Letters to the Editor – August 17

The Hibiscus festival
Your editorial comment on the Hibiscus Festival being a centre stage for charity is supported. Whether it is the contestants getting stage fright for the first time or the vendors selling their food and products, or the people pitching in to make the event lively, the essence of the week-long event is to promote charity.
Whether we are attending or not, we should not forget the worthy cause of this event.
To the sponsors and all stakeholders involved and everyone including me and you, spare a thought for the under privileged and those in need of funds as the true meaning of charity is prayers go up and blessings come down. So do whatever we can to help in charity. My first thought is for those volunteers who are helping clean up the place and keeping our environment clean without a cost. Go HEGI, go Hibiscus and go green. Joka kece!
Shalwyn Prasad
Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva

Building better
Reading Kiniviliame Keteca’s letter to this column 16/08 titled “Building bridges” reminds me of some roadwork happening in Navua. Mr Keteca was highlighting a comment by the A-G saying; “We do not want to be like previous governments where you build a bridge and 10 years later you will have to rebuild it.”
Most of the time we hear the A-G, PM, and the Minister for Local Government and Urban Development saying that this government, unlike others, is committed to building back stronger and better
However, according to what I have witnessed lately in Navua with regard to road upgrading, it seems to say something different.
Last year a thorough road upgrading was done on the road leading to Navua Town where the old tarsealed road was taken out completely and a new uplift and tarseal was done.
Nevertheless, I was surprised when just yesterday morning 16/08 as I was traveling to Suva, part of that same road was taken out again. I wonder what has happened to building back stronger and better?
Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane, Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua

Soccer victory
I would like to congratulate the Vunimono High School girls’ soccer team for winning this year’s girls’ open grade, beating Xavier College 4-3 on penalties. It has been a great performance by my old school. Finally the hard work has paid off and the hardworking staff and the team deserve it.
A morale boost for the Nausori-based school. I am proud to be connected to this school. When I was there in 2014, Vunimono High School started the platform to build a girls’ team through the ranks when the likes of Abhay Chand, Mr Prasad, Mr Isikeli and other PEMAC teachers, including non-PEMAC teachers were at the school. Some teachers of the past may have left but the progress has continued. The girls’ open grade team played very well. A hard fought victory for VHS and congratulations to Xavier girls’ team for making it through the final.
Thank you Vunimono High for laying the platform for the girls’ soccer team. I hope the boys’ team can do the same in years to come. Have a well organised party.
Amrit Singh, Naselai Bau Road, Nausori

Sense of patriotism
Patriotism is the feeling of love and respect of your country, its history and traditions. Patriotism is a natural and probably the most important factor of the country’s success, because if people are patriots, they work hard for the development of their country.
I believe people who do not love their country and have no idea about its traditions and history are not able to be called people of this country. They are simple citizens, who just live on its territory.
Patriotism is not the love towards the territory of the country, it is the love towards the traditions and people who live on this territory, so it is important to have a patriotic feeling in order to show respect towards the ones who have contributed to the development of the country and its current peaceful conditions.
Children are the future of every country and if they love this country, they would strive to improve it further. Patriotism is not the humiliation of other ethnicities; it is a natural love and respect towards the country and this attitude should exist in everyone if he or she wants his or her country to be prosperous.
True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.
DHARMENDRA KUMAR, Rewa St, Suva

Taxi permits
What happened to the screening process which is normally done before when issuing taxi permits and other business licences?
I believe a barrel draw to determine those to be issued with taxi permits is the biggest joke ever.
I believe transparency and accountability does not mean a barrel draw and cannot be determined only by the barrel.
I believe it would have been better to call all those who qualified to be permit holders to come forward and have a game of ‘sapui’ (a hand game — rock, scissors, paper) and the winner be given the permit. Now I can see why it is often said when you try to please everybody you please nobody.
Pita Soroaqali, Nadarivatu

Wage battle
I believe the Fijian economy has doubled in size in the past 10 years and economic forecast is to grow above 3 per cent as well.
When will the wages grow for the workers who strive daily to bring about this change?
How many more years of waiting is forecast for the workers of this country to rise above the minimum wage rate set at $2.68 per hour?
I believe not all workers are receiving $2.68 per hour and there are many workers who are still paid $2.68 or less per hour.
I believe Fiji is now witnessing a declining trend in unemployment, opportunities are created for more jobs, compulsory savings membership is increasing but what is being done to increase the minimum wage rate?
If the ruling government cannot increase the minimum wage to $5 an hour as one of the political party has outlined to do so if they come into power, then at least the FijiFirst government should consider an increase from $2.68 to $3.50 or even $3.75.
Minimum wage earners or those workers who are paid less than the minimum wage amount also deserve to enjoy, celebrate the success of the Fijian economic growth, after all workers are striving for the growth of this country.
I believe the FijiFirst government can at least give a raise of $0.82 in minimum wage rate, taking the minimum wage rate level to $3.50 this year, gradually adding on as Fiji advances.
Gulsher Ali, Lautoka

Fish issue
It was just a joke to me regarding the confiscated fish hence my sarcastic comments until the minister decided to reply. So now on a more serious note!
To the Fisheries Minister, honourable Semi Koroilavesau. What happened to all the banned fish that was confiscated and also from illegal fishing? Are all confiscated fish to date being recorded?
Wouldn’t it have been better that these fish were cooked and fed to the homeless?
I trust that you will practise good governance and transparency and reply with the answers to my questions.
From your humble servant.
Wise Muavono, Balawa, Lautoka

Swimming past
I think I will swim past the fish issue. If the ministry will not make it public, it’s best I carry on with life.
Let the fish story die out.
To all of you who asked me to write about it, I am so sorry I couldn’t get a reply.
But hold the phone, I did get a reply, it was a fishy one.
Dan and Wise, I am in Suva and I will be going fishing on Saturday.
Do you want some fish? I will be returning to Lautoka at the weekend just don’t tell anyone what kind of fish I will give you.
Bahoot fishy story, nah.
Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka

Those fish
Can authorities please come clean and promptly advise Allen and his crew about the fate of those “missing” fish?
I believe it’s okay even if that free catch ended up in someone’s choola as donu vakalolo or kawakawa surwa.
We are a nation blessed with freebies so why not?
Half the puzzle solved I suppose.
Nishant Singh, Lautoka

Traffic chaos
Can any of the political parties contesting the upcoming general elections please explain to me how are they planning to combat the traffic chaos along the Suva-Nausori corridor? In simple English would be just fine.
Wise Muavono, Balawa, Lautoka