Low water levels!
NEW that the major water supply sources in the three main divisions across the country are now operating at critical levels must drive relevant authorities to strategise.
In an extreme case, rationing programs and water carting assistance would be in the best interest of Fijians who would be affected because of water cut and shortage.
Water is a basic need, and every Fijian must have access to safe and clean drinking water.
According to WAF, the Wainikoro and Nasalasala systems, three systems in Rakiraki, and the Vaturu Dam, which services Nadi and Lautoka water systems, are on critical levels.
The Tamavua water supply system is expected to deteriorate and impact water production.
Fijians must brace for tough times and store water for drinking, washing, sanitation and cooking.
Let’s be proactive and not wait for the last minute. Avoid the blame game- utilise tanks, buckets, bottles and basins to fill and store water.
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Coup reason
WASN’T the actual motive of past coup d’etats, specifically in 1987 and 2000, to safeguard the indigenous sovereignty and ensure iTaukei supremacy?
In my understanding, it was all about fighting for the “cause” to enable native Fijians to secure a brighter future. Well at least that is what I can decipher from the two coup leaders (Rambo and Speight) while vindicating their unlawful actions to the media after toppling democratically elected governments.
Looking back after the post-coup years, I do not think the iTaukei populace has flourished much as 75 per cent of them still linger in poverty in their own land.
The recurring coup culture in third world Fiji has cultivated nothing positive but devastation to its own people. Who were the coup leaders kidding?
And yes, no amount of “fasting and prayers” would fix that.
NISHANT SINGH Lautoka
Death law
“THOU shalt not kill” is one of the commandments. But like with all other laws in Fiji, you change, amend and apply the law as you go and as you please depending on the whim of someone at the time and the circumstances at the time and who you want to put away at the time.
The people of Fiji are truly blessed.
JAN NISSAR Sydney, Australia
Municipal elections
MR Apted makes valuable comments in the Times on the Municipal Council Election Legislations etc. Of course it is a case of different strokes depending on where you live. Tavua is a very small player, but prior to the FF “Great Imposition” as I term it, the Town Council was very effectively run by non political people, two independent groups having contested the last election.
Personally, I don’t wish this independence stance to change, the only question I have is probably countrywide, exactly who is allowed to vote in these elections??
ALLAN LOOSLEY Tavua
Drug abuse
HIGH risk criminals are usually cashed up to the hilt.
They’re able to use the power of their ill gotten gains to “open” doors into the most sensitive and secure areas of the country. So they’re most likely buying their right of passage into outer island areas.
Even if it means bribing people in positions of authority so they get a smooth passage of entry.
Yes, the seedy underworld uses every available means, including the green back, to buy entry, loyalty and silence.
And they know how to grease the palms of usually vulnerable individuals who have no idea how their actions are affecting the health and wellbeing of other families including their own people and children in their own community.
Tragically, innocent bystanders become the “eyes”, “ears” and “feet” for evil people.
How does one counter this strategy?
By showing people visual evidence of the diabolical effects of drug abuse on every media channel in the country.
Only then might people begin waking up to the scourge that’s invading the country and begin helping the authorities to stamp out the criminal networks that are destroying the heart and soul of the nation.
COLIN DEOKI Australia
Breaking barriers
THE panel discussion entitled “Breaking barriers: Increasing Female Participation in Local Government Elections in Fiji” which happened on August 20 and was organised by Dialogue Fiji was very enlightening.
Very appropriately quoted that evening was the statement made by Margaret Thatcher, the woman who made her mark in the history of women in politics as, The Iron Lady, where she famously said, “If you want something said, ask a man.
If you want something done, ask a woman!”
Also noteworthy were points made with regards to social media and women which were that the focus on women in the media was more on looks than on qualification and talent rendering women invisible and that Fiji’s social media is extremely cruel, extremely sexist, extremely destructive and especially of women.
My next takeaway was that election laws were an impediment to women’s participation as much of the law to govern local elections for instance is yet to be made. Simply put, “Women can’t play the game if the rules of the game aren’t clear!” And this goes for men as well!
I felt that the whole reason we were at such meetings discussing the issues faced by women in politics was because men just plainly did not understand the reason why women deserved to exist in parliament. And as such I feel that the real empowerment is needed more by our men folk, our media and those making our laws.
I mean, if men can step straight from the garden into the playing field, then why can’t a woman go from the kitchen into Parliament?
And if God made woman because Adam was lost without her then who is man to question God when he should be questioning his need of woman instead!
And lastly, the woman’s role was so significant to the growth and development of man that he was instructed to love woman as himself, so why don’t you guys just scooch on over and make room in Parliament too and let us help you grow the real way! And please quit pretending that we are not smart enough! If we were really not that good enough, you wouldn’t be in Parliament in the first place!
NOLEEN BILLINGS Savusavu
Death sentence
The proposal by the Hon Tabuya (FT 22/8) for harsh criminal justice responses which includes the death sentence for drug smugglers into the country should be taken seriously. Though many may disagree but our justice system and citizens should take into consideration the damages that hard drugs have generated in our communities. This may not eliminate the problem but it can limit it from getting out of control. Our border control and security systems are limited in rehabilitative resources and transformative mechanisms to counter this evolving dilemma.
Harsher sentences will be a deterrent for the smuggling and production of drugs as it would limit their capacity of operations. The whole nation should not be at the mercy of the greedy few. A few countries in Asia (China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, etc) at the crossroad of drug smuggling have implemented death sentences to instil doubt and fear. Fiji needs to implement harsher sentences because the future of our young generation is at stake.
Mesake Sivoinavatu Saru Back Rd, Lautoka
Rule of law and FNPF
I wish to express my sincere appreciation for your excellent editorial (FT 21/08) regarding the FNPF’s failure to respond to the pleas for justice of its former members who became pensioners, and whose monthly pensions were significantly reduced in 2012, and the call to FNPF to redress the obvious breach of contract in an empathetic way.
Taking such a step will not only build trust in the corporate organisation (the pension uptake in 2023 was down to 3.7 per cent of its membership) but also to the strengthening of the rule of law in Fiji.
My gratitude also to Professor Wadan Narsey and Jackson Mar (FT 17/08) who so effectively demolished the scare mongering arguments presented by Geoff Rashbrooke (10/08).
Prof Wadan Narsey’s article showed among other things that the legal views of this actuary were baseless, and sought to undermine the regulatory and contractual obligations of FNPF to its members.
Upholding and respecting the laws of the state is surely more important than commercial dealings.
Jackson Mar provided comprehensive data from 1975 to 2023 from the FNPF’s own annual reports to show that the FNPF was never in danger of insolvency.
He also showed that the fund had made use of the buffer fund and 12 years of misappropriated pensions to make profitable investments. This meant that the affected pensioners had subsidised current members rather than the latter subsidising pensioners.
While the many victims of the 2011-12 reforms are grateful to Professor Biman Prasad for his recognition of the illegal reduction in their pensions and the full restoration of their monthly pensions using tax payers’ money, they do not consider the matter closed.
FNPF must respond to their demands that it takes responsibility for paying the full restoration of pensions, compensate them for the 12 years of misappropriation of part of their pensions, make reparations to those who took partial and full payment of their savings, and address the plight of the dependants of the pensioners who have died.
Professor Vijay Naidu Suva
Tabuya and the death penalty
Hon Lynda Tabuya’s call for the death penalty for those caught selling large amounts of drug has been rightly opposed by the Fiji Human Rights and Anti -Discrimination Commission. Your ‘Street Talk’ respondents in the majority said that this was an extreme measure.
I agree that the minister who should be better informed, has overreacted, and has made an unreasonable and disproportionate death sentence call. Fiji is not Texas or Mexico!
Vijay Naidu Raiwai, Suva
How effective?
How effective will be the Truth and Reconciliation Commission? I hope it’s not ineffectual like the Online Safety Commission.
Sobo!
Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Bring in the guns!
The death penalty for large quantity drugs traffickers as suggested by Women, Children and Social Protection Minister Lynda Tabuya is really too harsh and too fast for Fiji at this stage. Just bring in the guns and arm our bureau and all concerned that should be the first step.
MELi BOGILEKA Natabua Lautoka
Those courses
When I was in FEA, I did a defensive driving course, theory and practical. I also did a LTA defensive driving course which did not have any practical. I also did a boat master’s course for one week and got the boat master’s licence. I showed the boat master’s licence to John Barrot an Australian engineer and a fishing expert. When I told him it was a five-day course, he started laughing and said ‘it took me six months to do mine!’ To me all these courses are just money making courses.
Sukha Singh Labasa
Dental care
All the cares of the world — inflation, dry weather, water woes, drugs, potholes, reckless driving, raw noddles and so forth are meaningless when you have a toothache which awakens all the nerves and senses even when drinking tap water.
But, have you sometimes felt like wanting a horse to just kick you in the jaw? Well, it happened when I went looking around Nadi and found out that the dental consultation fees were just that — teeth-trembling and jaw-dropping!
Samu Railoa Nadi
Enthusiastic plans
It was a very interesting news revealed by the Nasinu Town Council chairman that the funds raised from the current Nasinu Festival will go towards the planned retirement home and the state-of-the-art childcare facility. I also suggest to use part of the funds raised to collect the green waste that is polluting the entire Nasinu area since January this year as per the collection schedule. Do the basics first.
Satish Nakched Suva
