Hullo,
Leading the headlines in The Fiji Times tomorrow, March 03, 2021 – Unity Fiji Party leader Savenaca Narube says there is no such thing as borrowing smartly.
Mr Narube made this statement in response to Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum during a virtual public budget consultation from Singapore that Government borrowed this year to pay for operating expenditure because it had less revenue and the economy has contracted.
RELATED:
Priority of any Government in a crisis
Stabilising revenue and removing wasteful expenses must be the first priority of any Government in a crisis, says Unity Fiji Party leader Savenaca Narube. However, he said Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum had done exactly the opposite by destabilizing the revenue further.
Here is your briefing of what else is in store for you in tomorrow’s edition of The Fiji Times – Wednesday, March 03, 2021.
Medical marijuana production
While Government says there is no immediate plan to venture into medical marijuana production, Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong says there is interest in its use for palliative care pain management. He made the comment in response to queries from this newspaper.
Cepheid GeneXpert COVID-19 testing kits
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services received 22,200 Cepheid GeneXpert COVID-19 testing kits worth about $900,000 from the Asian Development Bank and UNICEF Fiji on Monday. Officiating at the handover, Minister for Health and Medical Services Ifereimi Waqainabete said the kits would make testing faster and convenient.
Call for decent rest for A-G
The Civil Society Organisations Alliance has called on Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to allow Minister for Economy Aiyaz-Sayed-Khaiyum a decent rest by delegating his responsibilities. While showing empathy with Mr Sayed-Khaiyum, the alliance says in a statement they were concerned held several portfolios during this time of the pandemic and economic down turn.
3rd annual nuclear victims solidarity march
Members of the Marshall Islands Students Association (MISA) staged a march to mark the 3rd annual nuclear victims solidarity march on Monday this week. Held at the University of the South Pacific Laucala campus, the march was joined by other regional students of the university.
Flood waters enter business district
Ba Town was closed off to the public after flood waters entered the main business district early yesterday morning.Ba Town Council CEO Priya Singh said police officers patrolled through the town to ensure public and property safety.
Frustrated market vendors
Ba market vendors were left frustrated yesterday after they were not allowed into the facility following an early morning flash flood.A group of vendors spent most of the day trying to access their stalls which were closed off by the Ba Town Council to ensure public safety.
RFMF soldiers tour of duty
A total of 139 Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) soldiers of the 1 FIR team would depart to Golan Heights for a year long duty in April after successfully completing their six weeks of UNDOF Pre- Deployment training (PDT) at Lololo training station in Lautoka.
Tudravu applies for Police Commissioner position
Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu has applied for the position of the Police Commissioner as advertised by the Constitutional Offices Commission. He confirmed this in a meeting with this newspaper.
‘Support was very timely’
The Japan government handed over maritime safety and security equipment’s worth approximately $F5.5 million to the Fiji Police Force. Minister for Defense, National Security and Policing Inia Seruiratu said with the increase in natural disasters occurring in Fiji and the global pandemic, the support was very timely.
IN BUSINESS:
Government debt
Government debt stood at 73.2 per cent of GDP or $6,863m at the end of January 2021.
VAT collections
Domestic Value Added Tax collections dropped by 25.2 per cent to $41.1 million.
IN SPORTS:
Twins strong bond
Naitasiri twins Laiseana and Merelita Lesumailodoni’s strong bond will be their key weapon to the zone two athletics competition. The Navuso duo took part in yesterday’s combined inter-house between their school Ballentine Memorial and Lami High School.
Treat for students
Lami High School used yesterday’s combined inter-house with Ballentine Memorial School as a way of treating its students. Principal James Faiyaz said with the background of the school, yesterday’s event was for students, teachers and parents to have a time to bond.
Rise Fiji Rise 7s
Gau Kacau team manager Apenisa Nodrayaca said for the team it was duty that drove them to take part in this weekends Suva Rugby Union Rise Fiji Rise 7s tournament. “When we heard about the 7s appeal, there was no way we were not getting involved,”Nodrayaca said.
‘Show no fear’
Fiji Rugby 7s women squad members who are hoping to participate at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were encouraged “to show no fear.” Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC) president, Makarita Lenoa made the comment during a visitation to the women’s training camp along with vice-president, Iowane Naivalurua and Tokyo 2020 chef de mission, Patrick Bower.
