Congratulations in order
Congratulations to Miss Pacific Islands 2026, Ailava Samuels. You have done the country proud. The adverse situation in which you stepped forward needs lots of courage. You stood up to the impacts of cyberbullying and showed the way forward, defying the ugly consequences. You rose above the sharp pointing needles. You took the opportunity given to you and you embraced it with positivity. You broke the barriers of cyberbullying that can destroy a person in seconds. Thanks to our government for recognising the efforts and hard work with positive determination. Our young women need encouragement and support, not criticism, especially when they have so much positivity towards their nation. Vinaka Ms Samuels. Well done. KIRTI PATEL Lautoka
The tariff math
So yesterday I did not multiply the 0.00138 by 100. Let me correct that now. Nine hundred and seventy-five submissions, a 0.138 per cent representation is still a misrepresentation. The reported 51 per cent approval, math corrected, at 0.071 is still insignificant and a misrepresentation. Fifty-one per cent approval as reported by FCCC, if put as a percentage of the 223,539 EFL customers, comes to 0.222 per cent. Math corrected, can someone please support me in this fight? Or do I smell complicity? DONALD SINGH Nausori
Opening of Parliament
I happened to watch the opening of Parliament on TV on February 16 and all the unnecessary pomp and ceremony which seems to be an accepted feature of such a day. For a while I thought I was watching something happening in a despot African country. I feel for all those Navy and police personnel who stood at attention for more than two hours in the hot sun while the parliamentarians sat in air-conditioned environments waiting for the President to arrive in his air-conditioned monstrosity. I believe one or more of the personnel may have collapsed in the heat. The President worked very hard to pretend that he could walk while inspecting the troops, but I believe he had to be helped into Parliament and into the Speaker’s chair. What a waste of half a day basking in glory by those concerned instead of doing some work for the people of Fiji. But the most significant aspect of the whole affair is the President should practise what he preaches when it comes to law and order otherwise it just looks like he is blowing a lot of hot air. Someone must speak up because I don’t think Fijians will. They all seem to be scared and living in fear. JAN NISSAR Lautoka
Taveuni electrification
I write with growing concern from Taveuni regarding the continued lack of electricity for some homes on the island, despite electrification being announced as a government project a few years ago now. While neighbouring households enjoy the benefits of a basic service that many take for granted, there are families who remain in the dark — quite literally — left to watch with frustration and envy as promises made to them quietly fade into obscurity. These residents are no less deserving and have the same rights as those living only a short distance away. Somewhere along the line there appears to have been a serious breakdown in planning, implementation, or follow-through. Whether this is due to administrative oversight, coordination failures, or funding issues remains unclear. What is clear, however, is that the issue has been overlooked for far too long. Electricity is not a luxury. It affects education, safety, healthcare, communication, and economic opportunity. Children study by torchlight at times, families rely on unsafe alternatives, and entire households are held back — all while a promised solution remains undelivered. This raises an important question: what are Energy Fiji Ltd and the Government doing to address this matter? Are there updated timelines? Has the project stalled, or has it simply been forgotten? Most importantly, when will these affected households finally be connected? The people of Taveuni deserve transparency, accountability, and action. A public update from the responsible authorities would go a long way toward restoring trust and ensuring that no community is quietly left behind. NOLEEN BILLINGS Savusavu
Drua hammered at the fortress!
The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua put up a shocking performance at our fortress, getting hammered by the visiting Moana Pasifika 40-26. The Drua’s lacklustre stunt resulted in the heavy loss. Fans packed Churchill Park to the brim, hoping for a grand start by the hosts who could not get the basics of rugby correct. The heat seemed to have doused the fire in the engine room. The boys looked out of shape. Passes did not connect. The number of knock-ons, set-piece woes and poor kicking game said much about how we prepared to face the Moana. The battle of the Pacific was dominated by the visitors as they ended the Drua’s unbeaten run at the cauldron of Lautoka in one of Super Rugby Pacific’s most enthralling rivalries. The Moana started fast, and while the Drua fought back, the visitors produced the more convincing performance to start the season. The Moana attacked with momentum in their carry game and captain courageous Miracle Fai’ilagai, who got a hat-trick, was lethal and led like a Pacific warrior. The Moana got their basics right, which the Drua needs to get back to. On Friday, the Drua faces the Waratahs away from home. It’s going to be a David-Goliath battle watching the way the Waratahs handed the visiting Queensland Reds a 36-12 drubbing. I’m quietly hoping for a miracle. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
51 per cent
According to the Commerce Commission of Fiji, 51 per cent of people voted for the electricity price increase. Can I ask who voted, was the supervisor of election responsible for voting, was the counting done in a transparent way and who organised the voting? As far as I know, people will vote for pay increase and not price increase. Cost of living is already high and why would people agree for a price increase if their pockets are already empty? Narayan Reddy Lautoka
Not a chance
Unless data and top-ups are carried forward (without an expiry date), internet and call service providers don’t stand a chance against Starlink! Hint! Hint! Noleen Billings Savusavu
Importance of integrity
President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu is too right in identifying integrity as the missing link in good governance in the country. So he “urged leaders, political supporters, and citizens to uphold integrity and respect (of the rule of law and multiculturalism) in the lead-up to elections, emphasising that democracy depends on more than just casting votes” (FT 27/2). The leadership in the country in recent times (both the current and previous government) have not set good examples of integrity in their conduct and stewardship. We wait to see whether the positive change the President has called for happens or whether the rot has become too entrenched to root out. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Waimalika road hump
I think enough has been said about the negative effects of constructing the single thoughtless road hump at Waimalika, Nadi on the Queens Rd. If you are not familiar with the issue, just ask anyone of the drivers joining a 2km queue on either side of the hump how a smooth vehicle flow is suddenly disrupted by this unnecessary obstacle. If you don’t believe the story, just stand beside the hump and you won’t see a soul attempting to cross the road for a substantial part of the day. So FRA, come clean. Tell us who requested and approved the construction of this road hump and what criteria was used to build it. Please tell us the full story. Ajai Kumar Nadi
Ovalau and road network
Who’s in control?
The FSC casual staff expenses, Sports Minister and his wife’s rugby trip, and the misuse of $200 cash assistance for students by parents indicate that people do not take laws, rules, regulations etc., seriously. Through the media, people know that people on top get away and so they will too. The Coalition Government’s loose control in an election year will lead to institutions being weakened and compromised. We are turning into another Venezuela, sitting on vast resources, yet people being poor. Also additional problems are piling on us. Who is in control of Government? Rakesh Chand Sharma
Nadi
Ovalau tourism
During his recent rare visit to the majestic group of Lau Islands, DPM and Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka, stated that, “the group represents one of Fiji’s greatest untapped tourism frontiers”. (FT 8/2) Absolutely, that is the obvious truth but why has it taken him so long to realise such? To back-track a couple of years, the same government minister, on a FBC News Facebook post, dated 11/07/2024 at 4.30pm, confirmed his ministry’s commitment to restoring air services to Levuka. He further stated that the focus is to strengthen the economic viability of operating flights to Ovalau Island and that Government will subsidise the route to ensure continued service. Till to-date, still nothing. At the Levuka Wharf, there’s a plaque which commemorates the opening of the reconstructed wharf on 17/05/1980 by then Tourism Minister, the late Hon. Tomasi Vakatora. That was 46 years ago. When will our World Heritage “tourism neglected” Levuka Town, get another visit by the Tourism Minister? Oops, with elections looming, I guess, soon. Anthony Sahai Levuka, Ovalau
Expanding road network
Nadi’s roads simply cannot handle the traffic any longer. The situation is worsening daily, and frankly, the only viable solution is to broaden the network. We must explore all possibilities for new bypass routes and act without delay. Here’s my suggestion: extend the Navakai Bypass Rd all the way to Queens Rd in Navo and construct another route from Qeleloa Tank to the highway in Korovuto. This approach will significantly alleviate the daily traffic chaos in Nadi. Additionally, why not consider building a new bridge near the Nadi Farmers Club, where the old one once stood? It would greatly enhance the flow and speed of traffic. Admittedly, it appears to be a considerable undertaking, but let’s face it — the volume of vehicles has surged, while the roads remaining largely unchanged. Nadi is rapidly expanding, and most visitors to Fiji either land here, stay here, or at least pass through. We cannot afford to delay. The sooner we initiate these projects, the better. When the highway was upgraded to four lanes, travelling from the airport to Martintar became significantly easier. The Navakai Bypass Rd also provided a substantial improvement, particularly for tourists travelling between the airport and Port Denarau. Just think about how much worse the traffic situation would be if those projects hadn’t been undertaken. The FijiFirst government deserves recognition for investing millions into Nadi. That’s what genuine progress looks like, for both a town and an entire nation. However, not everything is perfect. The municipal council? Quite disappointing, to be honest. Just look around — maintenance is lacking. For instance, the Nadi Bus Station is long overdue for an upgrade. The market car park is in a critical state. The main drain gives off a foul odour continuously. These are just a few issues that are part of a larger problem. Nonetheless, the ratepayers remain hopeful that change will come sooner rather than later. Suresh Chand Nadi
