Preparation for Easter
Adi Cakobau School is determined to reclaim lost glory in the Fiji Finals girl’s division. They concluded their inter-house on a high note. Congratulations to Kakala House for being crowned overall champions of the inter-house competition. Kakala, which completed a treble, collected 17 gold medals, ahead of Uci with 16, Lagakali with 10 and Mokosoi with eight gold medals. In the senior grade, Kakala collected seven gold medals, and delivered a strong performance in other grades. Now that ACS has completed their inter-house, they must turn their attention to the NNN Zone and the Fiji Finals. MGM High School, which also concluded their inter-house, stunned everyone last year with a huge gap on the overall medal tally in the girl’s division but then 2026 is another athletics year. At both school’s inter-house competitions, talents were on the card. The cheering united the students and trust me, both schools will be coming out with guns blazing. With former track queen Makelesi Bulikiobo at the helm as the head coach of ACS, expect something special and stunning from the traditional giants of athletics. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Road railway crossing
The Fiji Sugar Corporation railway track crosses the main road at the approach to the Votualevu roundabout from Namaka side and also at the Naisoso Rd junction. In both places, the road material on both sides of the tracks have come out causing vehicle tyres to ripple over it. Of the two locations, the Naisoso junction is particularly serious and a safety hazard. At this site, the gaps between the tracks and the road is so deep that tracks dip about four inches when vehicles pass over it and bounces back upwards another three inches once vehicles have crossed over. On its upwards bounce, there is real chance that the tracks could hit the undercarriage of small vehicles and cause damage. There is also a traffic light at the Naisoso junction so you can’t just catch the green light because you cannot drive any faster than at a snail’s pace over the tracks. By the time you cross the track, the lights change to red. All that is needed to fix the gaps is about 10 wheel barrows of asphalt, a portable compactor and most importantly an active and a go-getter person at FRA to rectify the hazardous situation. Too much to ask FRA to fix the road or you are being tossed around by political interference? Ajai Kumar Nadi
Time to deliver
It’s time to address the deteriorating condition of the old Nadi Back Rd bridge near the Standard Concrete quarry before something serious happens. This single-lane concrete bridge has served us well, but I believe it’s no longer safe. With that in mind, let’s not delay any further or risk waiting until a disaster strikes. Let’s make the construction of the replacement bridge our highest priority. I urge the town authorities to discuss this critical issue with the Government and push for a modern double-lane bridge. However, as we await the realisation of this essential project, let us proceed with the installation of traffic lights to facilitate an orderly flow of traffic across the bridge. With the traffic signals, drivers can clearly determine when to move forward and when to halt. The signals provide drivers with a reasonable opportunity to cross the bridge. If my recollection is accurate, I recall that the signal lights were previously present. Our town thrives on tourism, yet the state of some roads and bridges fails to represent that. When will the millions in taxes collected each year be directed toward essential upgrades? Nadi undoubtedly holds a crucial role in matters related to taxes. We cannot continue to prolong such a significant issue indefinitely. Discussion time is over, time to deliver. Suresh Chand Nadi
Potholes galore
It seems our roads, whichever sealed roads one drives on, potholes will greet you anytime of the day. It comes in different sizes and depths and if a driver is not careful your vehicle will become a victim of pothole assault. Annually vehicle owners try their very best to keep their vehicle in top shape so that when the time is due for fitness, it is passed without any issues. On the other hand, road monitoring from relevant authorities does their due diligence ensuring that all vehicles are in tip top shape and road worthy to be driven on our roads. Now the question, I wish to ask who monitors the potholes, is it FRA or LTA if no entity monitors these potholes. I believe this is one of the many reasons our roads are riddled with potholes. I would suggest it is time now for establishing a pothole monitoring unit, which should identify the pothole population throughout Fiji, different sizes and depths of each pothole, the cost of repairing one pothole depending on its size and depth, men hours and materials needed to repair one pothole, type of materials used to repair these potholes, After repairs, how soon does the pothole appear again, maybe due to the weather, area climate, not so good materials or repairs was not done to the required standard. The unit should also monitor the annual dollar value of repairing all potholes and then divide it by division, breakdown by towns/cities and then further breakdown by road. I believe by doing this, it may identify whether we are fighting a winning or losing battle in managing potholes on Fiji roads. If not we will be still fighting this issue as is, where is, as in the past, now in the present and into the future. Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
Comparing electricity rates
Energy Fiji Ltd wants to raise the electricity rates for commercial customers. At the same time they are saying that New Zealand has cheaper rates for commercial customers than Fiji. So I am wondering what is NZ doing which is good for the economy of that country which Fiji cannot do? After all we do have a cheaper labour force than NZ. Technically, maybe commercial customers in Fiji should have lower rates than NZ. I am wondering if anyone else has the same thoughts on the matter and if the Commerce Commission has some say on this matter, before any rates are allowed to be raised. Dinesh Jamnadas Sugar Avenue, Lautoka
Magistrate’s directive
It is mind boggling to read in the news that a magistrate had to issue directives to certain senior lawyers not to make public comments on their case which is still before the court (FT 18/2). I thought that was elementary legal protocol and etiquette. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
FCCC announcement
There is a general lowering in performance standards observed in both government officers or statutory organisation personnel. The latest Commerce Commission ‘muddle in the puddle’ announcement of 51 per cent people voting for the electricity price increase is ludicrous and absurd. FCCC should’ve thought about the public reaction such announcements will bring upon them. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Second chance
What’s cool about Lent is that it falls just about the time that our new year’s resolutions have fallen to the wayside. Use Lent as a reminder of all the things you wanted to do to make 2026 a better year. It’s your second chance. Have a holy and blessed season of Lent. PS: My better half’s resolution of giving up sugar fizzled out within the first week. Kemudou Aralai! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Drug tests
Who would object to amending the law to enable compulsory drug testing for all? Dan Urai Lautoka
So poor
Everyone is complaining about poor road condition, poor service by government agencies, poor water supply, poor drainage, poor ground conditions, poor boat services, poor taxi services, poor people and the poor list is a never-ending list. Narayan Reddy Lautoka
Job, words and traffic
Admirable words!
“You never bow down to injustice.” Strong words! Admirable words spoken publicly by former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. On principle alone, few would disagree with him. A nation depends on citizens and leaders alike refusing to bend before injustice. Yet words of this weight invite close scrutiny – not applause alone, but comparison with record and reality. It’s precisely because the statement is so powerful that many readers may feel compelled to examine who’s saying it, and what occurred during the years when he and former prime minister Frank Bainimarama held the highest levels of authority in the land. Can one speak against injustice without first accounting for the injustices widely alleged under one’s own stewardship? It’s a sobering question! The truth is that Fiji witnessed a constitution introduced without what many citizens believed was full and transparent consultation across all sectors of society. We saw sweeping decrees that critics argue disadvantaged vulnerable groups, including old-age pensioners who lost hard-earned savings and have yet to see meaningful restoration. We experienced tight controls over media expression that chilled open criticism and narrowed the space for democratic dissent. These aren’t minor footnotes — they’re central concerns that shaped the lived experience of many Fijians. It’s not unjust to raise these questions. It’s civic duty. Moral authority isn’t claimed through rhetoric. It’s earned through conduct, accountability and humility. When leaders who once wielded extraordinary power speak today as champions against injustice, the public is entitled to ask: “Where was that resistance when the machinery of power was in your hands?” True justice requires consistency. It requires acknowledgement. It requires ownership of past decisions and their consequences. A call to stand against injustice is always welcome. But it rings hollow when it comes without reflection, without accountability and without apology to those who bore the cost and some who continue to bear the suffering of those injustices. If we’re to build a more just Fiji, let us begin not with slogans, but with honest reckoning, honest reflection and honest responsibility and accountability for our actions! Colin Deoki Australia
Frequent job vacancies
I wish to raise a concern regarding the increasing frequency of job advertisements by a local manufacturing company, which regularly appear on MyJobsFiji. Over the past months and probably year, I have noticed repeated advertisements for similar positions from the same company. While job creation is always welcome, the consistent nature of these vacancies raises questions about staff retention and workplace stability. Frequent recruitment may indicate high employee turnover, which can sometimes be linked to issues such as working conditions, remuneration, management practices, or limited career progression. These are important matters that affect workers’ wellbeing and long-term productivity. I believe greater transparency from employers and stronger monitoring by relevant authorities could help ensure that workers are treated fairly and that workplaces meet acceptable labour standards. I raise this not to discredit any company, but in the interest of promoting healthy, stable, and sustainable employment practices in Fiji. Peceli Alistir Waitolu, Naitasiri
Traffic and domestic trouble
One fine morning a few days ago, well, night (it was 4am) while assisting her with preparing breakfast and lunch, my wife suggested that the traffic situation could lead to divorce! What exaggeration, I said. This week it has already come to a few verbal spats, however, calmed before the xyzs came out. Us gang at home, since we all deal with education, somehow remain sober even in our 200 degrees frustration and anger. Living five kilometres from the kids’ school, waking them up before 5am is torture and we parents could be charged for it. Thankfully, there’s little democracy in my house. I think I will fix the gang a BBQ every Friday as a reward for bearing with us. The mental trauma is reaching tipping point now. Couples could be parting ways soon. Some psychologist could explain better. One should listen to the hilarious solutions offered by some gang who have no idea about anything. Even flying cars are being speculated, let alone the trains and all. Donald Singh Nausori
