Drua needs bonus point win
We all hope that our Fijian Drua have watched the replay against the Hurricanes, realise their mistakes and work on improving them as they prepare for their next home game this week against Moana Pasifika. Moana narrowly defeated the Fijian Drua in round two and they both have 13 points, but the Drua is placed 7th while Moana is in 8th position. Interestingly, the NSW Waratahs are in 9th place with 12 points while the Highlanders are in 10th with 11 points. Both teams have home games this week and will aim for a home win with a bonus point. Therefore, our Fijian Drua must win at home this week to maintain its 7th position. Another loss to Moana Pasifika will mean dropping to 8th or 9th, depending on the results of the Waratahs and Highlanders this week. Despite the loss last Friday to the Hurricanes, we all know that our boys will make it up this week against Moana Pasifika. Toso Drua toso. SAVENACA VAKALIWALIWA Kattar Singh Rd, Tacirua, Nasinu
Get basics right
The Hurricanes showed why they are the team to beat in Super Rugby as they hammered the Drua 38-15 in front of a jampacked HFC Bank Stadium. The home fans turned up in numbers to cheer on the Drua who were sluggish in the first half and made simple errors and poorly executed set-pieces in the second half. They missed numerous try-scoring opportunities. The Hurricanes incurred
three yellow cards to win and stretch their winning start to the season to eight matches and ending the Drua’s unbeaten record at home. The win showed the visitors fighting spirit and
character and their desire to win, while it highlighted the Drua’s inefficiency to capitalise on their chances. The Sunday Times identified two key words – “costly errors”, and these must be rectified.
Statistics favoured us, but we failed to score tries. The Drua have work ahead of them, as they face the Moana Pasifika in a must-win battle at Churchill Park. The Drua must get a bonus-point win to cement their chances of making the top eight. They must get the basics right. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Annoying speedsters
In the absence of properly trained professional police traffic officers, even randomly, during after hours later than 10pm, the stretch of the Queens Rd along Martintar, Nadi, often becomes a sprint track for several show-off drivers. They rev-up, screech wheels with their loud and noisy motor vehicle exhaust systems. Will the traffic department of the Fiji Police please carry out their own investigations to prove me wrong. Your random presence in appropriate vehicles to “catch and detain” these show-off drivers from being a public nuisance causing danger to all road users, disturbing the peace and being reckless, is highly recommended, in my view. Such show-offs belong to their enthusiasts sporting “drag” at Pacific Harbour not in Martintar. I am positively certain many Martintar residents will agree with me. Such drivers are a nuisance, even well after midnight any day. RONNIE CHANG Martintar Nadi
Restructure of GCC
One of GCC’s aims within its proposed restructure is to oversee the economic empowerment of the iTaukei. A very sensitive objective, in my view, that would necessitate the government of the day’s input. Change is good, but not all is progress. The iTaukei had their fair share of wealth right from the day they were born – their inherited mataqali land. Of all Fiji resources, over 80 per cent is owned by the iTaukei and yet, all through the years since independence, they were always struggling behind the “scenes of wealth”, that were produced by their very own inheritance. The platform of the iTaukei wealth can only be materialised by securing the “appropriate regulatory reform”, of their land’s development. Solutions will not be found, while indigenous people are treated as victims, for whom some else must find solutions. The ball is now in the GCC’s revitalised court. Let us hope it understands why the wait was necessary. SAMU SILATOLU Nakasi
Drinking in public
Despite several concerns raised via this platform regarding drinking parties hosted in public places, there hasn’t been the slightest change in confining and curbing this annoyance. Our Marine Drive is no exception and with the hopeless Shirley Park police post located metres away from this popular landmark, groups of inconsiderate and uncouth drunks continue to defiantly booze along this 1.6km stretch of seawall. Lautoka, a city now synonymous with glue sniffing, has become an eyesore with such unsolicited nuisance. Just take a walk through the CBD and other surrounding vicinities on an early Sunday morning and be rest assured to encounter cripplingly intoxicated and half naked alcoholics of all ages knocked out in almost every street corner. A filthy sight indeed. And then we appropriately blame the current high cost of living and wage rate as one of the major contributing factors driving 75 per cent of Fijians into abject poverty. With a despondent police force and to avoid any form of conflict with the Marine Drive drinking squads which could lead to a nasty confrontation and a few cracked skulls, I have now found an alternative and a hassle free environment to continue with my excise (sorry exercise) regime. NISHANT SINGH Lautoka
Party leader
Can help but ask, what’s next? DAN URAI Lautoka
Movie incentive
Interesting that the owners of Damodar Cinemas also own Damodar City. I always feel ripped off each time I pay to watch a movie and particularly if it’s in the premium cinema then I’m asked to pay $6 on top for parking fees to watch a long movie. Like Village 6, why can’t parking be free for the duration of the movie and the client can settle the difference if he/she stays longer to eat or shop?
I’m pretty sure there’ll be way more bums on those cinema seats! NOLEEN BILLINGS Savusavu
Nabua town
It is time Nabua town has its own special administrator, mayor and councillors to improve the township. In addition, it’s own retailers association. Its own fire station too. Relevant stakeholders can seriously look into this. ASISH VINAY PRASAD Park Rd, Raiwasa
Pay rise for nurses
I am so happy that the nurses finally got their pay rise. The Fiji Nurses Association’s efforts have reaped fruits. Nurses pay scale for Band F salary scale has been restructured according to their experience and an additional 8 per cent retention allowance. Hopefully, this helps retain our experienced nurses in Fiji. We have a lot to learn from the FNA as far as negotiating for members rights are concerned. DINESH KUMAR Ba
Tax returns
Has FRCA processed the tax returns from 2020, 2021 and 2022? I have returns, but seems like FRCA is very very silent. They will send reminders and have penalties for late submissions. Who will penalise them for delay in payout? KUNAL PRAKASH Auckland, NZ
Stand by her man
Sainiana Radrodro knows what she has gone through during the recent months. She is a brave woman, and I salute her for standing by her husband Aseri Radrodro, the former education minister, amid the political turmoil. As I congratulate Radrodro for being appointed leader of SODELPA, I thank Mrs Radrodro for her continuous love and support towards Radrodro. As a loving and caring wife, she has embraced her role. All the best Radrodro in your capacity as party leader. I also thank SODELPA for standing by the Coalition Government! Much has been achieved in partnership. God bless! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Such a disgrace
I am embarrassed to be a Fijian when I see the disgraceful way Fijians treat their environment. I fail to comprehend the devastation that is caused by the wilful littering, dumping and deliberate ignorance to litter laws that are meant to govern our behaviour on such matters in this country. There is no excuse. The big issue I see is not using rubbish bins with lids when putting out rubbish. The poor, starving, homeless dogs are blamed every time for ripping open the garbage bags left out on the roadside, yet the human should know better. Worst still is the attitude by the humans to garbage collectors who maintain the collectors will deal with it. It should not be the case at all and I don’t see why they should. Is it in their job description to collect dirty, stinky rubbish by householders who won’t use bins? This is a violation of the Litter Act, but it is not enforced so there’s the rub, as Shakespeare would have said. A question here needs to be asked: Why is it the public get away with garbage bags left on the roadside and not penalised for not using garbage bins? If the public were fined then surely they might find it worth investing in a bin. The dogs won’t be attracted to this, either. At the least, it would bring-in extra revenue. This is a public health issue. What is the Ministry of Health doing to curb the disease caused by the filth of decomposing household waste? What is the Ministry of Environment doing to protect our streets and waterways from pollution? What about Tourism? This is an eyesore for any tourist wanting to see the ‘real’ Fiji.
Enough is enough. There needs to be much stricter penalties in-place. Get serious about them by enforcing them. Something needs to change. Awareness is just not enough. No one wants to know. Presently and for a long time it is so easy to get away with dumping of rubbish. There needs to be some naming and shaming. I am ashamed to be Fijian with such a mindset that exists. JULIE SUTHERLAND Delainavesi, Lami
Pay rise for nurses
I commend the Fiji Nursing Association president Dr Alisi Vudiniabola for consistently raising issues and grievances of her members. The 65th Fiji Nursing Association annual general meeting concluded at the Grand Pacific Hotel and nurses and midwives got good news. Thank you so much Dr Atonio Lalabalavu, our Health Minister, for taking into consideration the plight of our nurses and midwives and assuring them that they would get a well-deserved salary increase. Our nurses, doctors and midwives have been working diligently, taking the extra mile. They worked long hours under duress during the COVID-19 pandemic, but their pleas were flushed down by the previous administration. The Coalition Government has won hearts by announcing the salary increase. This should reduce the brain drain in the health sector. Now that nurses and midwives have received good news, I’m anticipating my government, which believes in the principles of democracy, to work out something for our teachers. Being a teacher, I have witnessed my experienced teacher friends leave Fiji for greener pastures. Many are contemplating a move to NZ and Australia. We can’t afford to lose these teachers, as it will affect the delivery of education. I know, as a developing country, we can’t match the package offered by Australia and NZ, but something can be done to retain them. I’m adamant teachers will soon be receiving good news as well! In addition, thank you Agni Deo Singh, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, for engaging academics to review the national minimum wage and the 10 sectoral wages! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
