Pre-COP
It was interesting to hear the MECC Minister talking about opening the forthcoming pre-COP, a UNFCCC event, to all civil society groups with unfretted access and seats at the negotiating table. This must be a first for any Party of the UNFCCC and the GOF needs to be congratulated for setting this unprecedented but welcome initiative.
We also read the various briefings to the diplomatic corps and other foreign interests by the PS with a host of accompanying self-promotional videos.
With only about a month to go, we await, with abated breath, for a statement to Fiji’s Parliament, on the organisation, scope and arrangements for this major event and how the $150m contribution will be sent. This has already attracted debate in Australia with Chris Bowen being asked to justify, to the Aussie taxpayers, this allocation for a talkfest.
The money is certainly not going to be for implementation at the grassroots, to assist with the climate change impacts, including the super El Nino, projected to impact Fiji. The $150m is by far the largest fraction of the total climate change allocated for the Pacific for the next 10 years!
It has also been reported that most leaders of the member countries are not coming to the meeting, raising questions on its intended utility and that Australia is ultimately driving the agenda. Whoever pays the piper, plays the song!
Altauf Chand Minto, NSW, Australia
Taxi stand
I wish to draw the attention of the Nausori Town Council and relevant authorities to the concerning condition at Taxi Stand No. 1 in Nausori Town. (Dunstan Street)
Large pieces of broken road asphalt have been placed within the taxi stand area.
These heavy chunks are creating a significant hazard for light passenger vehicles, with vehicles frequently striking them and potentially sustaining damage.
The situation has also made it difficult for taxidrivers to safely manoeuvre and park their vehicles within the rank.
The stand should provide a safe and accessible area for both taxi operators and passengers, rather than becoming an obstacle course.
With many taxis and passengers using this area daily, I sincerely hope that the Nausori Town Council and other relevant authorities will take heed of these concerns and arrange for the large asphalt pieces to be removed or broken down into smaller pieces as soon as possible.
Shamal Chand Kuku Village, Nausori
Road to nowhere!
The section between Daikoku Restaurant and McDonalds in Martintar Nadi, notorious for its potholes, has had a great facelift. Its crowning glory are the three lanes with uninterrupted lines. Can LTA and the Police please explain how these three lanes work? Who has right of way? There seems to be a danger of headlong collisions if cars from both sides take the middle lane! As someone who has driven all over the world, I’m missing something here! I’m guess like most drivers, I’m sticking to the inner lanes, unless turning right to the Nadi Plaza!
Bernard Chandra Naisoso, Nadi
FNPF issue
To the chairman, CEO and board members of the FNPF please know this from a betrayed senior pensioner, celebrating 60 of helping pensioners is grossly false advertising.
FNPF buckled under the weight of FB and ASK to deny 2012 pensioners their hard earned irrevocable pensioners. What a farce! Wholesale joke too. Downright shameful.
This is Fiji’s national shame at the courtesy of Fiji and the South Pacific’s greatest financial institution.
Sadly, FNPF has taken this low road.
(I believe when one starts to believe their own lies, they are dangerous. The truth will prevail in God’s perfect time. God-fearing people do not hurt fellow mankind in their twilight years).
Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Our Fiji
Churches, mosques and temples remain empty even though it’s free.
Nightclubs, towns and cities, shops remain full even though it’s expensive.
Yet we complain about high cost of living and low wages.
Shariff Shah Savusavu
Youth day
Avenai Seretabua commenting on “Empowering Fiji Youth” (FT16/8) on celebrating youth day is a major concern for all of us. Youths are always supposed to be empowered, activated as they are our assets for our future generations.
If you view the world the same as at 50 as you did at 20, you have wasted 30 years of your life.
“The youths of today are leaders of tomorrow.”- Neslson Mandella.
Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Paradise no more
What an irony that in four decades of Independence Fiji had four coups and all the subsequent constitutional talks and constitution remaking and what we have in today’s Fiji society. We have children as young as 10 becoming trapped in drug addiction with all the associated problems linked to it.
How have we come to be in this state of societal decay?
We didn’t have this state of degeneracy pre-coup, did we?
It is a telling indictment of post-coup leadership in the country in a broad sense – self-absorbed political leadership, poor parenting, poor role modelling by Adults, community neglect, the prolification of drug and pornography.
Will our preoccupation with framing another constitution address our social decay?
Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Prophet Muhammad!
Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is a time to reflect on his principles. Prophet Muhammad was a role model for us, as he demonstrated high ethical standards. He was an exemplary figure who showed honesty, consistency, compassion, empathy, humility, and resourcefulness throughout his lifetime. His inspiring example teaches us more than just wisdom. It inspires us to practice these virtues in our daily lives and pursue a life of virtue and integrity to live with purpose and honour. The Muslim community has contributed tremendously towards Fiji’s economic development, and we must respect and value their hard work and commitment. Hatred aside, it’s time to spread goodwill and unconditional love! Fiji’s cultural and religious diversity are rich. We are so blessed to live in a multiracial country where we share each other’s religion and culture. Let’s embrace the spirit of harmony in our workplaces and country.
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Qawa River
Reference is made to the article titled “Qawa River polluted” in the print media on August 22, 2026, by one Sukha Singh of Labasa. He is absolutely right that the environment ministry needs to take immediate steps to punish the culprits.
Qawa River provides sustenance to thousands of people who live on both the flood plains of this river. My childhood was spent on my father’s rice farm at Vitandra (Upper reaches of Qawa) on the bank of this mighty river. The memories of dependence on this vital river is still fresh in my mind: a source of fresh water for bathing and washing, catching fish, extracting nakai or watering animals. This river was our lifeline when there was no piped water supply.
The main tributary of Qawa River originates from the base of the famous Three Sisters Mountain rangers and the other comes from Dreketi Lai Lai mountains. They meet at Bulileka Village and meander their way into the sea near Malau. Low lying delta had a dense forest of mangroves with bustling marine life. Thus, a source of sustenance for the thousands who live nearby.
In the upper reaches of the river vegetable growing and sugarcane farming is the main activity. As a result the regular soil erosion has caused heavy siltation of the river and this has led to regular seasonal flooding.
Labasa Sugar Mill sits majestically on the banks of Qawa river near Vulovi close to All Saints Anglican Mission Primary and Secondary schools (another spot of my childhood). Everyone in Labasa knows that the main source of pollution is the Labasa Sugar Mill which discharges tons of waste into the river during the crushing season. Thus, destroying the marine ecosystem. The Ministry of the Environment would be too naive not to notice this.
The recent urbanisation of flat land between Qawa River and Labasa River has exacerbated the situation. The level of pollution has increased significantly. This calls for urgent action from the Ministry of Environment. No lip service please. We have had enough of it.
This is a life and death situation for thousands who live on the banks of Qawa river. I wonder what the parliamentarians from Vanua Levu are doing. Can they raise this issue in the parliament please.
Labasians should rise and demand justice!
Dewan Chand Namadi Heights, Suva
Tourism industry
Fiji has every right to raise revenue whether it’s for Fiji Airways, to build infrastructure or run the country. And I have no fundamental objection to a 5 per cent tourism tax.
But how and when you introduce a tax can matter just as much as the tax itself.
If a traveller books and pays for a holiday months in advance at an agreed price, only to be told later that they have to find additional money because a new tax has been introduced, imagine how that traveller would feel? Robbed? Angry? Hurt? Even worse, considering cancelling their holiday?
Sobo sobo! Whoever thought of this idea as a clever revenue generator hasn’t thought through the wider international repercussions.
If you want to salvage some of your reputation why not “grandfather” existing bookings and apply the 5 per cent tax only to holidays booked from September 1?
That would still give Fiji the additional revenue it’s seeking, while protecting travellers who’ve already committed their money in good faith.
It would also give Fiji’s hotels, travel agents, airlines and booking platforms time to properly adjust their systems and communicate the change.
And there’s something even more important at stake here:
Trust.
Australia and New Zealand are enormously important tourism markets for Fiji. Tourism isn’t simply about beaches, sunshine and beautiful resorts. It’s about confidence and integrity.
When people book a holiday, they need to feel that the price they’ve agreed to is the price they’ll actually pay. In our Fijian context it feels very much like a Liu muri aaghe peechee deal.
Fiji shouldn’t risk turning a reasonable revenue measure into an unnecessary tourism debacle and holiday headache.
By all means tax future holidays if you must. But don’t rewrite the price of holidays people have already paid for. That’s outright dishonesty.
Because when you’re competing for international tourists, trust is a huge part of the product.
All of this will leave a sour taste in the mouths of not only travellers, agents and airlines but this simple rule change could have far reaching consequences for Fiji’s international reputation.
More than anything, give tourists reasons to keep flocking back not reasons to stay away.
Colin Deoki Australia
