Dying industry
Prominent sugarcane farmer Arvind Singh has once again lamented about the issues facing the farmers. He talks from his own experience and his genuine concern for the welfare of the farmers. Fred Wesley in his editorial has highlighted how politics have created havoc in the industry, causing more bad than good. Let’s face the reality. The industry is bleeding profusely. It would be naive and ignorant of anyone to project a positive outlook in light of the confronting challenges. But the solution for these problems lies within Fiji and not outside. So let’s not waste more time and money on these globetrotting junkets. Only to return and kowtow to the Government for another $500million to keep the FSC afloat. What is the guarantee everything will be hunky-dory after that? I beg to ask if any cost benefit analysis has been carried out to assess the efficacy of the grants and subsidies that have been dished out in the last three years. I believe the taxpayers of this country have a right to know what is the return from this investment. I concur with Fred that a major restructure at all levels is crucial for the survival of the industry and must be pursued with some urgency. To begin with, we must first right size the industry, aligning it to the contemporary needs and also to improve efficiency. Let’s be frank. Do we still need so many bodies such as Ministry of Sugar, FSC, Sugar Cane Growers Council, Sugar Growers Fund and Sugar Research Institute of Fiji? Can some of them be merged into one entity. Thus not only cutting cost and eliminating duplicity of functions but making them more accountable. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
The belt, known as the rod!
As I suggested a little earlier, only the heads of schools should administer corporal punishment, and I recommended the belt as the ideal tool. The idea seems to have gained some mileage. With 60 per cent approval amongst stakeholders, corporal punishment doesn’t look like dying away. Now, students, listen. In case it does make a comeback, get the head teacher on your side. Call him/her sir/madam, or whatever is officially and culturally appropriate. But just behave well and study. That leather belt will start growing fungi due to prolonged unused time in the pedestal drawer. Donald Singh Suva
Water woes
If I was the Prime Minister of Fiji, I would at the onset, direct that all government ministers and sitting members of Parliament receive only their base salary until such time as the entire water service and infrastructure in this country was suitably upgraded to last another 100 years. There are to be no per diems /allowances paid and no overseas trips taken by any government minister or member of Parliament until such time as every Fijian has ready access to this commodity as part of his or her constitutional rights. This directive should serve to make a significant dent in the overall gigantic cost of such a project, expedite the process and prove that those who enter Parliament really do have the welfare of the country and its citizens at heart. Doe Miller Ritova St, Labasa
PM’s visits
PM Rabuka had public meetings with Tavua and Ba residents respectively on Wednesday and Thursday. “An opportunity for the public to seek answers and action from the PM, minister’s and civil service.” When will we, the people of Ovalau, get our chance? Till next Christmas? And if the ‘team’ ever visits our historic and world heritage home-town, where the birth of the nation began, please do bring us some “duty-free hot stuff”. I am sure there’s more than enough to share with us forgotten voters. (sigh) Anthony Sahai Levuka, Ovalau
- Editor’s note. The PM Sitiveni Rabuka was invited by the Fijian Media Association to be part of its Town Hall Forum at Tavua and Ba this week. Editors are now in discussions on the next venue for the Town Hall Forum.
Historic book finds new home!
Hearty thanks to 85-year-old former Suva resident Sandra Haycock for officially donating the original 1943 edition of History of Fiji, which is a significant piece of Fijian history, to the Fiji Museum! The handover, which took place at Suva’s iconic Grand Pacific Hotel, was fitting and solemn as it involved our rich historical ties to our colonial past. We celebrated our 55th Independence Day celebration on Friday, October 10, and the celebration ignited those glorious and beautiful moments from October 10, 1970. History of Fiji was first printed in 1943 and is considered one of the foundational texts documenting our early history, including pre-colonial life, the arrival of Europeans, and events leading up to independence. The book will add glamour to our historical collection as it will be resourceful — students, researchers and historians are sure to lay their hands on the priceless book. To Ms Haycock, a big vinaka vakalevu, madam! The thought that the book belongs to Fiji and not to you is great and shows your love and patriotism towards our beloved Fiji. Our history is precious as it defines who we are as Fijians. For Fiji, Ever Fiji! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Violence against children
Whilst the rest of the world is moving forward in respect of education, the FTA is proposing that corporal punishment be brought back in schools and that violence against our “churen” is the answer. How many primitives are there in the FTA? I guess a more appropriate question would be how many primitives are there in all of Fiji and are totally oblivious? And then they all wonder why the country is where it is! But one thing remains unchanged, the people of Fiji are truly blessed. Jan Nissar Osaka, Japan
Nationwide test
Church leaders wouldn’t be calling for a nationwide HIV test if their flock’s spiritual life was healthy and effective. Ironic eh? So just help your church members grow spiritually Padres. Sobo! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Roadside stalls
The strong and prolonged presence of produce sellers along Namaka footpaths, the roadside in Votualevu and along Wailoaloa Beach (on Sunday mornings), is clearly indicative of the weakness of Nadi Town Council to handle matters effectively. The procrastination has allowed vendors in Namaka market to be heard louder and more clearly today. They have been aggrieved. NTC’s reactionary stance has not been healthy, at all. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Coronation Park
The magnificent rain trees which are the crowning glory of Lautoka stand in the heart of the city: Coronation Park. Every now and again some money-grabbing plan to “develop” the park resurfaces and each time it has been soundly rejected by those of us who live here. I believe the present administration of Lautoka is the illegal creation of a discredited military regime which trashed our national and local democratic governance. The Rabuka government repeatedly promised to restore properly elected local authorities but, disgracefully, has broken that promise. The Lautoka City Council has absolutely no legal mandate at all to destroy Coronation Park. To do so would be the purest act of vandalism. Michael Scott Morris St, Lautoka
Workers’ rights!
Protecting workers rights. PM Rabuka: “Let me be clear: This Government is committed to ensuring that all workers in Fiji, local or migrant, enjoy the same rights, the same dignity, and the same protections under the law.” That’s why I believe this Government — Rabuka’s gang in government — gave the minimum wage workers a 50 cents pay rise and gave themselves a 130 per cent pay rise and additional perks. That must surely go a very long way in ensuring the dignity of the workers, right? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Potholes in Ba!
I am writing to raise a serious concern regarding a large pothole that has remained unrepaired for over eight weeks on the road directly in front of Island Pharmacy in Ba. This pothole currently takes up nearly half of the road and is causing significant and ongoing issues for motorists and local businesses. Every day, it leads to major traffic congestion as vehicles are forced to slow down or swerve dangerously to avoid it. This not only causes damage to vehicles but also creates a very real risk of accidents, especially when drivers make sudden maneuvers to avoid the pothole, often in poor visibility or during peak hours. Additionally, the disruption is leading to loss of productivity for commuters and businesses in the area, who are being unnecessarily inconvenienced by something that should have been promptly addressed. It is particularly frustrating for local business owners such as those operating in this affected area and those who pay their municipal rates on time, and for vehicle owners who continue to pay their registration fees and taxes. It is only fair that, in return, the infrastructure provided is safe, reliable, and properly maintained. I respectfully urge the Fiji Roads Authority to immediately dispatch a team to assess and repair the pothole. I also hope the repair is carried out to a lasting standard and not simply another short-lived patch that begins to fail within weeks, as is unfortunately the case on many of our roads. This is a matter of public safety and civic responsibility, and I urge you to treat it with the urgency it deserves. I look forward to seeing timely and effective action taken. Depesh Ramanlal Varadoli, Ba
Futsal IDC
I hope it will be as exciting as the 11s IDC 2025. Question to my very humble friend, the CEO of Fiji FA, how many registered Futsal clubs are in Labasa and if you can ask your area vice president how many Futsal club games were held this year in Labasa or for that matter, the whole of the North. I got an answer for you in advance. None! So how come Labasa has qualified for the Futsal IDC? Please practise what you preach. Deduct their points and put them out. Simple. I know you can do that and honour your words. While at it, for 2026, please make it mandatory for all districts to put the horse before their carts. Have their local league in both codes two to three months in advance, select the players from the local league to represent their districts. Right now it’s totally opposite. No local league, district teams are formed. Who you know attitude. Yet we want soccer to grow. Fiji FA is not at fault. It’s their reps on the ground. A. Shariff Shah Savusavu
Foreign workers and talent
At the recent Fijian Media Association Tavua Town Hall meeting, acting permanent secretary for Labour, Atish Kumar, stated that foreign workers are only brought in when local talent is unavailable. Quite frankly, that statement insults the intelligence of every hardworking Fijian who is struggling to find decent employment. A quick glance at our construction sites, textile factories, sugarcane farms, and now even in the retail sector, reveals a huge presence of foreign (no English) workers, particularly from Bangladesh. Many of these roles involve manual labour or basic customer service, jobs that do not require any specialised skills. So, what sort of “talent” is required to harvest sugarcane, clean stores, or drive delivery vans, Mr Kumar? The truth is far more troubling. We do not have a scarcity of willing workers in Fiji, we have a shortage of fair wages and decent working conditions. Many locals are locked out of employment not because they lack the ability, but because some employers prefer to rope in foreign nationals who can be paid “poverty wages”, overworked, and accommodated in squalid conditions with minimal risk of complaints. They (foreigners) can also forget about forming a union to voice their concerns. This isn’t about xenophobia, it’s about exploitation. If we are serious about empowering Fijians, we must stop using the “skills or talent shortage” justification to cover up what is, in many cases, a race to the bottom by unethical employers. The Government must enforce our labour laws more rigorously, investigate labour brokers, and ensure that local workers are given genuine opportunities before foreign labour is brought in. Our people deserve better. Nishant Singh Lautoka
