Road condition
The Fiji Times this week has exposed that our pathetic and deteriorating roads are not only centred in Suva but across the country. I believe the Fiji Road Authority acting CEO seems confused on the national scale as his explanation on the solutions to this nightmare is not convincing at all. He has now indulged himself and providing safety tips for drivers which I believe is a complete diversion of his organisation’s core function. He is in a very hot seat right now and has exhausted all his explanatory ideas. I believe it is an opportune time for the line minister to make an appearance and assure the public of the plans for improvement with deadlines. Satish Nakched Suva
Gone wrong
The TSLB decision to suspend scholarships with reasons such as low GPA, I believe, is nothing but absolute cheating. Referring to an article (FT 20/01), about our youths such as Sakshi Prasad and probably many others, it seems our leadership has lost the principles of justice and fairness. Our students work hard under whatever circumstances within their means, attain marks enabling them to be eligible for scholarships, study under the scholarships and somewhere in between, they get letters of suspension of the same scholarship. All this is done without any prior discussion on any changes to terms and conditions of the scholarship. Is this professionalism at its best or does this scenario indicate that something has gone wrong somewhere? We need people who can make decisions inclusively and not in isolation. Decision makers should be realistic, keeping in mind the effects of such decisions on the young and budding youths. Imagine if this happens to your child. My message to affected students such as Sakshi Prasad is to have faith in the Almighty who has already made plans for you and it may come through his agents who are better decision makers. But please do not lose hope. Dhirendra Prasad Lautoka
Fix the problems
It’s 6pm on Thursday, January 28. Shower time. Cooking time. Millions of gallons of water pouring out of the sky and once again the people of Valelevu and presumably surrounding areas have a mere trickle coming out of the taps. Not enough pressure to operate my electric shower and I had to run around in the shower to get wet!. How much longer do we have to put up with the lame excuses coming from WAF? I pay my bill expecting not only water but the service to get it to my house. For the past months I’ve been getting very little of either yet they still expect me to pay. Come on WAF, fix the problems. It’s not rocket science. We can manage without electricity but water is essential, especially when we’re lectured every day on the importance of hygiene in combating the virus. Steve Illingworth Valelevu, Nasinu
Disclosure rules
WHILE I agree there is a need for transparency in the disclosure of the source of the donations received by the political parties I believe it is equally important that the rules are fair and does not provide undue advantage or disadvantage to any party. Hypothetically even if the money is coming from a donor’s personal account it could still create the impression that the payment is from his company especially when large amounts are involved. Sometimes it is difficult to separate the two. And some donors may prefer to remain anonymous for obvious reasons. The only way to eliminate that perception is by creating a level playing field where the rules are consistent with the intent and purpose of the law. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Dogs like Prince
It is my prayer that everyone will spare a thought for our stray dogs. I use ‘our’ because it is an issue which we have effectively brought about through our own doing. We have allowed dogs to breed uncontrollably, roam freely; spread disease both to other animals and humans; and rummage through rubbish in garbage bags left out on the streets unabatingly. The dogs seem to have one or all of the following: appear thin yet bloated through an intestinal worm infestation; are very thin through being malnourished; lack hair either through malnourishment or demodectic mange, a condition which can spread to humans; are limping as a consequence of having been hit by a car; scratching furiously because of a manifestation of fleas and possibly ticks as well. These poor creatures have nowhere they can call home. They have no guarantee of a regular meal or any meal and nowhere safe and warm to shelter or sleep. They live to survive. They are neither cared for by anyone nor loved. What must they think of us, the humans who drive past them day after day, passing a blind eye to their pain and suffering. Two canine brothers live at the end of my street. No one claims ownership; no one feeds them; no one cares about them. The black one was particularly malnourished and had little hair on his body. For over a month I have been feeding and caring for him. He’s enjoyed some baths, been de-wormed and even receives coconut oil massages on his parched skin. He’s had a major pedicure as his nails were so terribly long he could barely walk! I don’t know about Prince, the name I bestowed upon him to elevate his self-esteem, but I’m on a high each time I slowly drive past him to see how healthy he is starting to look. His hair is returning. As he eats his food, his tail constantly wags. He is the sweetest boy with the kindest nature. I would like to encourage everyone to adopt a local street dog as I have done. It really warms your heart to see how they respond to a little love and care. Julie Sutherland Tamavua, Suva
Poor quality asphalt
The poor standard of our roads has been around for decades. We would expect through time that we would raise the standard but so far nothing? Questions have been asked for as long as or roads been in such a poor state. Why can’t we raise the standard of our roads? I believe it’s the quality of asphalt that is the problem, because no matter how nice looking we make some of our roads, potholes and deterioration surfaces in quick time. The quality of asphalt matters as it directly impacts how long and how well our roads will hold against the elements and repeated use over time. In order to have long-lasting solid roads we must use high quality asphalt. Where are we getting our asphalt from and who ensures that we getting high quality asphalt? Check the standard of asphalt regularly that we receive highest quality to better our roads and safe driving! But then again it all boils down to costs, for high quality asphalt cost more, and with our current situation, we just cannot afford it. It looks like we do not have a choice, but to make use and get used to the current standard. So, in hindsight, the state of our economy can be compared with our roads. We can only hope for improvement, that is long time coming! Simon Hazelman Rava Estate, Savusavu
Donations to political parties
There are some foul smell suggestive finger-pointing pertaining to donations made to political parties. Why can’t everything be simply put out in the open for everyone to get the correct smell? Including the oblivious. I mean this is something which should have been shared from day one. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Flooded road
Pictures of a flooded Rakiraki area have been circulated on Facebook People can be seen walking along a flooded road. We need to anticipate flooding, but here people are walking along a flooded road. We talk about being prepared. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Lautoka
What a start
What a start to the New Year? First, it was Tropical Cyclone Yasa but now there is a tropical depression towards Vanuatu slowly moving our way and another over the Lau Islands. All in all, this is Mother Nature. This is beyond our control. For now let’s adhere to advice from national authorities. What a weekend it will be? We all anxiously await updates hoping for the best. In the meantime do stay safe and warm. Floyd Robinson Toorak, Suva
Floodwaters in town
What should I say? Is it floodwaters in town just because of the poor drainage system which municipal councils are not taking action over, or is it climate change affecting Fiji? Jaheed Buksh Korolevu, Sigatoka
To meet the President
I have always wanted to meet the President. I would be very grateful to the President’s office to let me know through my e-mail sukhasing33@yahoo.com when he will be in Labasa again. Or can I just visit the State House and meet him there? Sukha Singh Labasa
Damage to road
FRA is now laying the blame on TDO5F for causing damage to the circular road on Ovalau, as per their Facebook page. I believe the result of a quick fix and ignorance over the years, I might say. Anthony Sahai Suva
World events
After COVID-19 structured the world, in not even a year we had two cyclones hitting the nation and another one is on the way. Stay safe everyone. Jaheed Buksh Korolevu, Sigatoka
