Water crisis
The drought is creating havoc on water supplies. While the Central division is blessed to continue to receive water, other parts of Fiji are going through a lot as ordinary citizens are facing a water crisis. The Fiji Times (04/11) reported that by January 2027, up to 82 per cent of Fiji’s water sources could be at critical levels, threatening access to one of Fiji’s most basic necessities. The El Nino is intensifying and could get worse by next month. Minister for Infrastructure Ro Filipe Tuisawau and his team have a lot on their plate and proper strategies must be put in place as we brace for the deepening water crisis.
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam
Nadawa, Nasinu
Celebrating belief
Our nation celebrates many festivities of stars, moons, various lights and delights Irrespective of race or religion, all in celebrations combine. One may not partake each other’s belief but definitely shares delights to dine In all festivities the us age of natural man-made or electrical light Symbolizes brightness over darkness, a victorious fight Setbacks we all face in life. These festivities are teachings of how to strive Not just with clothing decorating or dine but how truthful are we with peace, harmony and care along the line Life requires positivity in thoughts and acts in its duration time Just showing during festivity is malpractice. Generosity is a requirement of need and ability Disempowering selfishness in self-satisfaction of negativity. Only then can one proclaim the meaningfulness of their festivity Be it with man nature or future Only brightness in righteousness shall uphold victory for congrats to each other’s festivity!
PRAMEETA CHAND
Suva
Proposal
for AFL
I KNOW very little about AFL (Aussie Rules), but it has occurred to me that it is the only Maj or Australian game that doesn’t have a world cup. I presume this is because there are very few places where it is popular outside its heartland of Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. However, this need not be an impediment. To remedy this, I suggest that AFL have a world cup in Melbourne, every four years or so, by the simple expedient of implementing the ‘granny rule’. This means that after the Australian national team has been selected, remaining players who have a grandparent from, say, Italy, Greece, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand or Vietnam, of which there is no shortage in Victoria, can represent those nations. Apart from giving the impression that AFL is a popular game all over the world, there are numerous advantages of this proposal. All these teams save on airfares and hotel bills since their players live locally, and none need a liaison officer who speaks their language since they are all fluent speakers of English. No problem either with crowd support, since all these countries have thousands of grandchildren of migrants who will be happy to come out and cheer for them. Just a thought. On the other hand, maybe aficionados of AFL will be content to graciously acknowledge that their favorite game has yet to conquer the world.
PAUL GERAGHTY
USP, Suva
Nadi Town’s
crossing chaos
THERE are at least three designated pedestrian crossings along Nadi Town’s main street, yet their traffic lights have reportedly been deliberately taken out of normal operation for reasons that remain unexplained. Instead of controlling traffic and providing pedestrians with clear signals to cross safely, they blink day and night. I am also told these blinking lights consume no electricity a claim that requires clarification. Regardless of their power consumption, what purpose do they serve if they are not properly managing these crossings? A properly functioning signal-controlled crossing tells motorists when to stop and pedestrians when to cross. Constantly flashing lights do not provide that clear coordination, leaving road users to judge when it is safe to proceed. Pedestrian safety should not depend on guesswork. If these signals are unnecessary, relocate them somewhere useful and replace them with clearly marked zebra crossings, supported by appropriate signs and enforcement. This would establish a clearer obligation for motorists to give way to pedestrians, rather than leaving everyone to navigate an ambiguous arrangement. The town council, LTA, FRA and the Government must explain why this situation has been allowed to continue. Either restore the lights to proper operation or provide a safe, clearly understood alternative. Leaving pedestrian crossings in this confusing state is unacceptable and shows a disturbing disregard for public safety.
SURESH CHAND
Nadi
FNPF view
TAHIR Ali from Hamilton says: “Vinaka! FNPF for securing our future “(FT 4/11/26). The point of Professor Wadan Narsey’s critical analysis (FT 25/10) was to expose the fact that FNPF’s stance has made extremely precarious the plight of pensioners whose pension was misappropriated illegally. Their future was not secured by FNPF. It was made vulnerable.
RAJEND NAIDU
Sydney, Australia
US elections
DEMOCRACY wins. Yay!
MANOJ LAL PATEL
Drasa Avenue, Lautoka
Public service
BEYOND direct contributions to constitutional reform submissions (Constitution amendment Bill), a wide spectrum of grievances, emotional appeals, and public frustrations has been voiced across various communities. To ensure effective governance, there is a compelling need for localized or district-based parliamentary representation. Under this model, Members of Parliament are held directly accountable to their specific constituencies, ensuring that grassroots concerns are systematically addressed in a timely and structured manner. Rather than engaging in defensive public discourse, representatives focus on account able public service earning institutional trust and respect through demonstrated responsiveness.
EDWARD KUMAR
Lautoka
Fairness for motorists
WHEN international fuel prices rise, we feel it at the pumps almost immediately. But when world prices fall, we are told to wait months for relief because expensive fuel was purchased earlier. Wasn’t there cheaper fuel in stock when prices went up? Why do increases reach consumers so quickly, while decreases take so long? Another question many Fijians deserve to have answered: How much does one liter of fuel actually cost to land in Fiji, including freight and other charges? Perhaps 85% of Fijians have never been given a clear explanation of this. Families are struggling, workers are counting every dollar, and businesses are feeling the pressure. We are not asking for miracles. We are asking for transparency, consistency and fairness. When prices go up, ordinary Fijians pay immediately. When prices come down, why must they wait? The cost of living is already heavy. People deserve answers, not excuses.
NAVNEET RAM (TD)
Lautoka
Diwali issue
PARAS Naidu’s comments on “Firecracker issue” (FT29/10) is like burning our own money in this cost-of-living crisis. I believe this is also a safety risk. Let’s take precautions at all costs to celebrate this religious festival of lights with peace lighting the way for unity in Fiji’s diverse society. Diwali is triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, hope over fear and love over hatred. Happy Diwali.
TAHIR ALI
Hamilton, New Zealand
A chair for cashiers
I FULLY support Yashneel Kumar’s call for supermarket cashiers to be provided with suitable chairs or high stools. In fact, I had been planning to write about this pressing issue myself, and I am pleased that he has brought it to public attention. Cashiers provide an essential service, often working long hours under uncomfortable and challenging conditions. Requiring them to stand throughout their shifts, with little opportunity to sit, places an unnecessary strain on their health and wellbeing. Providing suitable seating is a simple, practical measure that need not compromise customer service. Cashiers should be able to sit whenever their duties allow, rather than endure prolonged discomfort merely because standing has become the accepted practice. These workers deserve the same dignity, care and consideration as anyone else. A chair may seem like a small gesture, but it can make a meaningful difference to their comfort, health and morale. I urge supermarket owners and management to take this appeal seriously and provide appropriate seating without delay. Let us show greater appreciation for the people who serve us every day by ensuring that their working conditions are humane and respectful. The matter needs to be acted upon without a second thought.
SURESH CHAND
Nadi
Nadi city
TO our learned and hardworking township fathers, it will be a lot nicer to finally witness Prince Charles Park host our very first World Rugby sanctioned international match before Jetset Nadi’s proclamation to the much-desired city-status. Additionally, please address our water woes. Our Navakai sewerage plant is hopelessly overworked and way past its expiry date. Government must provide Crown Land for a new cemetery. Thousands have made Nadi their home. They have nowhere to bury their dead. It cost no less than $500 for a grave in privately operated Votualevu Cemetery. Privately donated Enamanu General Cemetery is full. It must be closed. Does anyone in authority care to provide some oversight? Nadi’s open drain is an eye-sore and a known health hazard. No one accepts responsibility. They all look the other way. Where is our rubbish dump? These are prerequisites to city status. These are primary areas of responsibility for every professional town and city planner. As a concerned senior citizen, born and raised in Nadi, and a surviving betrayed senior FNPF pensioner, I have observed Nadi’s growth for at least six eventful decades. We have had good years and bad times too. Nadi is Fiji’s fastest developing township. We have failed miserably to address immediate prerequisites indicated above. Our basic infrastructure deserves urgent now. City status is serious business not just in name. (Densely populated Matavolivoli Stage Two gets garbage one day a week on Wednesday. What about the immediate peripheries?)
RONNIE CHANG
Nadi
