Colonial War Memorial Hospital
Nowadays coming to know of any mishaps at the CWM Hospital does not create any frustration, rather sadness. It is becoming a very sad and pitiful situation. We all know that hospital is ageing. We cannot wait for the whole building to collapse before the alternative is in place. The time for blame game has even expired. We are dealing with people’s lives here which is paramount. Spilling of water in the operating theatre is not funny but then again something always keeps popping up in that hospital. Enough is enough. We know the chain of complaints for this hospital is from years back and neglect but we don’t want excuses and the blame game. We need action for the sake of those sickly, helpless, vulnerable people who deserve better service from their own people in their own country. Let’s speed up the process of the new hospital before it comes crumbling on the grounds. Kirti Patel Mohan Singh Pl, Lautoka
How much time?
Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu has boldly admitted that it will take a “considerable amount of time” to fix the ongoing woes at the crumbling Colonial War Memorial Hospital (FT 12/11). Could the good minister please be more specific about this timeframe? Critical patient care, including life-saving surgeries, continue to be disrupted regularly, and the public deserves clarity. The now-dissolved FijiFirst regime had 16 years to address the decay within our health sector but chose to neglect it. Meanwhile, in the past four years, the Coalition Government has prioritised overseas junkets and blamed previous leaders for leaving Fiji in financial ruin. Speaking of taxpayer-funded excursions, did I hear correctly that Prime Minister “Stee” is heading out again, this time to Japan? With no visible economic progress since the election victory, this government may well be the most travelled (khali ghumo) in Fiji’s history. No wonder we remain a miserable third world country. Well, make the most of it, I suppose because things are bound to change for the better come 2026. Tik tok, tik tok… Nishant Singh Lautoka
It will take time
In response to the report of sewage spill and contamination at the CWM Hospital, it is so good to be informed by the Health Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu that they have an “on going master plan” to fix the shitty state of our public heath facilities (FT 12/11). What can possibly be more reassuring for the Fijian public? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Away with mats
I do really appreciate the initiative and the stand taken by the Fiji Corrections Service to do away with mats during funerals in State cemeteries. As mentioned by the acting commissioner, the size of graves is guided by the Act and some times they have to breach their Act just to accommodate those mats. It’s not only that but it’s also time consuming. The best part of it is, it will be more beneficial to families as they can utilise those mats for more purposeful events in life. And last but not the least, our mat weavers are declining by the day. So stop burying those mats. Pita Soroaqali Rakiraki
Essence of democracy
The Constitution must be amended to restore genuine independence to our Members of Parliament. Right now, they serve merely as extensions of their parties rather than as representatives of the people. I believe Section 63(1)(h) of the Constitution requires Members of Parliament to vote strictly along party lines, or risk losing their seats. But what, then, is the purpose of having 55 Members of Parliament if only a handful of party leaders ultimately decide on every matter? As a citizen, if I wish to share my views on a proposed bill with the representative I voted for, what difference would it make when that member has no freedom to act or speak contrary to the party’s command? Why should a Member of Parliament be denied the right to hold an opinion that differs from the party line? Isn’t that the very essence of democracy? It’s time we revisit the fundamentals of democracy itself. Sadly, none of those calling for constitutional reform have clearly articulated what specific changes they propose. Some of us are not impressed by the grand speeches — we will be impressed when leaders can point, section by section, to the provisions of the Constitution that need a change. Kiran Khatri Samabula, Suva
Worker’s welfare
Asst. Health Minister, Penioni Ravunawa, shared his concerns regarding PALM employees working and living conditions. Has he been given an extra task? Did he study the Health Ministry’s deteriorating system? And during his visit in Australia, I believe the Labour Minister was also present. Who is who? Wasn’t this the Labour Minister’s concern? All public funds waste unnecessary trips. Who is to be blamed? Just like most similar trips, no one seemed to be accountable, in my view. Even the PM seems not to be bothered. Ms Tabuya, Minister for Information, used to say, “It is not their father’s money”. Maybe now, it is the Coalition Ministers’ fathers’ money. The self enrichment and self entertainment behaviour, in my view, haven’t diminished at all. It is like the FFP’s administration just handed over the “torch” to the Coalition. Do the people need to be continuously dishonoured and disrespected? The ball is in our court. Samu Silatolu Nakasi
Bullseye Kirti!
Thanks Kirti Patel for your brilliant reply (LTE 13/11) to your new ‘admirer’ from Sydney. I offered Jan Mohammad Nissar a charitable challenge some years ago through the LTE and wasn’t expecting a response, yet my challenge still stands, be it in Sydney or Fiji. Steven Singh Sydney, Australia
Fiji tourism
The Fiji Times opinion on “Tourism, increase of visitors” (FT 6/11) is encouraging as we look forward to economic growth for Fiji. The Bula smile! Fijian way of welcoming “vulagi” makes them feel at home away from home. They always look forward to returning. Keep it up Fiji. Land of hope and glory — with ever warm hospitality. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Issue of justice
with all the talk about making the courts more efficient, I find myself puzzled to discover that under our present system, it takes no less than three High Court judges to decide whether to recommend to the President that the suspended Correction Service Commissioner be terminated whereas it only requires one judge sitting on his own, without even assessors to assist him, to convict a man of arson, murder or treason. Michael Scott Morris St, Lautoka
Exam papers
Another concern in our beloved Fiji. Exam papers stolen from a school. Why allow external exam papers to be kept in a school? Papers should be kept under the Education Ministry jurisdiction right until exam starts. Wow, what a concern. Aminisitai Tora Nadera, Nasinu
Waste water challenge
In an explanation about the waste water spillage at the CWMH operating rooms, the three-wheeler Coalition Government Health Minister replied in a statement on the People’s Alliance social media page “Rome was not built in a day”. Excuse me honourable minister, may I remind you that it only took the government that you’re part of, less than two years to raise all your salaries, allowance and benefits. Please cut the BS and look in the mirror honourable Lalabalavu. If you were really chosen by the people for the people, then I guess you and all those beneficiaries would have not prioritised your own pockets at first. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi. AREKI DAWAI Suva
Road safety
The increasing frequency of road accidents and fatalities on Fiji’s roads is a deeply concerning trend that compels a proactive response. I wish to put forward a solution that I believe addresses this critical issue of public safety while simultaneously providing a new stream of revenue for the government. I acknowledge that my proposal may not be universally popular, but I ask for the opportunity to present my argument for consideration. The core of the problem, from my observation, lies in a dangerous cycle of frustration and risk taking. A significant number of serious accidents appear to be the direct result of dangerous overtaking maneuvers. These often end in tragic head on collisions or cause drivers to veer off the road into drains and cliffs in a desperate attempt to avoid a crash. To understand why drivers feel compelled to take such risks, we must examine the conditions that create this frustration. The primary catalyst is the prevalence of underspeeding. On our national highways, where the maximum speed limit is 80kilometres per hour, it is common to encounter drivers travelling at speeds as low as 60kilometres per hour, even in the absence of any traffic ahead of them. This creates a significant speed differential that builds frustration for following drivers. This problem is exacerbated by the sheer volume of cars on our roads today, which makes finding a safe gap for overtaking increasingly difficult. The result is that frustrated drivers often choose to overtake even when the situation is unsafe. A notable contributor to this phenomenon is the growing number of hybrid vehicles. The drivers of these cars have a valid economic incentive to maintain lower speeds to maximise fuel efficiency. However, this rational individual choice creates a detrimental effect on the overall traffic flow and safety. I was struck by a personal account from a relative whose taxi journey from Nausori to Sigatoka took nearly four hours because the driver explicitly refused to exceed 60km/h to save fuel. The frustration for every motorist trapped behind such a vehicle is palpable and understandable. The ideal long term solution to this problem is the development of dual carriageway highways. However, this is a monumental infrastructure project that seems unlikely in the foreseeable future, especially when public funds are insufficient for fundamental road maintenance like repairing potholes and repainting lane markings. Therefore, we must seek a more immediate and practical measure. I propose that the Highway Police and the Land Transport Authority begin to systematically enforce penalties for dangerous underspeeding. The strategy would be straightforward. Law enforcement officers could position themselves in 80km/h zones and monitor for drivers travelling 20km/h below the posted limit when there is no impediment ahead. This single enforcement action creates a win win scenario. It directly targets the behaviour that causes traffic frustration and dangerous overtaking, thereby making our roads safer. Concurrently, it allows officers to continue their vital work of catching speeding drivers. This approach offers a dual benefit. First and foremost, it would enhance road safety by promoting a more consistent and predictable traffic flow. Reducing the incentive for risky overtaking should lead to a direct decrease in head on collisions and related fatalities. Second, it would generate a new source of government revenue through the issuance of fines, providing a more targeted fiscal tool than broad based increases in import duties. While the dream of dual lane highways may be for a future generation, the crisis on our roads is a present day reality. Enforcing penalties for dangerous underspeeding is a necessary and actionable intervention. It is a pragmatic step that can foster safer driving conditions for all Fijians and contribute to public coffers, serving as a crucial measure until more comprehensive solutions can be realised. Depesh Ramanlal Varadoli, Ba
