASAD PARK RD, RAIWASA, SUVA WHY can’t the Government or the relevant authorities establish very strict regulations on businesses selling any form of glue? For example, presentation of an identification card for any purchase. By the way, who is supposed to monitor the sale of cigarette rolls?
The law on loud noise! DONALD SINGH NAUSORI A WEDDING is a once-ina-lifetime thing for some people (others might be doing it more than once), and the atmosphere at the venue is usually noisy with loud (women especially) chatter, loud music and party type like there’s no tomorrow. The above though isn’t an open licence for anyone to disturb the neighbours. Yesterday (Friday) turned out to be a nightmare (in the day) with the night yet to befall at the time of this writing. I called the police a few times to check if excessive noise was allowed. They said it was not allowed and that they would check the house in question. The loud music subsided momentarily, then went louder than the earlier volume. I called the cop station again, the loud music subsided again, only to return a few moments later. I gave up calling. Then I realised I must be living near the most powerful man’s house. No powers could stop him. Some of those Bollywood songs, old and new, are lovely to listen to, but at low to moderate volumes. I now have a powerful sound system to take revenge. And plenty little ones to make it hell. Can’t buturaki anymore now, it’s the law!
Corporal punishment DINESH KUMAR BA THE general secretary of the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA), Paula Manumanunitoga, has made a submission to Parliament on the Education Bill advocating the reintroduction of corporal punishment in schools, though restricted to heads of schools. He claims that this proposal carries the support of 60 per cent of FTA members. One must, therefore, ask whether corporal punishment alone is truly the long-awaited solution to indiscipline, behavioural challenges, and drug abuse among students. The Government has adopted a clear zero-tolerance, no-drop policy on corporal punishment, and many teachers, including heads of schools, have previously faced serious consequences for breaching this policy. While numerous countries and indeed many educators locally are successfully implementing more effective and humane approaches to managing student behaviour, it is curious that some wish to revisit practices best left in history books. The Government’s firm stance against corporal punishment is commendable and should be respected. After all, we are dealing with Gen Z and Gen Alpha learners, not Gen X and expecting yesterday’s methods to work today. Definitely not! • More letters on Pages 10,26,28,30 and 32.
Wondering if BHAGWANJI BHINDI LAUCALA BEACH, NASINU WONDERING if things were same, my thoughts still roam
Through echoes of memories that once felt like home
Time has reshaped faces, and moments have flown
Paths we once walked now feel barely known
Questions linger softly in heart and in mind
Searching for answers we hope we might find
Still I walk forward with faith as my guide
Holding old dreams I once carried with pride
For within every ending, new beginnings rise
Like dawn breaking gently on familiar skies
Wondering if they were alive
Lost in memories we still strive
Echoes of laughter softly remain
Whispering stories of joy and pain
Time moves on, yet hearts still grieve
Clinging to hope we choose to believe
Though years may pass and wounds may heal
Their presence lingers, true and real
Wondering if that could be reversed If broken paths could be gently traversed If hearts once heavy could be unburdened
And lost tomorrows gently returned Wondering if those days could come back
When laughter was easy and hearts stayed on track
When worries were few and the nights felt so kind
And hope painted colours in every young mind
Time whispers softly, though paths may be new
Those cherished old moments still live on in you
The echoes of joy in the places we knew
Still warm up the soul when the days feel blue
Remember, life is a constant struggle between success and failure
Where hope walks a tightrope, growing stronger or frailer
We stumble, we rise, learning lessons from pain
Each loss leaves a mark, yet each win leaves a gain
Through storms of doubt and moments so unclear
We move forward with courage, fed by faith, not fear
At times we feel lost, unsure of the way
Yet perseverance whispers, “Don’t give up today”
For failure refines us, and success helps us see
That the struggle itself shapes who we’re meant to be
Believing that life is a tide, it ebbs and flows in time
Then rises again in a rhythmic rhyme It pulls us back with sorrow and pain
Yet teaches us hope when it flows again.
Tourism growth TAHIR ALI HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND THE Fiji Times reports of visitor arrivals 2021-2025 is a milestone achievement (FT 20/1). This truly indicates that Fiji tourism is well in demand globally. Bula smile! Welcome is traditionally unique. Keep it up Fiji. Feel home away from home.
Parents’ fear FLOYD ROBINSON MICRONESIA THE recent drug busts along the coast of Tavua will send shivers down the spine of parents and guardians across our communities. Which other areas along the coasts of our islands are targeted as transition points by those involved in the drug trade? What if our children are exposed to these hard drugs? Do we have counselling or rehabilitation centres for drug addicts from our communities? Times have certainly changed. Parents and guardians have every reason to enquire about the whereabouts and persons whom their children associate with. The sad reality is that these dangerous drugs are becoming increasingly common and available in our communities. All in all, this is a parent’s greatest fear but a reality of the times we live in.
Singapore challenge LUKE KULANIKORO SAVUSAVU WAS watching Fiji’s 2025 semis with Argentina. Can they do it again this year! Of course. Very easy! “Where the ball is, you must be is!” Go Fiji go.
World minus one RAKESH CHAND SHARMA NADI SOMETIMES back, Singapore’s Prime Minister had said: “The world minus one”, referring to USA. If Ursula von der Leyen, President of European Commission and chief guest for India’s January 26 Republic Day celebrations signs both the FTA and EUIndia Defence Pact on January 27, then Singapore PM’s ominous call for US isolation will come closer.
Avoid flooding SARITA LAL MALOLO ST, LAUTOKA THE impact of natural disasters is unavoidable; however, efforts to clear overgrown grass and any garbage from drains in front of each home and alongside one’s farm or piece of vacant land is important. This will allow easy access of water during heavy rain to avoid flooding to large extents. Some decades ago, such responsibilities were proudly carried out and hope they come into effect again.
