Bula
Three stories make the front page of The Fiji Times for Tuesday, March 11.
Attorney-General Graham Leung has assured the public that any review or amendment of the Constitution will adhere to the law, stating there is no intention to bypass or circumvent the Constitution.
The Government is moving ahead with the long-awaited Code of Conduct Bill aimed at establishing clear standards for public office holders and strengthening Fiji’s governance frameworks. The Bill, which was initially introduced but lapsed in 2018, will address the constitutional requirement for public office holders to adhere to codes of conduct.
A person died and two were in critical condition last evening after an explosion at the Ministry of Fisheries Office in Wainibokasi, Nausori.
The lead in Business: Local financier Merchant Finance Pte Limited’s new land subdivision loan product is expected to generate 30 to 50 per cent profit for the developer. Merchant Finance CEO Veilawa Rereiwasaliwa revealed this to The Fiji Times in an interview yesterday in response to the question on why the institution had decided to venture into this area which commercial banks deemed risky. * Full report on Page 14
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Synopsis
It is encouraging that the Methodist Church in Fiji has recognised the increasing number of children falling victim to drug abuse. It is good that we take ownership of this major challenge for our nation.
The church has accepted that many of them come from Methodist backgrounds.
Speaking at the Fathers’ Sunday service at the Centenary Church in Suva, the church’s general secretary, the Reverend Dr Jolami Lasawa emphasised the critical role of fathers in shaping their children’s future and protecting them from harmful influences.
It makes sense. However, we say there has to be a concerted effort right across the country, to empower parents and guardians, and our young to understand and appreciate the dangers of drug abuse.
As Mr Lasawa said: “One of the biggest challenges we face today is the issue of drugs and HIV.”
Mr Lasawa expressed their commitment to work alongside non-governmental organisations (NGOs), law enforcement, and other churches to fight the crisis.
The church, he said, continues to provide support and guidance for affected children and their families.
This is quite important. And we need stakeholders to embrace the need for us to be on top of this massive challenge.
We say massive because it is. Our numbers are scary. We have figures on HIV hitting the roof, and the number of addicts is probably some where there as well.
In January this year, Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu declared an official HIV outbreak in the country, citing a significant surge in new cases and related deaths. Between January and September 2024 alone, 1093 new HIV cases were recorded, along with 115 HIV-related deaths.
Thinks get worse because we do not have adequately resourced rehabilitation centres for those who want to get out of the habit.
So we have rising numbers. We have addicts, and those who continue to sell the drugs, yet we have no outlet for those who want to give it up.
We have been advocating this for the past four years now. We need rehab centres urgently.
Considering the impact such centres could have on our numbers; we may even be able to reduce crimes connected to feeding the drug habit! Who knows!
We need more of this. We need people talking about drug abuse. We need people highlighting it as an issue and getting behind the campaign to fight it.
We need to be screaming it from the rooftops and sharing what we know about it.
There really is nothing fancy about this at all. It’s not a bed of roses either. Drug abuse is bad for us.
Lives are impacted. Families and communities are impacted.
It is good that the church has recognised this problem and acknowledges that.
The commitment to confront it is commendable.
Again, we say, there can be no sugarcoating the massive problem we have before us!
It may be bad, but through education, awareness and support can we all assist in fighting it.
