Hullo readers.
In The Fiji Times edition of Friday, February 19, 2021, our coverage of the situation at the University of the South Pacific continues, and today you will read about the Prime Minister’s public comment calling for the resignation of an award-winning USP academic who is also the wife of an Opposition MP.
The Prime Minister is touring affected areas, particularly schools, in the Northern Division that were affected by the recent natural disasters.
And while in the Northern Division, we bring you reports of the challenges – post-disaster – that northerners continue to experience.
That and more have been compiled for your indulgence but for now, here’s your briefing of what to expect in The Fiji Times of Friday, February 19, 2021:
Misogynistic and uncalled for
Defamatory remarks made by Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama about Dr Rajni Chand’s appointment at the controversial University of the South Pacific have copped a backlash from concerned organisations that have also called on the PM to retract the statements made and offer an apology. Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre coordinator Shamima Ali says Mr Bainimarama should retract his statement and issue an apology for the “uncalled for and misogynistic attack” against Dr Chand. Dr Chand is the wife of NFP leader and Opposition MP Prof Biman Prasad.
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Condescending comments
Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff Women’s Wing chair Rosalia Fatiaki said it was sad that in his efforts to justify the link between National Federation Party leader Dr Biman Prasad and the deportation of vice-chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia, the PM made condescending comments about Dr Chand.
Legal opinion on Pal’s deportation
The Association of the University of the South Pacific and the University of the South Pacific Staff Union say they are concerned about a statement made by Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in Parliament last week where he cited legal opinion from USP lawyers – Munro Leys. In a joint statement, the two staff unions have opted to go for a second legal opinion on the matter surrounding the deportation of the former VC Prof Pal Ahluwalia and his contract.
Assistance for affected farmers
Farmers who were affected by TC Yasa and TC Ana will receive $200 each to help them prepare for cultivation and eventually contribute to reviving the local agriculture sector.
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Export potential
Fiji has the potential to export $100m worth of agricultural commodities in the next three years “if all goes to plan” – says the Minister for Agriculture Dr Mahendra Reddy.
Cash for cultivation
A new program called Cash for Cultivation – an initiative of the Government – was launched in Sigatoka today. And it is said that more than 1000 farming households could benefit from this program, provided they identify agriculture as their main source of livelihood.
Development vs performance
Fiji’s Agriculture Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy says the growth and development of the sector is entirely dependent on the performance or the lack thereof of farmers and stakeholders. He addressed the farming communities in Votua, Balevuto and Karavi earlier this week and emphasised on the primary role of the farmer to produce agricultural products, whether it be crops, vegetables or livestock.
Soil health
Parliament was made known last week that the Government had facilitated the supply of 73,430 tonnes of mill mud from the Fiji Sugar Corporation to farmers over the past two years to improve soil health on farms.
Criminal Procedure Bill
The Law Association for Asia and Pacific (LAWASIA) says that the passing of the Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill 2021 and the High Court (Amendment) Bill 2021 in the Fijian Parliament could have implications that “are potentially significant”.
Northern students
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has advised Government officials to quickly help students to move out of tents and back into suitable classrooms. He made this comment while commending the students, teachers, and parents of Nadogo Central College (NCC) in Macuata for recording impressive pass rates in last year’s external examinations.
Still in the North …
The Declaration of a State of Natural Disaster has been extended for a further period of 20-days for the Northern Division. That extension followed the expiry of the previous 30-day extension, and it was approved by Cabinet upon the advice of the Emergency Committee.
Cane farmers
Sugarcane farmers in the Wainikoro and Daku areas in Macuata would have to use trucks this harvesting season to cart cane to the mill in Labasa. The 13km railways they used to use were damaged at the height of the two recent cyclones and this has restricted locomotives from servicing farmers in those areas.
Student safety
Villagers of Vunivutu capitalised on the Prime Minister’s visit to their community when they voiced serious concerns on the safety of their children who continued to use the road that was washed away during TC Ana. The PM was told that students would fall into the ditch while crossing.
Lautoka ratepayers
It has been reported that only 28 per cent of ratepayers in Lautoka have paid their rates so far. The Lautoka City Council has 8163 ratepayers, and some 2261 ratepayers have paid their rates.
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Traffic impact
A traffic impact study will be carried out by the Lautoka City Council in a move to address traffic flow and congestion issues within the city. Talks have already started among some key stakeholders.
IN OTHER NEWS …
Political party accounts
The Fijian Elections Office (FEO) is in the process of developing audit guidelines for the audit of registered political party accounts. This was the objective behind the consultation session that was held yesterday between Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem and officials of registered political parties.
Sigatoka murder case
Police investigations are continuing into the alleged murder of a Sigatoka elderly couple whose bodies were found several days after their tragic death. Police have yet to make an arrest.
Meaningful development
United Nations Resident Còordinator Sanaka Samarsinha conveyed his message to the people of Lau where is he currently touring that development is meaningful when it responds to the people’s needs. The UN envoy to Fiji and the Pacific is spearheading a joint UN-Government Mission visiting islands in central Lau.
Related:
Buckets of love
Some 600 “buckets full of love” will be distributed in central Lau by the end of this week bringing happiness and smiles to families there. The buckets will contain relief supplies targeted at those affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa.
IN SPORT
In God We Trust
Athletes of Tailevu-based all-boys school and defending champion of the Coke Games – Ratu Kadavulevu School – will work together to rebuild the “walls” of RKS through their trust in God. There was media ban on the inter-house competition held in Lodoni today.
Related:
LDS positivity
LDS inter-house athletics meet manager Ernest Vitinavulagi says the school is undergoing a shift to strengthen its performance in field events. The school held its inter-house competition today and the team is positive of turning the 2020 negatives into a positive.
Jasper inter-house
Topaz House reigned supreme during the Jasper Williams High School inter-house competition at Churchill Park in Lautoka yesterday. School principal Vanita Kumar said she was impressed with the athletes’ performance despite the lack of preparation because of weather conditions.
RUGBY
Back to the drawing board
Nadroga Rugby Union is going ahead with its plans to stage a strongly contested season to help its return to dominance in Fijian provincial rugby competitions. NRU officials are back on the drawing board, mapping strategies that could help them churn winning skills this year.
Labourers-turn rugby stars
The Fijians’ prowess in rugby is now a global phenomena and it will always find a way of showing itself whenever it gets the opportunity. This time, our nationals who are working under the Pacific Labour Scheme in Australia were stars at a recent Mick ‘Whale’ Curry Sevens tournament in NSW where they entertained fans. The inclusion of these workers in the Singleton Bulls rugby team is said to be the boost the team needed to pull off a historic win in the final.
Ikanikoda and Taliga
Fiji 7s and Police Blue playmaker Livai Ikanikoda says he is banking on the experience of teammate Kitione Taliga to perform for the side in the second leg of the Super 7s Series. The newly-wed groom spoke highly of Taliga commending his skills and vision.
