Streeter family reunion
It was very emotional having the Streeter descendants renewing ties with the vanua of Nakelo; dating back over 100 years ago when Captain Nelson Streeter from New Caledonia was in Nakelo. With a fifth generation grandchild Evelyn coming up with the idea of renewing ties the rara o Nakelo and in the presence of the Tui Nakelo Ratu Timoci Namela at Nauluvatu, Nakelo was really worthwhile. Even the people of Nakelo got together for the occasion traditionally called “carasala” and in conjunction with the new year’s celebration, everyone present seemed to enjoy every moment of the get- together. Hopefully the family ties will live forever between the Streeters of New Caledonia and the people of rara o Nakelo. Tomasi Boginiso Nepani Rd, Nasinu
Delaying projects
Minister Premila Kumar may well have a point labelling town/city councils culprits in delaying projects etc. However, they are just as culpable in the poor policing of health standards within the communities they serve, as well as many other problems that can be simply resolved. I hope Ms Kumar can find the time to meet the ratepayers (viz those who actually pay rates) of all the municipalities as soon as possible so we can highlight the inaction of councils to our many valid and long standing concerns. It is time, rapid progress was made to get back to ratepayer elected municipal councils. We have been told that the relevant legislations regarding municipal elections etc., have to be reviewed. Well somebody tell me what is wrong with holding elections under existing regulations and then get on with the reviews. Allan Loosley Tavua
Dunn’s appointment
OSO Simon you don’t get it, do you? Surely you can’t be that naïve not to know that there are laid down rules and procedures for all appointments in the public service. The bone of contention here is not so much which political party the appointee is aligned to but rather whether the process employed in her appointment was compatible with the open merit-based selection process. That she may be the most suitable person for the job is also subservient. Let’s not forget that it’s the taxpayers who will be paying for her salary and not the political party. Where public funds are involved then people have the right to question such appointments. That is why it becomes more important to ensure that such appointments are done in an open and transparent manner. In simple terms it’s called accountability my brother. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Wonderful people
We had two wonderful people pass away within the past few days. Frank Hilton who passed away on January 2, lived a life of pioneer for the rights of children with disabilities, provided them with several decades of service. Hilton Special School together with some other institutions around our country were founded by him to provide education and care to hundreds of disabled children. Hari Kisun of Lautoka passed away on January 5. Being the president of Western Disabled, he tirelessly assisted many with disabilities by providing necessary documents, fundraising and attending to meetings to enable them to live a better life. Mr Kisun himself had been confined to a wheelchair, otherwise bed, for the past 50 years, remains an incredible example for people with disabilities who arrived at his doorstep on a daily basis for support. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to families and friends of Mr Hilton and Mr Kisun, as well as those who had been touched by their many years of kind gesture and mercy. May your souls rest in peace. DAVID SUSHIL LAL Malolo St, Lautoka
Tourist town
Despite Nadi being a flood prone area and it’s association with traffic jams, it is a booming tourist town. It is one of the areas in Fiji which boasts the best night-life facilities and has the gateway to the world. New developments and expansion works are common sights that greet visitors. Plans and preparatory works are in progress to declare Nadi a city. I understand that there are some lead-up logistics that need to be in place before the declaration but it has been at this stage for some years. When will the planning stage of declaring Nadi Town a city end? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
School heads
As the government of the day has mentioned that schools need the best qualified people for the school’s top position but it has to be proven unless these post holders do what they are supposed to be very good at. These issue will probably solve the number of teachers in schools as the heads weren’t in numbers required by each school previously. This would also mean a better relationship between the heads and the children. Also, the heads were teaching all their teaching career until becoming heads and teach again until retiring will always keep their talent intact. Hopefully everyone will live happily ever after. Tomasi Boginiso Nepani Rd, Nasinu
FNPF issue
We seek your understanding on the plight of those many unemployed members that do not qualify, but I would like to ask the CEO of FNPF Jaoji Koroi to please recommend to the board of directors that the policy for the $2000 unemployment benefit for members be revisited and amended to be more user-friendly to whoever falls under that category who wish to withdraw at an appropriate time for the purpose they wish irrespective of whether one has been unemployed for six months, one, two or 10 years. It is their money and privilege. I believe the board and the CEO must understand that those many unemployed members may not need the monies six months immediately after leaving their employment but they may genuinely need their monies two years down the line. I had met a Fijian couple who wanted to withdraw their unemployment benefit to assist them move to the Cook Islands where they have both found a job after being unemployed for some years but were told the opposite and there are many other stories of the same we hear from unemployed members throughout the country. They were in desperate need to facilitate their departure for greener pastures but were disappointingly turned away because of the policy. If the FNPF CEO and the board are holistically serious and honest about taking care of the member’s future welfare, please have a heart and change the rules to benefit them as it is a great inconvenience in their hour of need. Being unemployed can easily be verified through their fortnightly or monthly contributions should our FNPF compliance team be doing their job right, the request is a concern to the now many unemployed members and is detrimental to their needs and progress. Tukai Lagonilakeba Namaka, Nadi
Taxis and me
Still on taxis, last year I remember writing about the time when I was dressed shabbily and tried to stop a taxi in Waiyavi. All the taxis that came by would slow down and speed off when they saw me. Now taxis are going around tooting looking for passengers. On Saturday, I was dressed shabbily with mud on me. I had been weeding my backyard garden and went looking for taxis. The first one I hailed, stopped, the driver even had a smile for me. On Saturday, a friend and his wife had just gotten off the bus to go shopping and were waiting to cross the road near the Lautoka City mall and all the taxis that came by signalled if they need a ride. Somehow it’s becoming a nuisance with the number of cars slowing down to ask if you wanted a ride. I only hope they can do shift work and taxis be available at midnight. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
Nightclub sign
Written outside a nightclub in Nadi, “God Bless in 2019”. Hahaha! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Time for change
Forgive the past before improving the future. Dan Urai Lautoka
Bala’s tenure
Past Local Government Minister Praveen Kumar Bala could not implement local government elections during his tenure because reviewing the legislation took time and new minister Premila Singh has now said that the elections may not be anytime soon (FT 06/01). With this type of statement, I hope and pray that this right for ratepayers to elect their own representatives would become a reality before the next general election or hopefully within my lifetime. Emosi Balei Suva
Manifesto issue
The general elections, some four years ago, it was in the FijiFirst manifesto to have a local town and council elections, the new minister Premila Kumar is indirectly saying that we don’t need municipal elections in her meeting in Nadi and Ba last week. It will be interesting to find out if it is her personal views or Government’s view? John Brown Drasa Vitogo, Lautoka
Hair scratching
Allen please invest in some “kutu” medicine so you won’t scratch your head that often and in the process stop taxis. Kaila! Vijay P Madhavan Borron Rd, Suva
Premila’s plans
I believe the revelation by the Local Government Minister Premila Kumar that there are no plans to hold municipal council elections (FT 06/01) continues the unfortunate plans and undemocratic structure of the councils with special administrator formats. I believe ratepayers will have to put up with such formats mostly undemocratic and elected councillors will have to wait. Amenatave Yaconisau Palm Drive, Delainavesi
Rugby politics
In 7s rugby the defending champion begins its downfall when difference in score lines against opponents are marginal. I believe politics is no different. Dan Urai Lautoka
Letter writers
I wonder what Simon of Rava Estate, Savusavu and Tuks of Namaka, Nadi get in supporting the government of the day through their letters in The Fiji Times daily? l am only asking. Naca Nabukavou Nadi
Anne Dunn
I would love to see Anne Dunn as the new Speaker of Parliament. Sukha Singh Labasa
