One sugar mill NARAYAN REDDY LAUTOKA THE CEO of FSC was quoted as saying that FSC only needs one sugar mill in Viti Levu as the quantity of sugar cane dropped compared with yesteryears. What happens if the lone sugar mill in Viti Levu breaks down or if it catches fire like last season? Will FSC use bilibili to transport cane to Labasa sugar mill? Rakiraki Town is almost dead now because the sugar mill closed down and the poor farmers are transporting cane from Borotu in Rakiraki to Rarawai sugar mill in Ba. Imagine travelling 100km by road each way to transport sugar cane since the railway system has been closed. Now with this high fuel price, it will cost a lot of fuel and money to cart cane on such a long distance. Farmers don’t want to plant cane because FSC failed them by not processing all sugar cane and frequent breakdowns. It is becoming uneconomical business for many farmers. The Government of the day, the miller, farmers’ unions, transport union and farmers themselves should all sit down and discuss these issues.
Where is true peace? RONNIE CHANG MARTINTAR, NADI OUR little island nation and small island developing state, with a population of just under one million and projected 750,000 potential voters in the next general elections, has far too many political parties who cannot strike compromises and work together, for the common good of all Fijians. Eight political parties to date. They are divisions apart. Are we braced to form another coalition? Will one party be strong enough to win the majority of parliamentary seats? Big brother, Australia boasts a population of over 28 million and has potentially two main political parties. Fiji must take a page from Australia’s and try learning to work together. Personally, as a betrayed senior FNPF pensioner, among about 1400 others, I am not convinced better days will come with so many political leaders chasing “power”. Our divisions expose our weaknesses — unity and togetherness. True peace will be elusive.
You be the judge JUKI FONG CHEW NADAWA, NASINU AS we move closer to elections, three words come to mind. Relevance, popularity and promises. Politicians or would-be politicians will use relevance to be relevant to what they are preaching/ doing in whatever platform for now and to the future. They will use popularity to be present and speak at any given situation or event. Promises will be made if one votes me, I will promise or we will ensure it will be done differently. People, you be the judge and always be mindful as we scroll slowly towards elections.
No longer a riddle DINESH KUMAR BA WHILE growing up in the good old days, a common riddle within our circle of friends was, “What goes up and never comes down?” Obviously, the answer was age. However, if the same riddle were asked today, the answers would range from fuel prices and food costs to rent, utility bills, and the ever-rising cost of living. What was once an innocent childhood riddle has now become an uncomfortably accurate reflection of modern survival. A proof that in today’s world, the only thing ageing faster than people is the expense of staying alive.
Intern doctors BHARAT MORRIS RIFLE RANGE, VATUWAQA, SUVA IT is reported that Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka holds the fate of close to 200 intern doctors as the Ministry of Health awaits final approval for their postings. (FT 15/6) Equally, the fate of the Prime Minister’s re-election also depends on how quickly he takes a definitive decision on the matter as there are growing concerns over doctor shortages in hospitals and health centres around the country. The Government’s poor health care services could come under extreme scrutiny, and it could also become one of the reasons if his party faces defeat at the next elections.
How come? MANOJ LAL PATEL DRASA AVENUE, LAUTOKA FIFA World Cup participants Curacao’s and Cabo Verde’s combined population as of January 1, 2026 was 716,000. Fiji’s, approximately 930,000? We are here and they are there, at the World Cup. No matter how many RX7s you have, with the ageing rotary engine, it amounts to nothing if it’s not on the racetrack.
Sick and unsustainable RAKESH CHAND SHARMA NADI UNITY Fiji party leader, Savenaca Narube says Fiji’s economy is “sick and unsustainable”. He adds that former ministers, Aiyaz Sayed- Khaiyum and Professor Biman Prasad failed to move Fiji’s economy forward based on economic data. Mr Narube also refers to the failure on the part of the RBF Governor to fully appraise the Government on the economic health of the country. I firmly believe that no one can dispute these facts.
Who benefitted? RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA COLIN Deoki wants to know “was former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama a hero, villain or something in between”? (FT 15/6). I don’t know. And I don’t care. What I do know as someone who has followed Fiji politics and governance closely is that every coup leader who acquired power through the barrel of the gun and went on to become prime minister has undermined democratic good governance in the country. The country did not benefit from their leadership. They did. And their cronies did
Those airports A SHARIFF SHAH SAVUSAVU I ALWAYS thought that pouring so much money into Labasa Airport was a real bad decision. At the end of the day, you still get the same ATR 42 and 72s, as before, and that’s it. That is it. Absolutely no difference! The millions spent/ wasted should have been divided equally amongst the three. Labasa, Savusavu and Taveuni. And get all to be serviced by the same ATRs. I sometimes wonder who all are involved in the “top brass” of decision making. No brainers unless and until they can justify through this column. While at the airports, Savusavu Airport is the worst of the three. The infrastructure is terrible. So much money has been poured into this airport over the past 10 years, yet it still stands as an eyesore. First impression is very important. The entry from the main road is terrible. All gravel. Then we approach a single lane bridge which continuously floods. The only link to the airport. If this bridge goes, we in trouble. Then we have car parks and loading and unloading areas. This is the area most used by those that arrive into or leave our beautiful Savusavu. Guess what? It’s all gravel. And becomes a swamp when it pours. Total disaster without any roof overhead to shelter especially the young and the not so young. The roll on bags or trolleys are just not made for these rough terrains. It’s pathetic. Some of the aggregates are 50mm in diameter. People trip with their bags. No way to pull or push but to lift and carry to the waiting transport. Again, it reflects those “top brass” sitting high with their decisions. Please do these small things right first. It reflects who we are. Then dream about the international and the airbuses.
Party signatures WISE MUAVONO BALAWA, LAUTOKA I HOPE the Fijian Elections Office is scrutinising and validating the 5000 signatures of registered voters submitted by political parties? Sobo!
Elections and prep! DONALD SINGH NAUSORI THE sight of the Fijian Elections Office officials at public space venues around the country is promising. Campaign speeches have begun. Barbs are already being thrown amongst politicians. The mood is setting in. Voter registration and card updating is full on. Let the games begin! Sorry, elections.
Belief and vision COLIN DEOKI AUSTRALIA THE Socceroos prevailed against a spirited Turkey who gave our boys hell in defence. It’s a great start and story for our young squad. However, the Socceroos will have to regroup and make sure they fix some of their problems of playing a defensive game. Because we forgot what it means to keep attacking the opposition’s goal line to remove pressure from our side. We retreated into defensive mode far too early and far too quickly and failed to capitalise on more chances of scoring even more goals. When we come up against an attacking goal scoring side like the US, we could be in all kinds of trouble if we don’t get some of the basics of football right. I’ve watched nearly every game so far. And while the quality is good, I honestly can’t see why Fiji isn’t qualifying for the World Cup. Smaller nations with a smaller population have qualified. Yet here we are since 1961 when the game was opened to all races, we’re still stuck on the treadmill going nowhere. Belief and vision are still missing from the Fijian game because the officials who run the show just don’t have what it takes to build it. And when the rot is gone, Fijian soccer will one day stand on the world stage. God knows they deserve it. If Australia and New Zealand can do it so can Fiji.
Curacao’s golden moment RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU LOCATED in the heart of the Caribbean, Curacao, which shocked the football fraternity by becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for a men’s World Cup (WC), made their golden moment even more special by scoring their first ever WC goal against four-time champions, Germany at Houston Stadium. Coached by veteran Dick Advocaat, the underdogs defended, absorbed pressure, and looked for counterattacking opportunities. Their strategy paid off against football’s traditional powerhouse as Livano Comenencia’s deflected shot beat the opposition defence, igniting celebrations and emotions. For a nation that enchants through its turquoise beaches, sunny climate and a vibrant and multicultural environment, the goal was more than just a score — it carried the players and team management’s sweat, tears, determination and pride to make approximately 185,491 passionate Curacaoans proud. While Curacao enjoyed its golden moment against Germany, I’m left wondering whether we will ever enjoy ours on football’s biggest stage!
