In support of aboriginal rights and justice
Contrary to Rakesh Chand Sharma’s spurious claim, I do not “sit on dispossessed Aboriginal land — and enjoy the spoils and claim to be a pacifist” (FT10/2). I stand in solidarity with the Aboriginal fight against colonial injustice, land rights and death in custody. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Garbage galore
In page 4 yesterday (Tues 10/2) is a picture of ‘Rubbish floating on Nubukalou Creek …)”. Yes, sort of a random picture of rubbish collected by nature because we discard, dump our rubbish willy-nilly, it doesn’t matter whether bins are there or not, getting rid of the rubbish at hand is essential: how and why it got there is not an issue. My sister just got back to Australia after a couple of weeks of holiday with close relatives in Osaka, Japan. She said in the streets she did not see garbage bins like we see in the streets in Australia and Fiji, neither did she see even a piece of whatever that can be called scrap or rubbish in the streets, or anywhere. Oh but this is Fiji, and we’re trying to sort out the things around us, and ourselves, and there’s heaps of garbage that need to be dumped. Moses Fong Suva
Critical needs
The ongoing leaks at Savusavu Hospital are no longer a minor inconvenience — they are a serious threat to patient safety and public health. While part of the hospital roof was repaired, large sections remain exposed. These leaks are now affecting critical areas, including the blood bank, laboratory, emergency department, and kitchen. In any hospital, water leaking near blood supplies and food preparation areas should set off alarm bells. According to the 2025–2026 National Budget, only $24,750 was allocated for refurbishment at Savusavu Hospital. This amount is difficult to reconcile when millions are being spent on urban hospitals, and it raises questions about whether the full roof repair was ever properly funded. The decision to address the problem under “minor works” appears to have resulted in patch-up jobs rather than lasting solutions. The problem does not end with the roof. Savusavu Hospital has also struggled for months with non-functional diagnostic equipment, including its X-ray machine and Hematology Analyser. Promised replacements have been slow to arrive, forcing delays and referrals that place additional strain on patients and staff. What is especially frustrating is that just two years ago, the Savusavu community raised around $110,000 to renovate the hospital through local fundraising efforts. Our community stepped up. Now we ask: will those responsible do the same? Regional hospitals are lifelines for rural communities. They cannot function safely with leaking roofs and missing equipment. Savusavu Hospital deserves the same standard of care and investment afforded to hospitals elsewhere in Fiji. It is time for urgent, permanent repairs and timely delivery of essential equipment — not temporary fixes and delayed promises! Noleen Billings Savusavu
Opposition to TNG incinerator
The proposal shown recently to the Vuda-Saweni community by TNG — Waste to energy (WtE) company to rezone 85ha of Fiji’s Heritage Coast into industrial, build a container loading facility and waste incinerator, that is to be fed by 900,000 tons of imported rubbish per year, has angered local residents and landowners of which I am one. The community held post presentation meetings and all were astounded how anyone could propose such a thing on this beautiful stretch of coastline that is culturally significant to the local iTaukei people, and the gateway to the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands. This proposal of a heavy industrial precinct contradicts established town and country planning land use allocations, conventions that ban the importation of dangerous waste to Fiji, and a convention that protects this area of coastline that is visited by migratory birds. A development of this nature would destroy some of the sites where Fijians first landed, mangroves and decades old trees. The proposed incinerator would produce 90,000 tons p.a. of unusable ash (see Singapore WtE example)that would need to be trucked to a land fill. All this traffic and industry would be in plain sight of Saweni Beach, Lautoka’s only available coastal beach picnic spot and spoil planned resort developments nearby. TNG continue to make fallacious statements to promote their plan saying that this project will “save the Government $250m p.a. in diesel generation costs”. Are they proposing to supply power for free? Will not this money rather be diverted to TNG for supplying power? No savings there! The Vuda-Saweni community is determined to make their voices of opposition heard through on-line and local petition’s, Facebook, and other means, to make it clear that this horrific and unpalatable idea is not for this area and not for Fiji. We hope that Ministry of Environment and government would never approve such a hazardous development, but rather incentivise developers to pursue tourism-type ideas that are more compatible and sympathetic to the historical significance of this site. We hope that they would always encourage investors in energy to pursue clean, sustainable production options that align with EFL’s strategic plan and UN Sustainable Development Goals, and assist councils and NGOs to promote the recycling of waste and better landfill management. Paul Forrest Saweni Beach Road, Lautoka
Rent or life
The rising cost of properties in the country will surely push most families either to squatter settlement or rent for life. Government must consider a proposed properties and housing bill so as to control the escalating and ever rising cost of it. If affects the root and heart of our existence. The family I mean. Pita Soroaqali Tavua
Perth 7s
Like in Fiji, Australia also has pay per view TV. There is no free channel for 7s rugby. Australians are saying that those who earn below $AUS80,000 per year are going through tough times, leave alone paying for rugby. As for grog drinking by Fijians, we’re doing it openly. Australians are known for beer drinking and partying openly. But there is one particular community whose many members take alcoholic drinks in hiding because the faith wouldn’t allow. What hypocrisy? It is time now for Jan Nissar to stop this wasteful nonsensical talk (fakatia baat). And there should be no victim card. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Ovalau road
The current state of the Ovalau Circular Rd is atrocious. Shocking indeed. Whereabouts the $12.6 million grant from Japan, for heavy machinery, to improve road maintenance and construction, with a focus on rural and maritime communities? What’s happening? Anthony Sahai Levuka, Ovalau
CWM Hospital
Fiji’s biggest hospital, the CWM, had ceiling leakage due to rain. What seems to be the issue that no-one cares about health system in Fiji? Even the ministers don’t seem to be ashamed of what the country is going through. It needs a general renovation from building to equipment which can upgrade to better facilities and better service to the public. Jaheed Buksh Korolevu, Sigatoka
For the MPs
MPs should volunteer to manage a specific geographical area in relation to the drugs crisis issues in our country. They report to Parliament as convenient. Discuss this in Parliament or through flying minutes. Yes? Asish Vinay Prasad Park Rd, Raiwasa, Suva
School bus
Has anyone seen how our school buses are so packed up and the school kids standing even on the door steps of the buses? All the enforcement by Police and LTA but these buses risk the lives of school kids daily. Looks like some people need to be reminded time and again to do their jobs. Narayan Reddy Lautoka
The sewer
The incident in which two students fell into a sewer after a concrete slab collapsed raises serious concerns about school safety and supervision. (FT 10/02). What should have been an ordinary school day nearly turned tragic, pointing to possible lapses in infrastructure maintenance. Equally concerning is why students were able to access a sewer area during lesson hours, prompting questions about teacher supervision and duty of care. While an investigation has been ordered, the school’s failure to promptly inform parents reflects a troubling lack of transparency. Near-misses like this must be treated as urgent warnings, not overlooked. DINESH KUMAR Ba
Matua school and reflection
Never too late!
We started the Matua classes at Nabua Secondary School, sharing the success of our Year 13 students whose stories were shared by Alifereti Sakiasi via the powerful The Fiji Times brand. Reena Ben’s story brought memories from last year. Her experience is set to inspire young women who have enrolled into the Matua program. Her success will inspire, encourage and motivate them to pursue tertiary studies and attain excellence. The fact that Reena returned to school after decades will restore the confidence in young women who left school due to circumstances beyond their control. Reena has set her sights on becoming a primary school teacher, and I’m confident the Matua program has nurtured her well and she will shine. The results that she achieved show that in life nothing is impossible if one works hard. Reena had a timely message for readers, “It is never too late. If you have the ambition and you are willing to work hard, you can change your future.” All the best, Reena as you pursue your dream! To Alifereti Sakiasi and The Fiji Times, thank you for raising awareness on the Matua program. The role that you continue to play in promoting the program is highly appreciated and commendable! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Once upon a time
There was a time, when I was in boarding in a hostel at a local tertiary institution, and my best friend was this Tabuakuru falla from Namosi. In the dormitory, I would tie those string firecrackers on his door from outside. Imagine the delirium it sent him into when he pulled open his door! Then he would tiptoe to my room with a bucket of water. Just when I would open my door, splash, would go the full bucket on me, and he would die laughing, not even running away! I would write my assignment, then he would rewrite my assignment, rephrased. Master would catch it and give us both less marks. Then we would wholeheartedly swear at each other, just like during the firecracker and water episodes. Mak’s dad would sometimes come to visit him at Koronivia and I would talanoa with him, someone who was still playing rugby at 50. Tamana would invite me to his village. Then came the semester break. I packed my bag and Mak and I caught the Viti Mini to Suva, then a carrier to Namosi. The first time I went to Namosi, I stayed there for two weeks, well, overstayed. The experience was unforgettable. The daily walks to the plantation across the river on the hillside, the work, the daily swims in the river, mum’s delicacies, the occasional touch sessions on the village rara and the green grog sessions deep into the night. Those memories are still fresh. I still visit Mak’s house these days. Dad’s around, still carrying that same vibe. Mum’s gone to Heaven. Mak is a Roko now. I boarded the carrier again to Navua Town, then a bus to Lautoka. Reached home to find my mother devastated, tired of trying to find out where I had gone to. She had contacted the institution and someone who knew about my friendship with Mak had likely told my mother that I must have gone to Namosi Village. My mother hailed from Namosi province. She had not filed a missing person police report. Anyway, reaching home, I couldn’t handle her tears, anger and relief both together. The look everyone gave me was deserving for an idiot, an inconsiderate and selfish person. I apologised, however not fully remorseful. What was the big deal, I thought. We didn’t have mobile phones at the time so I would tell her before each holiday that I was going to Namosi for a week or two. She rests in peace in Heaven today. I should have gotten a good hiding upon my return home. Donald Singh Nausori
