Ratu Filise running hot
It’s great to see that one of Fiji’s traditional 7s giants Ratu Filise has started winning 7s tournaments. In the 1990s, Ratu Filise was a power to be reckoned with as the boys from the Coral Coast dominated the local 7s scene. I learnt this while I listened to Graham Eden’s commentaries and realised that the powerhouse of Fiji rugby had the skills and flair that made them win tournaments. However, clubs such as Prisons, Army, Police, Yamacia, Westfield Babaas and Wardens emerged frontrunners in the millennium. I urge FRU to think about re-introducing the 7s series that we had when Fiji won the WRSS for the first time. The BP Oil 7s series then had produced a number of players who went on to represent our 7s team and win international tournaments. We have an abundance of players but we need to expose them in competitive local 7s tournaments and make an impact on the WRSS tournaments. Go FRU, grab it! RAJNESH ISHAWAR LINGHAM, Nadawa, Nasinu
48-hour meeting
Oh dear, a 48-hour continuous meeting, isa the poor members of Parliament. Forty-eight hours is a long time to conduct a meeting. People will start losing concentration, and thinking will become irrational for some. Sobo, couldn’t the meeting have been broken down into say at the most eight-hour periods with the MPs returning home to have a good rest, freshen up and return? Even eight hours is very long for normal human beings to sit and concentrate. Mere Lagilagi Lovu, Lautoka
Urgent meeting
For a coup country, we have come a long way in our return to democracy. We now even have a 48-hour “urgent meeting” where members of Parliament dedicate themselves to discussing “low hanging fruits” in the national interest (Sayed-Khaiyum: It was an urgent meeting FT 14/12). Australia is a first-world democracy. But there has never been such an urgent meeting here — even for climate change! Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
A role model
Congratulations Dr Amar Singh, for attaining your PhD degree in management, which is the first, and I am sure of many more to come for the fast-growing University of Fiji (FT 15/12). Dr Singh’s thesis topic, “Factors causing decline in Fiji’s sugarcane production”, with particular focus on sugarcane production in Lomawai, Sigatoka, must be considered by the ailing sugar industry in light of the challenges facing these far-flung sugarcane growing sectors. The dominant challenge is the cane transportation cost, exacerbated by the deplorable service provided by FSC’s railway system. There are opportunities highlighted; however, these need to be stacked up against the rising wave of tourism development taking place in the region. Samu Railoa Nadi
Stray dogs
In the stray dog photo from the streets of Lautoka, I wouldn’t call it an eyesore, but rather heavy-hearted or sorrow. It’s sad that at least two of the eight dogs in the photo were females. If female dogs and cats were desexed, they’d not only be healthier but more importantly wouldn’t continue to give birth every 4-6 months to multiple offspring. Sure, it’s beneficial for the male dogs to get desexed too, but they’re not the “baby machines”. Desexing all female dogs and cats is the only humane way to control society’s overpopulation. We must become proactive rather than observe, if we want real change. Julie Seidman Taveuni
In the workforce
The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Employment collaborated to make the School Employment Exposure Program (SEEP) where Year 11 students of certain schools are sent to work and experience the workforce. I am also part of it and currently employed by Value City accounts with allowances and bus fares paid and would like to thank the initiators for such an opportunity to explore the “other life”. So far the ‘SEEP’ has started in the Central Division but hopefully the other parts of the country will get to experience this highly important exposure scheme. The two-week program will surely nurture the students to the best of what is needed in the workplace. It always seemed easy for me to see my parents and other workers with their jobs but in my first week so far, I have already learnt to appreciate and respect the hard work they put in. Raynav Chand Nakasi
Trump and climate change
I refer to your editorial in the edition FT 14/12. You seem to paint POTUS, Donald J Trump as a detractor of the climate accords even to the extent that POTUS suggested climate change science was a hoax. You have omitted, deliberately or otherwise, the vital fact that POTUS and others like him including prominent scientists agree there is climate change, but disagree that it is man’s contribution via carbon dioxide pollution is what is causing it. That is a significant fact and its omission paints POTUS and those like him in a bad light, undeservedly. Mareko Vuli Wainibuku Rd, Nasinu
Public service
The Minister for Health, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, speaking during his recent tour at the Labasa Hospital, reminded his staff around the country not to forget their important role as the country gets into the festive season. Dr Waqainabete also stated that he wanted his ministry to improve its service and ‘up it a notch’ in 2019 (FT 11/12). Minister for Fisheries, Semi Koroilavesau, while addressing the ministerial assignment, Priorities and Performance Framework meeting held at the Holiday Inn, encouraged senior fisheries officers to work harder and deliver on services required of the ministry (FT 11/12). Both are obviously well aware that public service needs to improve so that Government can deliver the performance the nation needs and expects. We are all well aware that government delivery and service needs to up its efficiency and productivity by several notches. To work for Government is to want to help people and to have the passion to serve. Working for government is not just about getting a paycheck but it’s more about serving and making a difference. Civil service employees are the key to whether our Government does a good job for the nation, and that is a huge responsibility. The change has got to start from the top in providing and ensuring that each ministry and department have the funds, people, equipment, and other resources to carry out their responsibilities and duties well, and once this is provided for, the responsibility of delivering an efficient, productive service lies with our civil service employees to make it happen. You are all in an arena where real change can happen and where your good work can touch and better the lives of all Fijians. Lose yourselves in the service of others because your change will basically make a change! Simon Hazelman Savusavu
7s ruggers
Everyone loves 7s. It has brought enormous publicity. It has brought smiles on our faces when we needed it most. The question here is what is our contribution towards the game or players. Please don’t tell me that we only pray and support during games. Just imagine if all those above 30k threshold give out $1 each towards the team every year … our players will never ever leave for greener pastures. A-G activate this please. A. SHARIFF SHAH Savusavu
Health risk
Shirley Park hotel development, or lack of it presents the close-by Lautoka City Council the most health risk. Inspectors? What say you? Manoj Lal Patel Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Level 9
Our grog session on Saturday night was on a lockdown. One of the chaps said when I mixed the grog — “Boy, level 9 saraga this mix.” Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Rape cases
What is the last published newspaper which did not have an article on a rape case? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Be truthful
WE are constantly being told not to tell lies but always speak the truth. I think it’s time that we all did some soul searching to check if we are practising what we are preaching to others. I believe if you tell one lie then you will have to say a thousand more lies to cover that lie. And believe me people are not fools. They know when one is lying and when one is telling the truth. So you are only fooling yourself if you think you can get away with that lie. And lies will always come back to haunt you. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
World record
ONE hell of a massive strategic meeting of government ministers in a confined space! That I believe could make it into the Guinness World Records 2018. AREKI DAWAI Suva
48-hour event
It’s no laughing matter when government members of Parliament hold a strategic meeting over two days, sleeping there and sacrificing time with family. They all deserve a medal for obedience. Dan Urai Lautoka
