Excitement heats up!
Energy is building up as athletes are into their last week of preparations before they hit top gear from next Thursday when this year’s Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Finals kicks off. Athletes residing away from Viti Levu are ready to make their journey to the Capital City with hopes of returning home with bags full of beautiful memories. Those on the mainland are working the extra mile to ensure that they perform beyond expectations. Athletes who won medals at the Games will aim to do better than last year. Each athlete carries a dream and that of their loved ones and their beloved school. The fever is such. Expect tears, emotions and stories to fill both the print and social media. MGM High School and Marist Brothers High School will be defending their titles. Tickets are on sale and the official list is out. Excitement is heating up as athletes gather in the heart of Suva. I’m looking forward to the battle! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day, Saturday, April 25,
we should pause to fondly remember,
those who sacrificed their own precious lives,
to enable us all to live peacefully together.
In faraway Gallipoli
and in other theatres of conflicts and war,
they fought so hard and bravely,
some never returned to our southern shores.
So at the going down of the setting sun
and in the coolness of a dewy morn,
the Dawn Service’s Last Post hauntingly reminds us,
to always remember the many brave fallen.
Lest we forget those ANZACs! Edward Blakelock Admirals Circle, Pacific Harbour
Hybrid warfare
It is alarming to read through The Fiji Times (23/04) about hybrid warfare, digital disinformation, transnational criminal networks exploiting chaos and vulnerability that follow natural disasters, finding dangerous weapons in public domain etc. Before, we only read or heard from different media about hegemonic powers destabilising smaller, weaker nations to exploit their weak political systems or resources. Today, there is a thin line between hegemonic powers and criminal networks. I believe that some of the criminal activities have originated due to “deep state” of hegemonic powers using illegal drug trade to finance their activities. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Hope-a-dope
I’m definitely not joking with the hope-a-dope title. The collaboration between the Fiji Police Force and the RFMF offers hope. Have we set off already on the journey to blockade our own strait: the strait of drugs? I can imagine the collab narrowing down on the dealers and obliterating them, movie-like. It is expected to be a little rough and sound health cannot be guaranteed for those caught red-handed, and certain rights may have to take a backseat at times. It’s a long project though, and cleansing the streets will take a while. We can only hope that the momentum is not lost. It’s hope-a-dope time. The FPF and the RFMF have their backs on the rope, such seems the gravity of the drug pandemic. Donald Singh Nausori
Virtual celebrations
So now, under the banner of cost-cutting during the fuel crisis, Girmit Day celebrations are going virtual. Apparently, restraint is something expected of the public, less so of those in charge. If that’s the standard, then apply it across the board. Move festivals, church services, and sporting events online too. Shared sacrifice shouldn’t be selective. It should be universal. And perhaps government ministers, including Charan Jeath Singh, could lead by example by forgoing their salaries during this global crisis and experience the same pressures faced by the common people they represent and lecture. If I could only devise a way to poop virtually and save water! Nishant Singh Lautoka
Bus drivers
I wish to raise a concern regarding bus drivers’ behaviour on Fiji’s roads, particularly in relation to lane discipline and driving conduct in busy traffic conditions. As a regular road user, I have observed instances where buses frequently change lanes, sometimes multiple times within short distances. In many road safety systems internationally, larger passenger vehicles are generally expected to maintain steady lane positions where possible — often the left-most lane — except when safely overtaking or accessing designated bus stops and bays for passenger pick-up and drop-off. This is primarily to support predictability in traffic flow and enhance safety for all road users. When buses move frequently between lanes or appear to travel at speeds inconsistent with surrounding traffic conditions, it creates uncertainty for other drivers and increases the risk of accidents, particularly in congested urban areas. This raises broader questions about driver training, route pressures, and operational expectations placed on bus drivers. For example, are drivers sufficiently trained and supported to prioritise smooth, predictable driving patterns over schedule pressures? And are there clear and consistently enforced guidelines regarding lane discipline and speed management for public service vehicles? Given that buses carry passengers and therefore a higher duty of care, it would be helpful to understand what regulatory standards are in place and how compliance is monitored. This is not intended as criticism of individual drivers, but rather as a call for clarity and reinforcement of safe driving standards for public transport operators in Fiji. Ash Dee Lautoka
Waste project
Vuda, First Landing or Last Resort? You choose. Christopher Griffin Perth, Australia
Embarrassing predicament
In our travels through Türkiye, Greece and Egypt, locals always asked us where we were from. They all gave us a quizzical look when we said Fiji. No one had heard of Fiji. And I always thought that Fiji was the centre of the universe! Let me qualify that – Fijians think that Fiji is the centre of the universe. Apparently, it is not. Given the scale of the ancient civilisation in these three countries, I believe Fiji is an embarrassment. And now some Fijians want to pretend they are Israelites. It is even more embarrassing. Jan Nissar Istanbul, Türkiye
Drug raid
The public should support and assist both the police and the military in the drug raids around the country. Don’t just sit back and complain about those in your neighbourhood selling drugs. Do something about it. Our children have been suffering for too long. It’s not too late to help clean, Fiji. Dan Urai Lautoka
Form filling
Technology is supposed to make life easier by automating tasks, improving efficiency etc., and allowing us to do things quickly. But for the Fiji Elections Office, to register to vote for the upcoming municipal election, one again has to fill in a double-sided form with the exact details they were given when registering for previous general elections. Can’t it be done with just a few strokes of the keyboard? What is it with us and filling forms? Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Jone Vakarisi
All lives matter! Thou shall not kill. Christopher Griffin Perth, Australia
Any response?
There was a letter to Donald Trump, the US President, from Donald Singh. I am just wondering if Mr Trump has seen that letter. I hope a reply will be sent soon or has already been sent. Sukha Singh, Labasa
Garbage saga
So much has been said against the proposed power plant set up at Vuda, especially the supposed negative impact on the environment. Did some digging around, after supporting the petition, and came to realise the idea itself would be very beneficial to Fiji. Look at Singapore. The following could be looked at:
Revise the proposed location from Vuda to the Navutu dump site at Lautoka
The investors should build a wharf at the shore near the dumpsite with all environmental safety nets in place. The wharf could be used for freight or cargo whilst tourist vessels berth at the Queen’s wharf.
All garbage collected from around Viti Levu and Vanua Levu to be weighed and paid to the local government or individuals by the investors. Remove garbage collection fees from ratepayers
Garbage brought in from outside Fiji to be weighed and paid as tax.
Income generated from the power plant to be taxed at a high rate
The positive outcome:
A cleaner environment which would attract more tourists
No garbage means no germ carrying rodents therefore a healthier nation
More money in the citizens’ pockets from the sale of garbage and savings from local government fees for garbage collection
Income generated for the government, therefore more finance available for health care, education, developments, etc.
Less reliant on diesel for fuel to run EFL generators thus more savings on fuel import since the proposed power plant would be using garbage as fuel and large enough to supplement local power demands. Edward Kumar Lautoka
Waste to energy
By backing the WTE (waste-to-energy) proposal, EFL is very effectively taking the shortest possible route by passing the buck to help generate energy levels required. How convenient. EFL holds the monopoly or 99.999 per cent. EFL cannot cope with current demands-in my humble and respectful view. Large business entities by compulsion have their very own back-up power generators… including some hospitals too. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Sense of partnership
I wish to commend the leadership and example set by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Fiji. In a time where public confidence in institutions is closely tied to transparency, collaboration, and humility in leadership, it is both refreshing and encouraging to witness a ministry where these values are visibly practiced. Through both their public communications and everyday interactions, there is a clear sense of partnership between the honourable minister and the permanent secretary. What stands out most is the evident mutual respect and shared leadership between the two. Rather than a hierarchical dynamic where one figure dominates the spotlight, their approach reflects a balanced and united front — one that prioritises the work over individual recognition. This was not only apparent through official channels but also in a recent personal observation, where their professional rapport and collegiality were on display in a public setting. Such collaboration is not merely symbolic; it sets a standard for governance. When the political and administrative heads of a ministry work in harmony, it strengthens decision-making, improves accountability, and ultimately benefits the people they serve. It is also particularly encouraging to see this partnership transcend gender dynamics, demonstrating that effective leadership is grounded in respect, competence, and shared purpose. One hopes that this model of cooperative leadership will inspire other ministries to reflect on their own internal dynamics and strive toward a more unified and effective approach to public service. Ash Dee Lautoka
