City braces for explosive clashes
The two explosive clashes in Suva this evening is set to excite and entertain. First up is the Super W semi-final between the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua, against the Western Force. While the Drua will be trying to earn a third consecutive final, the Force is playing in their first-ever semi. The Drua must keep the ball and tighten their defense. They must be mentally and physically prepared for the tough battle. Tactical kicking and making one-on-one tackles will be the key. On the other hand, the clash between the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and the hot ‘cake’ of Super Rugby, the Hurricanes, will thrill. The visitors are unbeaten so far, while the Drua is unbeaten at home, having seen off the Crusaders (20-10), Waratahs (39-36) and Western Force (31-13). The Drua beat the Hurricanes 27-24 last year. The visitors know the challenge that awaits them and how strong the Drua will be at home in front of a passionate crowd ready to welcome our Fijian brothers in the Hurricanes colour Isaia Walker-Leawere, Salesi Rayasi and Kini Naholo. Against the bigger, faster, and mobile ‘Canes forward pack, the Drua must do the basics and retain possession. Apart from their own Fijian brothers, they will face stars like Brad Shields, Du’Plessis Kirifi , TJ Perenara, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Asafo Aumua and Xavier Numia, but they are equally good. A cracker of a match awaits fans! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
The Drua to rise
Can we remain steadfast and focused in the midst a of a mighty Hurricane from the Land of the Long White Cloud? To our advantage this is a home game but to our disadvantage this is a match away from our favourite home ground at Lautoka. What a match this will be between the Drua and the Hurricanes. The visitors will be out to declare a message by stamping their superiority upfront
in the forwards before creating opportunities for their explosive backline. For the home team, the absence of star halfback, Frank Lomani, is a disruption to their cohesion but other players have an opportunity to impress, especially now, that the Drua coach is the new Flying Fijians coach. Will their discipline hold through this encounter which is likened to an acid test? There is much for grabs beyond a victory, as each team will want to ensure a home quarter final match. Rain or sunshine, bring on the Hurricanes. I am banking on both our men and women Drua teams to rise to the occasion. FLOYD ROBINSON Micronesia
Levuka mosquito
Can the Levuka Health Dept in conjunction with the Levuka Town Council, please urgently get a mosquito spraying campaign underway as there seems to be an increase in dengue fever cases or are we waiting for someone to die of dengue before we react? Years ago, the paid Levuka health officers used to walk around the town area (not drive around in air-conditioned vehicles) visiting individual residences and checking on the cleanliness of the properties, blocked drains, etc. Nowadays, they seem all “locked up” in the coziness and comfort of their air-conditioned offices. C’mon mehn… get out into the ‘field’. And what’s happening to the stray dogs issue? Anthony Sahai Levuka, Ovalau
Nadi hospital
Unless we take the courage to speak up and address specific issues, no body hears “silence”. There is enormous congestion at Nadi Hospital GOPD triage — Room 6 for Blood Lab services and Consultation Room 7 for GOPD services. As a 72-year-old civic- minded; law-abiding citizen who spent just over two hours in hospital from 7.08am for regular six monthly blood tests, I finally got home after 10am, somewhat tired (nil by mouth from 7pm, Tuesday, April 16). Can any priority and/or urgency be rendered to over 70 year olds please? The outpatient numbering system could be better categorised, in my view. Many many patients have very simple mind-sets and cannot be taught. They crowd entrance to Lab Room 6. For only one on duty laboratory technician, she had more than a handful handling so many patients. She is only human. Her patience got tested this morning. In my view, blood lab needs to be isolated from numerous GOPD patients. Nadi Hospital must make necessary adjustments to better process patient without over-crowding. I was told one patient collapsed on Wednesday in the heat, humidity and congestion. I raise these issues with utmost respect. Change is necessary. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Political doldrums
Could it be love at first sight that Fiji’s kingmaker board members are in a state of confusion and delusion for craving the holy grail just for their newly elected leader. Since they are in a desperado mode to get their inner voices heard, I’m thinking otherwise, the party really needs professionalism, practical and wise heads to bail them out of the political doldrums. I believe if the kingmaker’s party wants to survive for the future, then they need to stick to their long-term goal rather than bonding for their shortsighted holy grail just to please an individual member. Chi chi, kingmaker man!
AREKI DAWAI Maharaj Pl, Suva
Is it fair
I am no expert on rugby coaching, but find something about the recent process of selecting a national coach disturbing. As I understand it, candidates were interviewed by a panel that comprised mostly speakers of Fijian, but at least one who was not. Therefore, I assume the interview was conducted entirely in English. Was that fair? In my view, no. It put non-native speakers of English at a disadvantage. If a similar situation occurred in, say, Japan, the interview would be conducted in Japanese and a professional interpreter provided for the non-Japanese speaker. Why can we not do the same? Every constitution we have had has forbidden discrimination on the grounds of language, yet we continue to see it every day in almost every facet of life. The demotion of non-English speakers to the status of second-class citizens is a great waste of talent, and potentially destablising. Our governments should have effective communication strategies, and these should acknowledge the fact that for a vast majority of our citizenry English is a foreign language, and we all have a right to be informed and educated in a language we understand. Paul Geraghty USP, Suva
Fiji coach
We now have Mick Byrne as national 15s head coach who hasn’t won a Super Rugby match overseas in the three seasons he has coached the Fijian Drua. The FRU might as well have brought in Mick Beddoes. Sobo! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
High standards
It is unquestionable that this Government has been setting some very high standards in the past 16 months since its election. Such high standards have never been set by any previous government since independence. From the fearless Prime Minister to the three DPMs, to the senior ministers and even in the COC. I have always maintained that the people of Fiji are truly blessed that they have elected a Government they truly deserve and their exuberance is certainly justified as is evident 16 months down the line. Jan Nissar Sydney, NSW, Australia
Road, swimming pool
Can the authorities please fix the road on Musuniwai St, Lautoka. The state of the road is pathetic and nothing has been done so far. The potholes can make you tumble upside down. While on that, any update on the Lautoka swimming pool? Kirti Patel Mohan Singh Pl, Lautoka
Electrification project
I just got back from Taveuni and Namosi and in both places that I stayed were complaints regarding the rural electrification project in that many people who had paid to have their homes wired and electricity connected were still awaiting the service. People have paid! What’s the problem? Why is it that some homes have electricity while others don’t? Noleen Billings Savusavu
Letter writers
Arvind Mani writes: “Mr Deoki frequently writes in the letters to the editor section of The Fiji Times. His opinions are always topical and thoughtful, unlike some letter writers who write just about anything to see their name in print.” Thank you Mr Mani, I am one of the writers who write about anything to see my name in print. I will try my best to cut down on my letter writing. Sukha Singh Labasa
Migrating Fijians
Fijians have been migrating since independence. I believe it was worse after the 2013 Constitution was introduced. Dan Urai Lautoka
Banking ombudsman
With all the talk about a cash-less society and the impending withdrawal of cheque books in favour of online banking, I wonder if we need a banking ombudsman? What about a card-less society instead? Just wondering! Daniel Fatiaki Suva
Crypto currency
The use of cryptocurrency, seems so inevitable, It’s today’s reality and economies need to be adaptable. Fiat currency, will soon be old school, replaced by digital currency, as our financing tool. That’s the way the world will be, as we become more digital. Cash and cheques will be obsolete, as crypto becomes inevitable! It’s all part of the Great Reset show, there’s little we can do about it. We just have to embrace the flow, so as to survive and move with it. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Going frenzy
Foreign cryptocurrency media sites are going frenzy after the Reserve Bank of Fiji declared that such virtual assets are not recognised in Fiji. (FT 18/04) Cryptocurrency is a type of virtual or digital money that uses cryptography to manage the generation of new units and ensure secure transactions. Cryptocurrencies function on decentralised networks built on blockchain technology, which guarantees transparency and immutability, in contrast to traditional currencies. Cryptocurrencies have inherent risks even though they may have advantages like decentralisation, cheaper transaction fees, and enhanced privacy. Volatility is a major risk; investors may suffer a financial loss if cryptocurrency values fluctuate significantly in a short amount of time. Furthermore, because cryptocurrencies are decentralised, users may be exposed to security risks and legal implications as a result of fraud, hacking, and regulatory uncertainty. Further increasing the hazards involved with digital currencies ownership and use is the lack of centralised authority, which implies there is no way to recover lost or stolen currency. As a result, before utilising or investing in cryptocurrencies, people should proceed with caution and do extensive research. DINESH KUMAR Ba
Illegal street racing
The LTA has expressed severe concern over videos circulating on social media screening irresponsible driving and illegal car racing. While authorities have vowed to crack down and reprimand inconsiderate drivers and their recklessness, I urge them to set up checkpoints along the scenic Marine Drive here in Lautoka to curb such undesirable conduct. Visibility and presence will surely be a deterrent. This stretch of road along the seawall has become a hotbed for unlawful drag races on casual Sunday afternoons, when majority of Lautokans including senior citizens congregate on this leisure hotspot. With a deliberate disregard for the rule of law, these discourteous drivers with their illegally modified rides and blaring mufflers pose an extreme threat to public safety.
Being a regular to the Marine Drive myself to burn off those few added calories, I sometimes wish these wannabe “Formula One” contenders miscalculate their driving ability and end up in the sea. That would probably teach them the meaning of being humble in life. Alternatively, a few brutal back slaps would also help knock some degree of sense into their embryonic skulls. Nishant Singh
Lautoka
