From the latest Tebbutt polls, the ever soaring popularity of our PM Voreqe Bainimarama and his ruling FijiFirst party government is a general consensus, clear cut and is a precise indication that the majority of eligible Fijian voters for our next year’s national election are all indicating that they do not want a change in government and are all satisfied to see continuity and consistency in our country’s governance after next year’s general election.

I believe opposition political parties have now realised their greatest challenge at stake before them is how to map out strategies to win the hearts of the majority of eligible Fijian voters.

Nothing can be further from the truth, I believe they must learn to stop the lies and unnecessary childish character assassination as it all translates to frustration, disunity within their own ranks.

I believe they are insecure and cannot be trusted to lead a nation let alone internal party bickering and political greenhorns.

$2.3billion in our foreign reserves, what an achievement by our government in any standard compared with our past governments, the World Bank, IMF, ADB with other World authority financial institutions are all complimenting our country’s financial status and achievements but the sad part of all this is the opposition political parties’ unwavering negative critics of this positive and milestone achievement in distorting the truth.

The alleged Nadera, Kuluvota Moala informal settlement threat is uncalled for and unwarranted. I believe it is a very cheap and below the belt shot. Police must investigate the claims and allegations.

I was at Drasa, Lololo pine mill in the outskirts of Lautoka last Friday, August 4, to witness the opening of a new water treatment plant with the distribution of more than $1.5 million bonus by our PM to all our pine landowners starting from Serua, Nadroga and Navosa, Nadi, Magodro, Lautoka, Ba, Tavua and the Ra province, three successive years for these important stakeholders to receive their well earned monies for their mataqali and tokatoka. These landowners’ faces lit up with smiles when called to receive their individual cheques, a great milestone by the Fiji Pine chairman and his team of dedicated employees, those in the SODELPA opposition party did not achieve this feat during their reign in their former SVT and SDL government so please cut your nonsense and show some respect to the truth.

I believe Fijians are now better and well informed and smarter.

Rogue elements

Police Commissioner, Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho’s revelation of rogue elements within the police force is not surprising (FT:07/08).

I believe, to the ordinary citizen, most of our police officers simply take advantage of their position for personal gain. It is quite obvious that personal interest is more important than the public’s interest.

Our police stations are as good as the station officers who manage them and it is quite obvious that there is lots of room for improvement. We need strong, loyal, disciplinary, honest leaders at each and every station nationwide in order to rid off corrupt practices and bring about much needed efficiency.

The quality of our police officers is rather low and is an area that requires much improvement.

The standards for recruitment ought to be higher.

Our Fiji Police Force quotes its vision as “An internationally recognised, well-respected, vibrant, resilient and responsive police force”.

Now, in order for that to be in accordance with the fact of reality, much needs to change!

Simon Hazelman, Savusavu