Letters to the Editor – December 10, 2019

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Boxing – Andy Ruiz Jr v Anthony Joshua – IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Titles – Diriyah Arena, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia – December 7, 2019. Andy Ruiz Jr in action with Anthony Joshua. Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Still my champions

Battle on the Dunes, featuring Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz was much talked about by many. Some went to the extent of posting on social media and saying that AJ is not a worthy champ. This is my 2 cent thought on this. AJ did what any champ would do, learn from his mistakes and play against his opponent’s strength. He did go back to the drawing board and with his team devised strategies to beat Ruiz. He knows Ruiz cannot be beaten upfront so game plans were conceived on how he can play against Ruiz strength. He shed 11 pounds knowing Ruiz is heavy. With that the plan to hit and back off really worked out well for him. By all means he is still the people’s champion. Likewise for our Fiji 7s team. Other teams have learned to play against Fiji’s strength. The coaching team needs to devise strategies to counter other teams’ strengths and exploit their weaknesses. Anyway as AJ says, stay humbled, stay hungry. All the best to our 7s team this week and big congratulation to the WBA, WBF, IBO, IBF heavyweight champion of the world. Still my champs. Sowani Vito Naivilali, Nawaikama, Gau

Ratepayers to pay up

So when ratepayers had control over their city and town constituencies, they didn’t collect city and town rates amounting to a staggering $32 million. Amnesty period is up and it’s time to face the music. I now see why many ratepayers are jumping up and down about the new system. The goose-stepping days are over and it’s time to face reality and be accountable. I find that pretty amusing. Simon Hazelman Rava Estate, Savusavu

Our own plane

Yes Fiji should have its own plane, especially for climate change trips. Sukha Singh Labasa

Kiwi fruit

Globetrotting kai JB, who is apparently now in NZ, I don’t think the appointed special administrators would even consider running in municipal elections, as I feel that’s not what they’re actually about. How’s Kiwi fruit. Nigel Fiu Owls Perch, Lautoka

Medical kit

THESE foreigners who hired my cab for a long distance travel, unfortunately one of the travellers was feeling sick which I reckon was because of hot humid weather and long distance. I was asked if I carried painkillers or travelling pills? Well I replied back, I do have panadol (paracetamol) which we are required to carry in first aid kit box. I made myself clear as it’s not a prescribed medication and it’s a requirement that I should carry it in my first aid kit box. My next best option to the traveller was either I stop over at a nearest hospital/ health centre or to give out the panadol if the traveller opted to. The question I was asked by the travellers was that, ‘are you allowed to give panadol to travellers? Is it being approved by relevant authorities?’ How about the travelling passenger gets more sick after taking panadol which I gave out of my first aid kit? What if the passenger sues me? Will LTA defend my back? LTA can you please shade over the shadows in regards to the use and issue of first aid kit items stored in first aid kit box? Shamal Chand Kuku Bau Rd, Nausori

Many resources

Fiji has many resources such as river gravel and it’s easy for the landowner to allow the contractor to come, dig and they get paid. On top of that their men may also get employed during the excavation. So now we read (FT 09/12) that river gravel extraction has been identified as one of the risks threatening the supply of safe and clean water in the country. The revelation was made in a report recently released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), titled Baseline Assessment of Development Minerals in Fiji. According to the report, river gravel extraction was having a negative impact on sanitation and the availability of clean water for Fijian communities. The Water Authority of Fiji says the impact on water supply will depend on certain areas on which river gravel extraction was taking place. This is where the authorities should go and talk to the people so that they understand the problem. They need to be told that their resources are important for the future generation. River gravel may not last forever and if over exploited, what will happen. Thank you The Fiji Times for this report. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Lautoka

Important message

Honourable Mereseini Vuniwaqa, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, I fully concur with your profound statement on page two of yesterday’s (9/12) The Fiji Times. Yes, as a nation, we must be fully conscious of this “evil trend that is threatening the way of life of Fijian people”. This trend and threat are most profound in the heart and purpose of God’s creation: marriage and family. “Let us create mankind in our own image, and let them rule” ….over the world of creation. God’s purposes for marriage and family are challenged by an opposing force. Satan! Satan’s power is threatened by couples who are becoming one therefore Satan concentrates his major attack on them. It began with Adam and Eve and has become so profound, cancerous and disastrous in families to date. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” As Christmas is drawing near, remember, your husband/wife is not your enemy. Satan is. Furthermore, remember, you husband and your wife are God’s gift to each other. Finally, marriage provides the divine context for having children. “And God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the Earth’”. So dad and mum, raise your children in such a way so that you leave a godly legacy as you depart from this wonderful Earth. Pita K Nacuva Tamavua Ward, Suva

Tough pool

The defending champions have been put in a tough pool alongside the hosts, the USA Eagles and the invitational Japanese side. Fiji survived a scare against Japan prevailing (24-17) in Dubai and this time around in Cape Town the Japanese will be out to settle scores. Ironically, on our way to winning the Cape Town 7s last year Fiji beat South Africa (17-12) in the semis and the USA (29-15) in the final as the likes of Tuimaba, Botitu and Derenalagi, who were not known on the circuit, gained much fame and popularity. Fans were shocked with Fiji’s performance in Dubai but many are hopeful for a better outing in Cape Town. Fiji will be up against Dubai 7s champions South Africa who thrashed NZ (15-0) and the likes of Dry, Oosthuizen, Sage, Zain and Selvyn Davids, Pretorius, Soyizwapi, Specman, Geduld, Arendse, Nel and Senatla in their backyard and the likes of Isles, Broselle, Barrett, Leuta, Schroeder, Williams, Fuala’au, Unufe, Tomain, Hughes, Baker and Brown for the USA in pool play. South Africa leads the pack with 22 points while the USA has 10 points. Every bit of patience and hardwork is needed in Cape Town to turn around our Dubai 7s misfortune. It’s far from over boys –– we know what you are capable of! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu

For democracy

While it’s true to say that democracy is totally and ultimately about the people, for the people and by the people, it can also be true to conclude that the people are not often totally about democracy or for democracy, as proven by history. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour

Dry weather

The hot and dry weather experienced here in the West ain’t no joke. If you listen carefully in complete silence, you’d almost hear the grass and plants whispering, kere wai! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka

Fijiana effort

The Fijiana proved critics such as me wrong by making it to the Dubai 7s quarters. Despite losing to Australia (38-0) in the first match, our girls drew against Spain (19-19) and then thumped Ireland (28-12). Our girls then did well against NZ in the quarters although they lost (24-10) as the Ferns went on to win the Dubai 7s title. The much-improved performance has also seen the Fijiana climb to eighth spot on the points table with 10 points. Thank you the Fijiana for doing well in Dubai and all the best for Cape Town! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu

Thank you

Thank you Simon for re-emphasising hardship in Fiji (FT9/12). Many are doing without yaqona, cigarettes and alcohol or other recreational items. It’s the cost of food that needs to be reviewed and reduced. Dan Urai Hanoi, Vietnam

Selection criteria

Just weeks into her role, the chairperson of the special administrators of Lautoka City Council and Ba Town Council resigned. Can one question the selection criteria and process? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka

The opposite

It is true to say that one can develop adaptation and mitigation strategies to protect lives and properties from the damaging effects of natural disasters. The opposite can also be true. In other words, the devastations and damage caused by natural disasters can hasten the development of adaptation and mitigation strategies which are aimed at protecting lives and properties. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour

Serious question

The resignation of the chairperson of the special administrators for Lautoka and Ba raises some serious questions on how they were appointed. Were proper procedures followed for the appointment? John Brown Auckland, New Zealand

Lost for words

The side grass on our street (Hedstrom Place) is brown and almost dead from nil rainfall. Still the council contractor sent their tractor-driven grass cutting machine to trim the grass. I was lost for words! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka

 

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