Debate on the use of Albert Park!
WHAT was supposed to be a happy ending turned into controversy and political ground for politicians because of the use of the iconic Albert Park for the 70th anniversary of the Hibiscus Festival. While we enjoyed the festivities, rides and food, the ground conditions were left in a depleted condition. Albert Park has been the traditional host for the Hibiscus Festival, which has always been marred by rain and wet conditions. In the past, the turf was destroyed after it hosted the rides (Ferris wheel being the major attraction) food stalls and stalls that sold accessories. Around $16.7m was invested to give Albert Park a new look. I read through the news story published by Atasa Williams (31/07/2015) titled ‘The $16.7m park upgrade’. Via that story, Suva City Council Special Administrator Chandu Umaria said the journey leading to the re-development project was not an easy one since it required a lot of planning, consultancy, work and hiring overseas consultants to give the right advice for the multi-million-dollar project. PM Voreqe Bainimarama shared this message, “An area that was once decidedly shabby and something of a national embarrassment will once again shine brightly as the jewel in the crown of our capital.” The new look Albert Park, known as the ‘green heart of the capital’, was opened on September 5, 2016, by Bainimarama after an overhaul to its greens and pavilion. After the redevelopment, Albert Park sadly bid goodbye to the Hibiscus Festival, which was hosted at the Suva Foreshore and Vodafone Arena, until this year when the organising committee decided to bring it back to its traditional venue. There was so much hype and excitement. A huge crowd gathered throughout the week to enjoy the festival. The debate over the use of Albert Park for the Hibiscus Festival can go on and on. I believe that this was one of the best Hibiscus Festivals ever that united Fijians. Albert Park belongs to Fijians, and we must not be deprived of its use. However, strategies must be put in place to ensure that groundwork is carried out to restore the greens. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Eat and run
So, we went to this new place in Laqere for lunch after a graduation ceremony. We ordered our food, the waitress returned with an EFTPOS machine asking me to pay. I kindly told her that we’d pay after we had eaten. She insisted. I insisted. She said some people ran away after eating without paying. “Do we look like people who will eat and run?” I asked. She went back and came her boss, and this lady also had an EFTPOS machine kindly asking me to pay first. She told me about the people eating and fleeing, and even described the people, apparently having seen their CCTV footages. Some, she said, had done it more than once, in different garbs. I felt sorry for the restaurant and I paid. “What if the food is no good,” I asked. “Will give complimentary,” she says. Come on people, you know who you are, eating and absconding. Because of you frauds, we have to pay upfront before we get to taste the food. But I’m glad the restaurant has put their foot down.Hit and run, eat and run, all no good. Donald Singh Nausori
Excellent service
I went to LTA on Tuesday (8/9) at Jetpoint Martintar to pay wheel tax and was served beyond expectation. I fall in the category of a senior citizen and presently also wear a neck collar for medical reasons. I was given a ticket which had something like “Elderly care … priority …” and was served almost instantly. It was such a wonderful experience for which LTA deserves my profound appreciation. I wish that other organisations, especially banks, take a page from LTA on Customer Care and accord the same helpful treatment to the elderly. LTA, thank you again. Ajai Kumar Nadi
Literacy issue
I refer to recent discussions on the decline in literacy standards in our schools and its causes (FT9-10/9). Unsurprisingly, we’ve got more sense at no cost from a retired teacher than from yet another who-knows-how-many-dollar study by SPC with unspecified Australian and New Zealand government support, not to mention an extravagant ‘launching’ at the GPH. As pointed out by experienced local educationalist Susana Tuisawau, one of the main reasons is the lack of the use of vernacular languages as media of instruction. It’s simple: children learn best in their own language, and in Fiji that means mostly Fijian, Fiji Hindi, and Rotuman. All nations in the world except us teach children, as far as practicable, in their own language, and indeed we did here also until about 1935, when we switched to the (long discarded) New Zealand model of trying to eradicate vernacular languages and force all children to learn in a foreign language. The sooner we return to teaching children in a language they understand, the better for all. It is ridiculous to assume that all our children are English speakers. Thankfully, they are not. Paul Geraghty USP, Suva
My beard, my choice!
AS a taxidriver, I often meet passengers from all walks of life. But one question I seem to get surprisingly often is about religion! When I ask why they ask so, the usual response is, “Because you keep a beard”. My response, a beard does not belong to any one religion. Keeping a beard is a personal choice, just as shaving it is a personal choice. People should not be judged or labelled based on their appearance. Religion is a personal matter, and so is how someone chooses to look. A beard does not tell you what religion a person follows, just as clothing, hairstyle or skin colour does not define someone’s beliefs. We should learn to see people for who they are rather than making assumptions based on appearance. So, to my fellow passengers, next time you see a taxidriver with a beard, perhaps just say “bula” instead of asking about his religion. My beard is my choice, not my religious identity. Shamal Chand Kuku Village, Nausori
Beautiful things
This freedom of speech is a beautiful thing. It’s like, you can say anything you want to, within the confines of the law, logic, respect and sanity. It’s truly a beautiful thing. Beautiful things come with responsibility though. Donald Singh Nausori
Honouring our seniors
Celebrating senior citizens day as part of the 70th Hibiscus Festival (FT 1/9), recognising the wisdom and legacy is a great honour for our seniors living today. It highlights a lifetime of wisdom, resilience and joy. Let’s salute them for their lifetime contributions. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Elected reps
Local government elections have been out of sight for many years now. Meanwhile, there have been three general elections in Fiji. As the next general election approaches, the elections office is already making preparations to ensure it takes place by February, 2027. I urge the incoming government to prioritise municipal elections. It is crucial to address the significant damage caused by the absence of elected representatives. Having elected officials in local governments ensures that citizens’ voices are heard and their needs are addressed more effectively. By focusing on organising these municipal elections, the new government can foster a more democratic environment and restore trust within local communities. Suresh Chand Nadi
Back in action
Isa lei. It is that time again when our Flying Fijians are back in action. Let us hope they shrug off the hangover from matches earlier this year in Europe and there is no blaming of players by officials after the game. The Flying Fijians may be unpredictable for the Canadians. However, they know too well, that a solid defensive approach can make the Flying Fijians more than predictable. I am looking forward to this highly anticipated match and have a feeling that the Flying Fijians will unleash all they have in this highly contested match. Floyd RobiNson Micronesia
Generous offer
I gather political parties may end up raking in millions through donations. I think we can expect a Donald Trump-like offer for us. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Artificial intelligence
Will it be a threat to human existence as claimed by experts? Dan Urai Lautoka
Politics, ATM and airline
Role model?
There are reports that legislation is being prepared to change the $10,000 limit in political donations and increase it to up to $3million for political parties and up to $300,000 for individual candidates. While they are drafting this legislation, I suggest they change the eligibility criteria of candidates to include criminals and convicted people to stand for election. Those who participated in all the coups, those who fiddled their travel allowances and trust accounts, and those who committed domestic violence, raped, murdered and participated in violence and burglaries and have served their time should all be allowed to participate in the election process. Our faith in Fiji dictates that such people should be forgiven and be given second or more chances. We have already seen this in recent decades and that is why the country is doing so well since the last election. Since Fiji is now a free country and Fijians have taken their country back after the last election, Fijians are entitled to shape their own destiny. People must not let this opportunity pass. In addition, while they are changing these laws, may I suggest that they change the two-year residency rules as well, as there are many Fijians living overseas who have all the solutions to Fiji’s problems and wish to participate. Fiji should be a role model from which other countries should learn. Jan Nissar Phuket, Thailand
Record booking
The Fiji Airways management has proudly announced a record booking of 14,000 on a single day during the recent 75th anniversary sale. Let us assume a minimum average cost per booking is around $1500. This equates to a whopping $21million collected on a single day, in cash, in advance, without delivering a product or service. With this substantial injection of much-needed capital, should the Government continue to assist the airline through the recently introduced 5 per cent Tourism Tax? BHARAT MORRIS Gold Coast, Australia
ATM users
Can those young and able-bodied inconsiderate ATM users please pre-plan their transactions before engaging with the cash machine? It is quite frustrating having to patiently wait behind someone who leisurely spends virtually five minutes or more carrying out what should be a simple monetary transaction. First, they lethargically insert their card, check their account balance and contemplate on the amount to be withdrawn. The card is then removed, only to be re-inserted seconds later for the actual cash withdrawal process. By this time, several more customers have joined the already lengthy queue. Then, after successfully completing the withdrawal, the same individual suddenly remembers that the amount withdrawn is apparently insufficient. So, what do they do? They insert the card yet again and repeat the process. Finally, after the second withdrawal, the customer proceeds to conduct a detailed forensic examination of the receipt and account balance before casually strolling away, apparently oblivious to the increasingly long line. Meanwhile, those waiting tolerantly behind are beginning to mumble coarse language under their breath and exchanging annoyed looks with other users in the queue, while some start to scroll on their smartphones to kill time. My low frustration tolerance (a medical condition) naturally triggers me to start throwing tantrums of having to wait in agony to carry out a simple cash transaction. And then there are those who repeatedly check their account balances despite the ATM clearly displaying “Insufficient Funds”. Seriously? No amount of repeated balance enquiries, furious button pressing, muttering, cursing or metaphorically “assaulting” the innocent ATM (a common trait with drunkards) is going to make money miraculously appear in an empty account. Why punch the machine? Is it somehow responsible for your depleted bank balance? Perhaps some users genuinely believe that if they press the buttons hard enough, intimidate the machine, or curse at it repeatedly, a few hundred dollars will suddenly appear. Sadly, it won’t. A little consideration for others is not too much to ask. If you know you need to check your balance and withdraw cash, please plan ahead and do it efficiently. If you need to carry out multiple transactions, perhaps complete them as quickly as possible rather than treating the ATM like your personal banking office. After all, the ATM may be automated, but courtesy, consideration and common sense still require human input. Nishant Singh Lautoka
Great exposure!
Our editor-in-chief Fred Wesley and the managing editor digital Anish Chand attended the Asia Pacific Media Forum miles away from home in China. They flew our flag proudly as the event covered news dissemination, digital publishing, artificial intelligence integration and media governance, featuring more than 400 attendees who represented 40 countries and regions. What a proud moment for the two lions in Fiji’s media industry! Both Fred and Anish returned home highly empowered as the event enabled the duo to establish cross-border content partnerships, standardise algorithmic verification methods and negotiate joint reporting agreements across Asia-Pacific markets. They had a wonderful service that was provided by Fiji Airways. Brighter days coming for Fiji’s trusted brand and the people’s newspaper! To Fred and Anish, continue to carry the legacy of those journalists who took The Fiji Times to these heights. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Political freedom
I still don’t understand why the Fiji Police Force, or whoever was involved, stopped the NextGen Alliance from launching its manifesto on September 10, particularly if it was a closed-door event held within a private venue. Why was the Public Order Act 1969 being cited when the law was specifically amended in 2017? In the February 8, 2017, Hansard, page 77, the then attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, clearly explained the purpose of the amendment. I quote: “So, essentially what it means is that you only need to apply for a permit if you are going to have a public meeting in anyone of those places, but if you have a meeting in any other place, whether it is Suva Civic Centre, whether it is HFC Bank Stadium, whether it is the Soqosoqo Vakamarama Hall, whether it is Kshatriya Hall, you do not need a permit.” That raises a serious question: What specific provision of the current law was relied upon to stop the NextGen Alliance event? I therefore call on the Commissioner of Police to provide clarity by issuing a public statement explaining the legal basis for the decision and the circumstances surrounding the event. This is bigger than one political party. If this interpretation can affect one party today, it can potentially affect any political party tomorrow. We need clarity, consistency and respect for political freedoms. Avenai Serutabua Nabukelevu Village, Serua
Quality control?
There is much clear evidence of exterior wall and footpath tiles peeling off and badly cracked. This can cause injury to unsuspecting barefoot pedestrians, especially unsupervised younger children. Such damage must stem from shoddy workmanship- prevalent in some of Nadi’s construction industry, at most times. The above is a sad reflection of the poor workmanship and quality control, in my view. Tiles just do not peel off or crack so easily. Am I wrong? These matters need to be rectified with urgency before injuries occur. They are an eye-sore too. As a concerned betrayed senior pensioner, I offer my services at no cost to assist improve Martintar’s image in commercial buildings. There is room for improvement in beautification and upholding required standards. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
PILNA report
This week’s PILNA report has really exposed the vulnerability that we have within our education system in the Pacific and Fiji is no exception. The current data is really alarming and indicates that something is wrong somewhere, and it is not the time to blame but to investigate what is wrong. Speaking for Fiji, there needs to be a robust deep dive in the curriculum and teacher quality before the situation further worsens. Literacy and Numeracy are the fundamentals of all other subjects. Learning the PILNA percentages, I am not sure how to digest and comprehend the results of the external exams. It seems the two assessment data are in two directions. Experts may debate from their own perspective, but from common ground, it sounds weird. Rohitesh Chand Kalokalo Crescent, Makoi, Nasinu
Dead grass
THE amount of politicians and public figures whining and complaining about the dead grass on Albert Park caused by the recent Hibiscus Festival, just imagine Fiji hosting the MACFEST or the world’s largest indigenous celebration FestPAC. They might cry out loud and just protest to move the festival to Ram Lakhan park! AREKI DAWAI Suva
National diabetes centre
I write this open letter to the Minister for Health & the Health Administrator to draw their attention to the lackadaisical attitude towards the upkeep of the National Diabetes Centre. The National Diabetes Center at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital is in a chaotic position. The dilapidated colonial building is in utter disrepair and no one seems to care. The doctors and nurses seem to be thrown from pillar to post and there seems to be no dignity left for the workers. The toilet facilities for doctors and nurses have been completely ignored. The trainee doctors are crowding the corridors and toilets. Two additional doctors have been housed in the open space inside and nurses have been pushed out. There is no sense of privacy for the out patients. Women seem to feel shy to talk about their health issues. My God, this is a chaotic situation. Diabetes is a major debilitating condition for thousands of patients who come for attention. Privacy does not exist. When will the Ministry of Health build a new ultra modern hospital? Will the Prime Minister Sitivenu Rabuka look into this very unsatisfactory diabetes hub. The Minister for Health seems to have no clue what to do! The Ministry of Health must source funds from abroad Australia or The World Bank for fully fund the national hospital. You cannot simply pussy foot in a vital project. If the Ministry of Health fails the nurses and doctors will have no option but to resign and migrate abroad. Fiji will end as a banana republic! Dewan Chand Namadi Heights, Suva
Grass or festival?
IN the summer time Albert Park ground has been closed numerous times to the public to allow the council to use sprinklers to water the grass because of the damage to its turf caused by sports events and daily sports usage. The Hibiscus Festival happens during our winter/rainy season and I’m pretty sure that the grass will recover quickly. Anyway, I was hoping that the Suva City Council will erect a wall of green shade nets or black plastic film rolls around the park soon after the closing of the festival! AREKI DAWAI Suva
Party proliferation
With the amount of political parties to contest the upcoming general election, will too many options create voter confusion rather than meaningful choice? Sobo! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
9/11 anniversary
As the world pauses to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, we are reminded not only of the nearly 3000 lives lost that day, but also of the enduring consequences that continue to unfold. This week, New York City released 170,000 pages of documents revealing that successive mayoral administrations withheld critical information about toxic air around Ground Zero. For a quarter century, officials assured the public that the air was “safe and acceptable”, even as thousands of first responders and residents inhaled dust laced with asbestos, glass, and heavy metals. The disclosure, compelled by 9/11 Health Watch, confirms what many suspected: that liability was prioritised over transparency. The impact is not abstract. More than 12,000 FDNY members live with 9/11–related illnesses, and hundreds have died from cancers and respiratory diseases linked to that toxic exposure. Families who sacrificed loved ones now face the bitter truth that the danger was known but concealed. For Fijians, the legacy of 9/11 is felt in every airport queue, every tightened security measure, and every reminder that vigilance has become part of global citizenship. Yet this anniversary also teaches us that resilience must be matched by accountability. Memory without truth is incomplete. As we honour the fallen and the brave, let us also demand honesty from institutions that shape our lives. The lesson of 9/11 is not only about terrorism’s toll, but about the duty of governments to protect their people with candour, not concealment. DR SUSHIL K SHARMA LAUTOKA
Raring and daring
The level of crime in our beloved Fiji appears to have reached another level of boldness, perhaps not experienced previously. Young men are daring in their approaches turning up to compounds and homes in broad day light, prepared to steal, despite being fully aware that installed cameras are likely to capture footage of them. In summary, these thieves are raring and daring. They are prepared to execute their activities under the cover of darkness and broad daylight. They operate in groups. Floyd Robinson Micronesia
Promise and the betrayal
In the shadows of Fiji’s recent political history, a quiet army of pensioners—elderly citizens who had faithfully contributed to the Fiji National Provident Fund throughout their working lives—watched as their carefully planned retirements were systematically dismantled. These were not faceless statistics but flesh-and-blood Fijians, many well past retirement age, who had done everything right. They had paid their dues, contributed to the nation’s development, and trusted that their contracts with the FNPF would be honoured. But Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum saw these pensioners as obstacles to their grand design. The issuance of Decree 51 was not merely an administrative adjustment; I believe it was a calculated assault on justice itself. The decree did what no legitimate government should ever contemplate: it retroactively severed legally binding contracts, slashed pensions, and—most damningly—blocked the pensioners’ access to the courts, effectively making them voiceless in their own struggle for survival. One pensioner captured the grotesque cynicism of the regime’s calculus when he observed that the FNPF’s ideal scenario was for pensioners “to die within two or three years of commencing their retirement”. The numbers tell a devastating story: approximately 6000 pensioners were deliberately targeted by Decree 51. Today, only 1400 remain alive. Over 4600 have died without seeing justice—a cruel dividend for the FNPF’s actuaries who knew that each death reduced the fund’s financial exposure. The courage of contrition. Into this darkness stepped a voice of rare moral clarity: Parmesh Chand, the former FNPF chairman who had once supported the very policies that devastated these pensioners. In the final months of his life, Mr Chand did what so few in positions of power ever do—he acknowledged his error and offered a full-throated apology. “I owe an apology to the pensioners for the original stance I took, and for the lateness of this statement,” Chand wrote. He was unequivocal: the calculations used to justify Decree 51 had not proven correct. More critically, he declared that full restitution of all contracted benefits could be made without impacting the FNPF’s underlying viability. I believe Mr Chand’s admission exposed the rotten foundation upon which Decree 51 had been built. The pension scheme, it turned out, had always been sustainable. The Pension Buffer Fund—established by an Act of Parliament in 1975 and fed by mandatory contributions from all FNPF members—should have been credited with interest just like all other member funds. I believe, had this been done honestly, the Buffer Fund would have accumulated $1.476billion by 2025—far more than the amount needed to fully restore the pensions and still leave a surplus of some $800million. I believe the FNPF and the regime had acted on false premises, and Mr Chand, facing his own mortality, chose truth over self-preservation. The unfolding injustice Yet the story did not end with Mr Chand’s apology. Despite the Coalition Government’s promises and its stated intention to right this wrong, the pensioners continue to wait. Prime Minister Rabuka has acknowledged the legal complexity, noting that only new legislation can overturn the Bainimarama decree. Constitutional provisions—themselves the product of an unelected regime’s imposition—shield Decree 51 from judicial scrutiny. The current Government has made some gestures: pension top-ups have been provided using taxpayer funds, and the FNPF Act is undergoing review. But these measures fall far short of the full restitution that justice demands. The moral imperative is clear: as Mr Chand demonstrated, the FNPF has more than sufficient funds to make full restitution. I believe the estimated cost to reinstate pensions with backdated interest is approximately $513million, and the FNPF’s general reserves would still stand at a healthy $1.488billion after such payments—well above regulatory requirements. The Government’s inaction speaks volumes. By tinkering at the margins while pensioners continue to die, it perpetuates the very injustice it promised to remedy. The Coalition, in this respect, has carried the torch of FijiFirst into the abyss—more concerned with survival than with moral rectitude. A moral and legal reckoning The case of the Decree 51 pensioners is not merely a matter of financial restitution; I believe it is a test of Fiji’s commitment to the rule of law and its capacity for justice. Decree 51 was and remains ultra vires—beyond the legitimate powers of any government that claims to respect human rights and the sanctity of contracts. The decree violated fundamental rights enshrined not only in Fiji’s own constitutional framework but also in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: the right to property, the right to social security, the right to an effective remedy from the courts, and the right to be free from discrimination. The FNPF’s management and board members who continue to defend the 2012 reforms share the moral burden of this ongoing injustice. As Professor Wadan Narsey has pointed out, not a single FNPF board member or manager—except Parmesh Chand—has ever expressed regret for their “immoral support of the 2012 pension robbery”. Even today, the fund’s leadership sits in its offices, with its digital countdown of remaining pensioners ticking away, calculating the savings that accrue with each death. The legal pathway forward is clear. The constitutional barriers that shield Decree 51 from review must be removed, and the FNPF Transition Decree must be repealed by an Act of Parliament—a process the Prime Minister himself has acknowledged is necessary. Full restitution is not merely an option; it is an obligation that cannot be deferred indefinitely. The scriptural imperative In these perilous times, when those entrusted with power betray the vulnerable and the just, Scripture offers both warning and guidance: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17) The Coalition Government knows what is right. It has the power to act. It has the resources to make full restitution. It has received the compelling analysis and the moral example of Parmesh Chand. Yet it hesitates—busying itself with minor and irrelevant issues while justice is delayed and denied. “Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17) The call to justice is clear. The victims of Decree 51 are the elderly, the vulnerable, the powerless—those whom any righteous government should protect with the utmost urgency. Every day that passes without full restitution is a day of sin, not merely in the moral sense but in the legal sense. And every politician, senior civil servant, and FNPF leader who chooses inaction over justice must answer for that choice. Conclusion The struggle of the Decree 51 pensioners is a mirror reflecting Fiji’s soul. It asks whether the nation is truly committed to the rule of law and the protection of its most vulnerable citizens. Parmesh Chand showed the way: courage, honesty, and contrition in the face of error. The FNPF and the Government must follow that path. The full restitution of all pension entitlements is not merely a financial transaction; I believe it is an acknowledgment that the rights of these pensioners were violated, that their voices were silenced, and that their deaths were cynically monetised. The time for delay is over. The time for justice is now. “And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8) Seveci Tora Tacirua Heights, Tacirua
Broken record
The FNPF saga has been allowed to fester in this column for years like a broken record. It is not just a broken record, but a waste of valuable space, if you add up all the space over the years. The revered PM who is a hero to these affected people is least bothered. But he is still a hero and has all the solutions. In fact, the PM has been solving Fiji’s problems for the last 40 years. In addition, God is closely watching “this injustice” we are told. I am no expert when it comes to FNPF and how benefits are paid. However, I am speculating that when the change in the FNPF rules was made more than a decade ago by the “two-man government” those people who are crying foul now must have chosen to withdraw all their money from FNPF in a lump sum. They have since exhausted all their money in grog doping and other such unhealthy activities instead of investing wisely and now want a second bite at the cherry as an after thought. In other words, they want to have their keke and eat it too. Except all their keke sa oji. They have used up all their entitlements and that is why no one is listening to them, especially in the FNPF. But, as always, all this is someone else’s fault apart from the person looking back in the mirror. Is my assessment unreasonable and far from the truth? Jan Nissar Phuket, Thailand
Our roads
As motorists, we pay various taxes and charges associated with owning and using our vehicles. Fuel costs also include government taxes. But an important question remains, are we getting enough value for the money collected for our roads? Across Fiji, motorists continue to encounter potholes, faded road markings, damaged road shoulders, poor drainage and road repairs that sometimes seem temporary rather than permanent. I understand that maintaining roads is expensive and that our authorities face many challenges. However, taxpayers and motorists also deserve to see good planning, proper maintenance and value for money. Perhaps it is time for greater transparency about how much is collected through road-related taxes and fees, how much is spent on road maintenance, and where that money is being spent. If a road is repaired today but develops the same problem again shortly afterwards, should we simply continue repairing it, or should we be looking at the underlying cause and finding a more permanent solution? Our roads are vital to Fiji’s economy and to the daily lives of ordinary people. The question is not whether money is being spent on roads. The question is whether we are getting the best possible roads for the money being spent. As taxpayers and road users, I believe we have every right to ask.
