Consistency key to survival!
If the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua is to make the playoffs in Super Rugby Pacific, the side needs to be consistent and clinical. At home, the Drua has cracked top sides like the Crusaders, Reds, Brumbies, Hurricanes and Waratahs but away from home the Drua crumbles and concedes soft tries. I watched the battle between the Drua and Blues who claimed the maiden Joeli Vidiri Memorial Trophy with the 40-15 win at Eden Park. While the Blues lad an explosive and experienced outfit and their forward pack proved the difference, the Drua led 15-14 at one stage. Ironically, we ran out of steam, and the Blues piled 26 points while we could not get a single point. The Blues were clinical while our boys slowed down as the game picked up pace. The bonus point win kept the Blues in touch with the Hurricanes at the top of the ladder, sitting second (with 24 points) on points difference, while the Drua sits in ninth of the ladder with eight points, still searching for their first win over the Blues after five previous losses. This Saturday, the Drua faces the Crusaders. Another tough battle on the run in New Zealand! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Waste-energy plant
I am writing to express my absolute disgust at the proposal by an Australian company to build a $US1.4 billion waste-to-energy plant in Vuda, (FT26/03/26). On the surface, it sounds like “green energy”, but when you look at the numbers, the truth is far more sinister. Fiji produces roughly 200,000 tonnes of waste a year. This plant needs 900,000 tonnes to function. Where is the other 700,000 tonnes coming from? The reports are clear: it will be shipped in from overseas, likely from Australia. This is environmental bullying, plain and simple. Why should Fiji — a nation already fighting the frontlines of climate change — become the “ashtray” for Australia’s rubbish? They have the land and the money to deal with their own waste, yet they want to ship their toxic problems to our shores, burn them in our backyard, and leave us with 22,500 tonnes of hazardous fly ash every year. Our mangroves in Vuda are a breeding ground for our food and a shield for our coast. To destroy them just to help an Australian billionaire turn a profit is an insult to our sovereignty. We are a “Vuvale” (family) with Australia, but family members do not dump their trash in each other’s living rooms. I urge the Department of Environment to reject this EIA. Fiji is a paradise to be protected, not a dumping ground for the leftovers of the developed world. Peceli Alistir Waitolu, Naitasiri
Referendums and U18s
I read somewhere that while making submissions before a parliamentary committee, NFP general secretary Kamal Iyer strongly criticised a clause that would prevent individuals under the age of 18 from taking part in any form of referendum-related activity. While not retelling the news content, I would like to concur with Kamal Iyer. This does not indicate my political affiliation though. I believe that if the clause were to become law, no politician, minister or the campaigners disguised as social workers should be allowed to speak to school audiences. There is always some extent of political campaigning in every school event speech where a politician is the chief guest. Most of the students in most of the school audiences are under the age of 18. We’d be pretending if we said we have not heard politically motivated or politically inclined speeches in school events. Areh, even in primary school events! Make the rule apply both ways. Makes sense? Donald Singh Nausori
Parallel universe
Outsider opinion is sometimes worth heeding, but not Londoner and property management entrepreneur (“I never write to newspapers or publicly voice my opinion”) Dave Cummins and his partner Anna’s letter (FT 21/3) who urge Fiji to not just revive capital punishment, immediately, but make execution mandatory for all found guilty of dealing or trafficking in drugs, be they 14 year-old at school or septuagenarian; irrespective of gender, presumably. Clearly, Dave and Anna’s advice, born of a visit last year to Fiji (“The most special place on Earth”, which they “fell in love with it the moment we arrived”), also of living in the Caribbean, not to mention London, bring insight and wisdom all its own, but just as clearly, they never got around to reading Sue Cauty’s illuminating FT ‘Letter of the Week 9/2-15/2’, on Fiji’s last hangman, Bill Reeves, and how he lost his mind, or indeed learnt much at all about ‘the real Fiji’ whose people famously bear fools cheerfully. Christopher Griffin Perth, Australia
He speaks again
So the former A-G and self-appointed “minister for everything,” (Aiyaz) has once again attempted to claw his way back into the public spotlight, this time by labeling the Referendum Bill as “draconian”. A classic case of the shoe being on the other foot? I believe Aiyaz may be having a serious bout of memory lapse or calculatingly forgetting the many “draconian” laws and heavy-handed policies that the now defunct FijiFirst regime drafted during their reign of totalitarian rule, where many questionable Bills were churned out like butter and passed in arliament at will. I suggest the media stop giving this individual, now a commoner, unnecessary publicity as he no longer has the mandate and the power he once enjoyed to wreak havoc on Fijians and the economy. So, at this stage, it would be more prudent for Aiyaz to focus on addressing his ongoing legal challenges rather than attempting to reinsert himself into national debates with a tone that rings hollow given his own record. Please do yourself and the public a favour by keeping your opinions to yourself. Simply put – shut up! Nishant Singh Lautoka
Solar energy
Large scale solar farms and roof top solar panels is the way to go for Fiji. EFL has been promoting diesel generators instead of solar. Not too late to change development plans for the future. Dan Urai Lautoka
Intel report
The so-called social media whistleblower on drug cartels and syndicates refusal to give a police statement, but rather intelligence report is just a waste of time, money and resources to the Fiji Police. Does he know the difference between a police statement and an intel report? Maybe he doesn’t. So sad! Pita Soroaqali Tavua
Earth’s finest
If Fiji Wai, the new water bottling plant in Naseyani, Ra, draws from the same artesian lake as Fiji Water, will they also lay claim to the title of Earth’s finest water? Would be interesting what their tagline reads. Samu Railoa Vanuabalavu
Unexplained wealth
When will the authorities start investigating unexplained wealth out there? I hope it’s carried out sooner than later. To bring some fairness on the hardworking and honest people of Fiji Furthermore, I fail to understand the logic behind immunity given to serious drug offenders. Steven Chandra Suva
Flexible hours
With Government’s proposal of flexible working hours, I wonder whether customers will also adjust to the flexible opening hours. What will be the difference if we had a two-hour daylight savings? Pita Soroaqali Tavua
Green energy
I recalL some years ago an Australian company was attempting to set up a solar farm around Vuda Back Rd. They intended to supply solar energy to the FEA (EFL) national grid. I believe FEA refused their application. Today EFL has installed a huge diesel generator at the Vuda Power House and small diesel generator sets around the country. In Monasavu, I believe, the hydro generating capacity is slowly decreasing as the national load increases. Trump’s war leaves Fiji’s energy sector vulnerable, with no back up available as fuel import decreases. Dan Urai Lautoka
Traffic woes and sacrilege
Traffic woes in Nadi
Every weekday morning, I travel from Andrews Rd to our office in Martintar, and in the afternoon, I make the same trip back home. From Monday to Friday, this routine is quite challenging. The first obstacle is merging onto the main road from my driveway, which is difficult due to the long line of cars. Once I’m on the road, I encounter the busy Raniga St/Andrews Rd junction, a three-way intersection known for its traffic jams. After getting past this point, I face another significant traffic jam just before the Nadi Bridge, and soon after, I navigate through the Narewa and Nadi Muslim College junctions. Unfortunately, these trouble spots are often not managed by traffic police. Daily, I deal with impatient and inconsiderate drivers, which adds to the stress. Many push their way through traffic without regard for others, and there is no law enforcement to intervene. The situation in Nadi has not improved, with ongoing issues ignored by the authorities, despite their knowledge of these urgent problems. Having police officers at key junctions during busy hours could help reduce this chaos. Their presence would assist in managing reckless drivers, resolving disputes, and lowering the risk of accidents, all while ensuring smoother traffic flow and reducing frustration. Why can’t traffic enforcement be prioritised for just an hour or two during the morning and afternoon rush? After peak hours, officers could return to their regular duties. Creating a team dedicated to consistently monitoring these troublesome intersections could lead to significant improvements. To complicate matters, the lack of proper road signs and markings creates confusion among drivers, allowing some to exploit the disorder. Tackling this issue alongside traffic management would greatly enhance the situation. It is crucial for local authorities to take these concerns seriously. Immediate action is needed. Suresh Chand Nadi
What’s wrong with people?
I have asked a few times what is wrong with the people of Fiji. I should be asking the same question to the people of the USA for having elected Donald Trump twice when the evidence of this man was clear after the first term. Now he is affecting the lives of everyone and every economy in the whole world. When you exercise your basic human right to be stupid, I believe there is always a price to pay. It happened with Hitler when the people of Germany democratically elected him to be their leader with a lot of euphoria. Remember what happened in Fiji in December 2022, after the election? The question is not when people will learn. The fact is people will never learn. Just forgive, give them a third chance and “move forward”, eh? Like Tiger Woods. Jan Nissar Sydney, NSW, Australia
We are hurt
On behalf of our priests, nuns and the faithful members of our Catholic community, allow me to express how hurt we are. Individuals responsible for such despicable acts of sacrilege, we say, “shame on you all”. Absolutely disgusting for breaking into our church, removing our holiest shrine, the Tabernacle, breaking it in our school grounds and scattering the blessed sacrament. Such hurtful acts are never tolerable. Furthermore, breaking into our school headteachers office, via the roof, and stealing our students’ sacrifices for Lenten offerings. Shamefully heartbreaking indeed. Your acts are disgusting. You are a curse to society. Please know a superior being will judge you accordingly. (Sa dua na itovo lutusobu dina. E sega beka dina na nomuni madua. Ek saram baat). Please leave our religious properties; and all religious properties alone. You are heartlessly uncaring, shameful beings. I pray the long arms of the law finds you sooner. May you not be spared. You will seek forgiveness from your God. And serve your sentence too. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
