Driven by mum’s love!
As I read the inspirational piece (FT 02/05) titled, ‘Lalama heeds mum’s advice’, the adage, ‘A mother’s love is something that no one can explain — it is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain. It is endless and unselfish and enduring, come what may, for nothing can destroy it or take that love away,’ came to the fore. Thank you, Andrew Naidu and The Fiji Times, for the success story, heading into the two weeks school break! Miriama Laura Sukabula Lalama graduated from USP with a diploma in library studies after a few years of hard work and sacrifice. The 21-year-old Cakaudrove lass, who was brought up by a single mother, who worked diligently to support her children, pulled through despite the adversities that surrounded her. Lalama had a dream of becoming a teacher, but her mum encouraged her to pursue a diploma in library studies first and then continue with her desired career after completing her diploma. Lalama encouraged young people to take up Library Studies. I agree with Lalama (FT 02/05), “It (library studies) is a fascinating field that goes beyond books. It connects you to various disciplines like sports, law, and medicine, and positions you within a profession that safeguards and preserves information for future generations.” A handy message to those who aspire to become a librarian! Best wishes, Lalama! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam
Nadawa, Nasinu
Bus stand pollution
The signs in the Suva Bus Stand, said “Switch off Engines ” clearly. But the buses parked underneath , had their engines idling carelessly, a clear sign of disobedience, against standing instructions. The bus drivers in violation, of the rules to curb pollution. Diesel and dust – filled air, hung like a veil in the station, The incessant noise hard to bear, things are going in the wrong direction. Close monitoring and policing definitely needed, for all our rules and standing instructions, if not, these won’t be always heeded, and there’ll always be transgressions! Edward Blakelock Admirals Circle, Pacific Harbour
Terry Gray
The Savusavu community is currently suffering great pain and sorrow at the tragic passing of Captain Terry Gray, skipper of the famous MV Searov. At 87, Terry was a well respected member of Savusavu’s older community. He passed away tragically, days after his home was broken into, in an act of robbery with violence. The Administrators of the Savusavu Community Facebook Page had this to say, ‘Our thoughts go out first and foremost to his wife, Travina, who was with him throughout the ordeal and remained by his side as he fought for his life. Our thoughts are also with the family of Captain Terry Gray in their time of sudden loss. Words cannot express the family’s tragic loss or the state of shock and grave concern that it has brought upon the Savusavu Community’. This incident raises many flags for known red zones in Savusavu and to what is being done about controlling crime and likely criminals in these areas. And we ask — Has Terry lost his life in vain? Are we going to settle back into our comfort zones and hope that the same incident does not fall upon another unsuspecting victim? Or are we going to clean up the cause of the issues that threaten our community as soon as it becomes a slight hint of a known and choose not to let it fester until it leads to death and destruction or heartache and pain? We hope that Terry’s sacrifice has not left us without reason to act or without a lesson to learn from or a caution to heed! The Grays could have chosen to settle in any other part of Fiji but they decided to settle and build a life in Savusavu and also to grow old among us! And it is tragic that Terry had to leave us this way! What happened to Terry is not to be tolerated and neither must it be forgotten! It must remain a warning to us all, particularly with the many obvious signs of societal degradation happening around us. We need all hands on deck to ensure that justice prevails for Terry and that such incidents never see the light of day in Savusavu! Rest In Peace, Captain Terry Gray!” Justice for Terry! Noleen Billings Savusavu
Hard of hearing
Can the good Pastor Sunia Vakamoce verify that none of his congregation asked the young lady crying out for help to be quiet as the church service was on? How does the good pastor know the incident occurred after the singing — Does this mean they heard the cries for help? Perhaps the preaching was also so very loud that I would hope the whole of Lagilagi benefitted from the sermon but drowned out the cries for help! This is a general question for all churches whose pastors use a microphone to then yell into to relay their sermons — perhaps the congregation are all hard of hearing? I am reminded of the following scripture: Matthew 6:6 – But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. I wish to quote from a Christian guide, “While the Bible shows some impassioned preachers, it does not endorse screaming or browbeating congregations. Effective preaching should focus on teaching God’s Word rather than drawing attention to the preacher”. Tai Smith Nasinu Sec Sch Rd, Kinoya, Nasinu
Speeding vehicles
I am calling on the Land Transport Authority officers, as well as our traffic police patrol staff to be near pedestrian crossings. Some of our young drivers don’t slow down when approaching crossings. Most drivers try to beat the lights on orange before the change to red. I believe if officers of both enforcement arm check pedestrian crossings, no vehicle can do what they do now. The lights on all these crossings must be that standard three colours of green, amber and red. The road authorities should do away with flickering lights. Lots of near misses. These are becoming death traps. Speed cameras must also be placed at all crossings, if officers cannot keep a watch on speeding vehicles. No overtaking should be allowed near pedestrian crossings. It is in the law book for drivers. Then why? Isikeli Nakato Raiwaqa, Suva
Spot fine
Wow! After the Coca-Cola Games last Saturday, the HFC Stadium was a garbage dump with a young three-year-old iTaukei boy seen on Facebook picking rubbish with a plastic bag. The Minister of Environment was nowhere to be seen helping, but his now advising people that spot fines will be issued on the day during the Drua versus Reds game! Too much hot air Bulitavu. Tukai Lagonilakeba Nadi
Street light
At the junction of Yasawa and Tukani streets (near the Lautoka Bus Station), there exists the facility of traffic lights. When trying to turn right into the Yasawa St, it doesn’t take long for the green light to change colour. I think it is less than 10 seconds. Why? I don’t know. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Test of confidence
Can our men and women turn the tables of history this weekend? Our Drua side take on Queensland, not at Churchill Park but at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Are they able to win away from Churchill Park? Meanwhile, the historical match between our Vodafone Fijiana and Wallaroos draws significant attention this week. The Wallaroos have an upper hand given that players are selected from at least three State teams whereas our team is basically reliant on players from one team. Whatever one’s views, these are two important matches, which test the resolve and confidence of our two teams. I am hoping for a determined performance by our Vodafone Fijiana side. Floyd Robinson Micronesia
Civil service
Were there any Civil Service Day marches during the colonial period? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
COI cost
So how much has the Commission Of Inquiry into FICAC on Barbara Malimali cost the tax payers of Fiji? Joyti Lal Makoi, Nasinu
COI report
Now that the final report of the CoI has been completed on the appointment of the FICAC boss, we now wait with bated breath for hopefully its release to the public and to learn how far its recommendations would be actioned. It would in my opinion say a lot about Government’s stand on corruption. Just saying. Emosi Balei Suva
400 page report
Commision of Inquiry submits 400-page report (FT 2/5). A big report which identified big problems. The Commission has done its job. The big question now is what will result from it? Rajend Naidu
Sydney, Australia
Another Day
How we feel every sunrise defines our life
This enthuses energy with greater stride
To live another day is something no money can buy
Only God’s divine gift we can try
We can plan life years ahead
But who can guarantee our next day of life?
What happens to us on another day
Cannot be explained in any way
Each day is a celebration of what we partake
We do not know what another day may indicate
Focus on what we don’t have causes sorrow and agitation
For we cannot envision another day may bring elation
Today life may be filled with possibilities
Tomorrow life may be plagued with difficulties
The wise live their life like there will be no tomorrow
The fools live their life like there will be tomorrow
The fluctuations of fortunes are uncertain
With noble purpose fortunes can be certain
“We shall pass through this world, but once “
Any good we wish to do, do it now with guts
Let’s not defer to another day
For another day may stay away
Let’s not save our kindness and generosity
For another day may prove stingy
Our mind should embrace life and death with equality
To keep our life today and tomorrow with equanimity
Now is the essence of life
Another day is the liability of life
Embracing that strength and energy inside us
Propelling us to face the day ahead in earnest
Tomorrow is another day
The day to smile again with ray BHAGWANJI BHINDI Laucala Beach Estate, Nasinu
Seafarer wages
Earlier this week, I listened to Fiji’s Minister for Employment, Agni Deo Singh, stress the obligation of employers to pay legal wage rates to workers; ‘every worker’. Seafarers fall into that category, but their wages remain at the whim of their employers – of inter-island ferries, local shipping services, and domestic longline fishing vessels. The daily pay for men working as deckhands on some of those (fishing) fleets receive on average $38 a day, a ‘day’ being, on average, 15 hours; and on ferries, around $20-25 a day. The deckhands on those vessels are the quiet (and unnoticed) achievers: it is they who set the lines, haul in the catch, clean and stack it so that the fishing companies (and Fiji Government) can achieve significant monies; it is the deckies on the ferries and local vessels who watch, organise and manage passenger and vehicle loads so that goods and people can safely travel here and there on Fiji’s sea. And to carry out those tasks, they have gone to ‘school’ and earned their seafaring certificates. At the beginning of 2024, the Fiji Government announced that it would be conducting a review of the national minimum wage and wages regulations. In my congratulatory letter of March 14, 2024 to the honourable minister, I asked whether ‘Seafarers’ wages would be included in the review. I am yet to receive a reply – but based on the wages paid currently, I can assume that the answer is ‘no’. Based on a maximum working week of 72 hours, the International Transport Workers’ (ITF) 2025 deckhand seafarer rate is $US673 ($F1536) per month, $US22.40 ($F51) per day with additional payments for overtime. Compare that to what Fiji seafarers are paid. Is it little wonder then that many experienced Fiji crewmen leave the industry and companies scramble for replacements? Please, Mr Minister. P. Kailola Suva
Blue town
The National Blue Town Framework! Wasn’t that years of work put in by Savusavu’s Justin Hunter for Savusavu? Just wondering. Noleen Billings Savusavu
