Spot on Baljeet! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU WITH time, our photographer Baljeet Singh is finding his mojo. Walking away with the Best Photograph of the Year at the 2024 Fiji Sports Awards, as his awardwinning image captured Swire Shipping Fijian Drua star winger Selestino Ravutaumada scoring a try for the Drua during their home game against the Western Force at Churchill Park, Baljeet has not looked back since then. On April 13, Baljeet won hearts as he captured a flying Hekari FC keeper desperately diving for a save against the Bula FC during their OFC Pro League clash at the Four R Stadium in Ba which the Bula FC won 1- 0 courtesy of Adam Supyk’s clinical finish. This time around, Baljeet balanced his photography skills as he captured a flying Jitoko Vulava making a diving save against hosts Lautoka at Churchill Park. The Babasiga Lions were on fire as they ended Lautoka’s unbeaten run just as they ended Ba’s unbeaten run the previous week. The Lions won both matches by 2-1. I commend president Shaheen Hussain, manager Ravinesh Chand, Mohammed Kasim, coach Alvin Chand and the boys for creating history in the form of backtoback away wins against giants Ba and Lautoka and ending their unbeaten run. I salute Jerard Avock and Peniasi Rotidara, who slotted his first goal for Labasa, for scoring two world-class sitters. The Babasiga Lions are roaring and face Tailevu Naitasiri at home. A win will strengthen their grip on the table!
Call for scrutiny SAMU SILATOLU NAKASI, NAUSORI THE Consumer Council of Fiji has requested a clear EFL tariff increase explanation (FT 9/5/26). Although it is subject to the current global oil crisis, I think EFL has always been trying to push through its own agenda, when it sees fit. Who actually is in charge of EFL? Why hasn’t the Government come into play? Is the Government still the major shareholder? Or is it just another spectator? I salute the council’s CEO for the challenge and with all the “counter demands” against the proposal. From the start of Rabuka’s administration until now, I haven’t heard him advice or utter a word about EFL. Even though it lost $25m in 2023. Was the loss genuine? Was it not just “massaging” the figures? Inquisitively, I was surprised because EFL has been a utility monopoly service provider, since its inception. However, as the price tags of food items have been gradually increasing, I am certain any other addition like electricity, would be “a blowout”, to the already tight budget consumers. Will it be a temporary measure? In fact, this Coalition Government has been another “governance illusion” driven, all along, in my opinion. It is the mistaken belief that having a “government framework” on paper, equals effective control in practice. Generally, it has been a national failure.
Oversupply questions DONALD SINGH NAUSORI I’LL cut to the chase here. The Fiji Medical Association says that we have an oversupply of doctors and not enough jobs for them. The FMA acting president Dr Kumar has hinted that our medical schools are not providing quality education. Wrong. Dr Kumar might want to study statistics on migration of our professionals, including doctors. I disagree with his poor quality education claim as well. Some years ago, someone on leadership had openly stated that we had too many lawyers in the country. Ironically, Fiji’s biggest and neverending troubles are in the medical and legal fields, for several years now. And they say we have too many doctors and lawyers! I wish someone from the agriculture sector could one day say that we have too many farmers! And that tomato was a dollar a kilo! Conference speeches may sound good at hotel venues, especially with the (tea, lunch and tea again) table spread with otherwise unaffordable stuff. Out here, we dissect information. At most conferences, they are too busy waiting for the spread, and there is no rebuttal.
Toxic grouping JUKI FONG CHEW NADAWA, NASINU IN any given organisation, there is such a group that exists within and their main agenda is to create negativity, jealousy, false accusation, and continue to harbour bad vibes just to topple the head of the organisation. The head of such a group exists within the inner circle of leadership and is the one influencing such a group to portray negativity against the organisation they work for. If they never succeed with their negative agenda, they will seek other avenues such as influencing within to grow their group members to look at other avenues to topple or destabilise the organisation they have sworn on oath to uphold. If such a group is not successful within, they will or may seek to portray the same negativity externally alleging false allegations against the leadership and the same organisation they are employed by. Externally, they will only provide hearsay allegations and will fail to back it up with proof, they will look for an external influential mouthpiece to broadcast their negative false allegation and will sit back and watch from the sideline. The head of the same toxic grouping will then by virtue of his leadership position approach the head of the organisation trying to provide positive advice and damage control, but in reality he/she is the professional snake or Satan on Earth in human form.
Speeding in Nadi RONNIE CHANG MARTINTAR, NADI THIS public appeal goes out most respectfully to the Nadi road traffic law enforcement officers of the Fiji police, Land Transport Authority; Fiji Roads Authority in collaboration with the Nadi Town Council enforcement officers. I agree it is almost impossible to maintain full-time presence in every street corner, all the time. Some reasonable physical presence, at random, can serve as an effective deterrent. I am reliably informed Namaka Police Station lacks adequate road traffic officers and vehicles too. I am also reliably advised officers from Lautoka Police Station cover the highway roads. In the unlikely event my information is incorrect, I stand corrected and seek help to improve police presence, somehow and someway. This is imperative. Nadi boasts some 28,000 registered vehicles and 33,000 registered drivers. How many traffic law enforcement do we really have? Grossly insufficient? Road blocks in the Daily Shop area provides easy escape routes via Enamanu Rd, Denarau Bypass Rd and Wailoaloa Rd. These are easiest escape routes. As a true “kai Nadi” born and raised here for 74 years, my knowledge of the area is beyond “just good”. Effective road blocks are better in the area in front of RB Patel Jetpoint. Enamanu Rd boasts no footpath. There is much pedestrian traffic — people to/from work; those visiting loved ones’ graves at Enamanu Cemetery. I am reliably advised that an early morning traffic accident — speeding and drink-driving — occurred on Monday, May 11. (Vacant properties behind and in front of the Daily Shop are perfect drinking areas not in the surveillance of our police enforcement areas. Or do they look the other way? My morning walk confirm these “hot spots”). Gray Rd, Mountainview is also notorious for night time speeding. Respectfully, with every care and much concern, I plead with all traffic law enforcement officers to dedicate some deterrent physical presence, at random, to curb Martintar speeding. Not too long ago, a Virgin Aust airline flight attendant, lost her life at curbside closest to Mount Saint Mary’s. A car and a yellow taxi were reported to be speeding. It caused the taxidriver to lose control impacting on the victim. Investigations, one month later, we are told, remain in progress. Why? May she rest in God’s perfect peace. Her death was a horrific one. Will some else be the next road fatality?
Dark tints STEVEN CHANDRA SUVA ARE there two sets of rules for LTA, when it comes to vehicle tints? Some private vehicles are getting away with much darker tints. Especially the ones with unexplained wealth.
More potholes TAHIR ALI HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND SOME The Fiji Times writers (LTE) are preparing to ride horse to work to fight the fuel crisis! I believe this will create more potholes on our tar sealed roads. Ask taxi operators on effects of vehicles. Any speed limits for horses. Hold your horse!
Secret operation RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA ISRAEL set up a clandestine military outpost in the Iraqi desert to support its air campaign against Iran and launched air strikes against Iraqi troops who nearly discovered it, the Wall Street Journal reported citing people familiar with the matter including US officials (Reuters/ FT 11/5). This news would come as no surprise to people familiar with the modus operandi of the Israeli State which has scant regard for international norms of acceptable state behaviour
Annual conference RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU I MUST thank The Fiji Times for covering the 96th Fiji Teachers Union annual conference on the highest of notes. The likes of Baljeet Singh and Repeka Nasiko are commended for sharing issues arising from the annual conference that was held at Xavier College. The pictures showed the camaraderie, bonding and unity of the FTU members. The resolutions that were presented will make the work of our teachers easier and will make school environments conducive. Teacher well-being was addressed at length by the members who are looking forward to the educator’s protection policy just as the child protection policy that protects children. The members are also looking forward to robust wellbeing programs such as counselling services and health provisions that protect educators and their families.
Wrong climate EDWARD KUMAR LAUTOKA ACCORDING to the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation chief executive, Edward Bernard, this is not the right climate for wage increase. Yaca, you’ve been saying this since the political upheavals, COVID-19, fuel crisis and probably now with Global Warming, your stance should change with the climate.
