Removing FICAC KIRTI PATEL LAUTOKA WITH so much drama going on recently, it’s better to dismantle the FICAC which was formed after the 2006 coup. The Prime Minister’s thoughts here are understood but how seriously will this be followed. I am bound to ask after FNU, which was moved under the PM, and in no time went back to its base. We all are concerned about the increasing corruption and state of Fiji right now but FICAC has become from the hot cake to boring dragging episodes with change of characters. Is the corruption being tackled or escalating with changing scenarios which is signalling uncertainty in the country. Will be interesting to see how effectively the PM acts on removing FICAC.
Drugs war JUKI FONG CHEW NADAWA, NASINU WHILE the Middle East is at physical war, we in Fiji have our own version of war which is the war on drugs. Our common enemy (drugs) is nonliving/breathing but we the enablers which have the powers to stop this menace are blinded by greed of money. They cannot foresee the effects of these drugs on society as a whole for now and into the future. Now various stakeholders have met, discussed and drew up various strategies to counter or minimise this common enemy. No one person, politician, organisation, pressure group or movement can stop this war unless all citizens of this country come together as one and fight this common enemy for the sake of our generation for now and into the future.
Tournament venues SURESH CHAND NADI LAST year, the Fiji FACT was held in Suva, the Battle of the Giants took place in Labasa, and the IDC occurred in Ba. It seems only fair that every eligible district is afforded an equal opportunity to host the major soccer tournaments organised annually by the FFA, ideally on a rotational basis unless there are compelling reasons to deviate from this approach. This would allow fans and affiliates from various towns to equally enjoy the associated benefits. All affiliates should be granted fair recognition in your decision-making process. I felt it necessary to compose this letter after observing the list of venues utilised from 2010 to 2024 for the Battle of the Giants. The list indicates that during this period, Nadi and Ba were selected only once, while Labasa and Nadroga were not chosen at all, and Rewa, Suva, and Lautoka were selected multiple times. To elaborate, from 2010 to 2024, Rewa hosted the tournament three times, Suva twice, Lautoka six times, and both Ba and Nadi only once each. Ba’s Govind Park was unavailable from 2016 until last year due to reconstruction; however, other sporting venues such as Labasa, Nadroga, and Nadi were accessible yet not taken into account. What is the rationale behind the exclusion of these venues?
Thank you Trump RAKESH CHAND SHARMA NADI INDIA’S real GDP for the third quarter (OctoberDecember) of the 2025-26 fiscal year grew by 7.8 per cent. The Indians are thanking President Trump for imposing 50 per cent tariff that jolted the Modi government in to exploring new markets for its products. Thank you Trump for accelerating India’s Free Trade Agreements with EU, UK and many more nations. Thank you Trump for the growth in the GDP. I am looking forward to the outcome of US and Israeli military operations against Iran.
Modi medal RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA ISRAEL’S Speaker Amir Ohana made up the Medal of Knesset and hung it around the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s neck (Haaretz 27/2/26) no doubt in appreciation for his speech saying India stood firmly with Israel. With that “fake medal” (Yossi Verter, Israeli Political News Analysis) bestowed on him by Netanyahu lackeys Modi must have surpassed Mahatma Gandhi as the all-time greatest leader of India.
Congress hearing DENNIS FITZGERALD MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA THERE is a photo of Hillary Clinton released from the closed Congress hearing. This was not meant to happen. There are many files not released from the Epstein documents. Was this meant to happen? Why the difference? Is it just the difference between Republicans and Democrats and the way they operate?
Lomani at wing MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF NATABUA, LAUTOKA IN the latter stages of the game, whenever Frank Lomani has been shifted to the wing, he has shown the wingers in the Fijian Drua side what they should be doing. There has been a lot of changes in the wing department this season but the starters (just my opinion) have been way off mark.
Visitors’ attire AREKI DAWAI SUVA PERHAPS liaison officers (unless not Fijian) assigned to foreign touring Super Rugby teams could be briefed on protocols and standards of visitors’ attire before visiting a village. It seems like Big Bill has forgotten his roots and by the way, it’s not a province but the district of Vuda. I’m not sure whether it’s the role of FRU or Drua rugby to provide guidelines for visiting teams!
Spending scrutiny SAMU SILATOLU NAKASI, NAUSORI THE Housing Minister has highlighted the local council’s financial oversight. Why so much focus at the end of his term? Isn’t this supposed to be “keyed in” from the beginning? I am certain that all municipal councils have recorded “unprecedented” financial losses within the past 15 years. Was it due to poor management or oversighting? The LCC administrator Mr Taitusi Rasoki, has actually been a testimony, in my view. Sometimes, I believe that the solution to issues is just staring right at our face. Wisdom is the moral quality of figuring out our ignorance, uncertainty and limitation.
Please clarify JAN NISSAR SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA IS the call by the chair of the GCC for the removal of the two-year residency rule that prevents some iTaukei from contesting the general election limited to iTaukei or does his call apply to the vulagi in the same situation? I believe it is important for the GCC chairman to clarify this.
A brush with death DEWAN CHAND NAMADI HEIGHTS, SUVA ON Thursday, February 19, 2026, I headed towards Fiji Club to attend a Pensioner Core Group meeting scheduled to be held at 10.30am. I asked my daughter-in-law Reetu to drop me at the meeting venue. However, upon arrival I had an excruciating pain in my chest and could not get down from the vehicle. So I rang my friend Ronnie Chang, explained the situation and asked him to tender my apology. From there I headed towards home hoping that the pain would go away. But as we were driving back, I got the second attack which was unbearable. So I asked Reetu to drive me to the CWM Hospital Emergency Department. She swung around, put on the hazard lights and kept honking the horn but the traffic clogged the street. No one was willing to give way despite the emergency lights being switched on. However, after a despate struggle we reached the emergency department and Reetu swung open the door and shouted: “Heart attack, heart attack”. The security swung into action and brought in the wheelchair and pushed it into the nursing reception area. My health ID was given, pressure was checked and a note was given to Reetu to take me into the emergency department. Lo and behold the corridor was full to capacity and the emergency department itself was full of sick people choking the passage. After a short wait a doctor rushed in to check me. He directed that I be taken into the ECG room for examination. The nurses swung into action and pushed my wheelchair into the ECG room. They struggled with my hairy chest to fix the vacuum grip. Finally they succeeded. The doctor looked at it and cautioned that it would be a long wait as no beds were available. I was frustrated but helpless. I arrived at the emergency department at 11.30am and blood was extracted at 5pm for examination. The results came at 9.30pm and the nurses were struggling to locate a bed for me and kept saying that it will be available soon. But that soon never came. At 3.30 am I was told that a bed will be available in the step down room adjacent to the emergency department. It was a painful wait but I was relieved. The room was awfully cold and no blanket was supplied so I asked Reetu to bring one from home. She also brought in a cup, plate, spoon and a knife. The next day I was taken to the cardiac department for an echo test. However, upon arrival the power supply was cut off and my echo test was aborted. I was brought back to the step down room and soon two other men appeared who informed me that I would be shifted to the ICU-1 room. This was a great relief as this room was neat and clean and the doctors and nurses monitored my situation closely. The food was good and service was excellent. The following day I was taken in for the Echo test and the X-Ray of the chest. Regular visits from doctors and groups of medical students from FNU kept coming and talking. It was such a big relief just talking. On Tuesday, February 24, I was informed that I would be discharged from the hospital in the afternoon. Necessary medication was provided and what a relief it was to be out of hospital. Thanks to all doctors and nurses and other staff for their kind services. Also thanks to all friends and relatives who visited me in the hospital or rang from overseas. Yes, it was a close brush with death!
Traffic crackdown SAMU SILATOLU NAKASI, NAUSORI THE police and LTA traffic enforcement teams have been officially “set up” to crackdown traffic offenders. What a sensible idea, as traffic “enforcement” is always the weak spot to embracing road safety. It is high time, in my view, that such an enforcement mechanism is jointly operated for the public, motorists and commuters’ safety. The “vigilant” operation should cause road traffic perpetrators to think otherwise. If effectively and efficiently managed, I am certain it should introduce some “order”, even against the excessive traffic volume we are presently experiencing. At least attention has been given to the enforcement of our road safety issues.
Experience vital for 7s success! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU AS we approach the third leg, Fiji Airways National Men’s 7s coach Osea Kolinisau reminded the players to earn the jersey through consistency, stressing that no position was guaranteed. I’m delighted to see that team’s culture is shifting toward intense internal competition to drive performance. This will urge the players to work hard and show aggression and desire to seal a spot in the team. Fiji travels to Vancouver as top contenders, but they face a daunting path to the finals, having been drawn in Pool B with the traditional powerhouses Argentina, Australia, and France. It’s pleasing to see Akuila Dranivotua on the verge of making his debut. Alusio Vakadranu, Apete Narogo, Douglas Daveta, George Bose, courageous captain Jerry Matan, Jo Talacolo, Kavekini Tanivanuakula, Nacani Boginisoko, Pilipo Bukayaro, Manueli Maisamoa, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Terio Veilawa and Viwa Naduvalo were sensational in Singapore and Perth and deserve a shot at the jersey. Last year in Vancouver, Fiji finished top, having beaten Uruguay 38-12, the USA 33-12 and Spain 26- 21. The boys thumped Great Britain 24-0 in the quarters but lost to South Africa 12-10 in the semis. The boys finished third after thumping Spain 22-7. It’s time we get our hands back on the Vancouver 7s trophy. We last won there in 2018 after beating Kenya 31-12. At the BC Place, Argentina has won four Cup titles in a row, having beaten Fiji 29-10 in 2022, France 33-21 in 2023, the All Blacks 7s 36-12 in 2024 and South Africa 19-12 last year. The Los Pumas 7s has not been that formidable but never count the Pumas out. Wishing Kolinisau and the boys all the best for the third leg!
