It’s never too late
SALASEINI Gonelevu shared a brilliant piece via yesterday’s People column. The story focused on 50-year-old Adi Alesi Talatoka Raboiliku Nabotiloma who is presently pursuing a Master of Arts degree, majoring in Fijian studies, at USP. Her story showed that things didn’t come easy for her. She encountered personal challenges but made sure she rose above them, although she eventually suffered a mental health crisis. However, she persevered, and I salute her family for being her pillar of strength. With their timely support, she managed to sail through her rough patch. Her belief in God, her prayers and spiritual faith, took her through, and she experienced a U-turn when she meditated on the divine and her spiritual health. Slowly, she began to regain her confidence and completed her studies. She had a timely message for the readers, “Follow your passion. As long as you have the determination, you will keep going regardless of how many times you falter.” Such an inspirational message from Salaseini! It’s never too late to accomplish a dream. One just needs to be determined, set focus, work hard, have a positive attitude, and believe in God. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
BBQ stalls
RECENTLY, two restaurants in Labasa were closed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) because of their non-compliance with food safety regulations. It’s great to see that MOH is coming down hard on restaurants not following proper guidelines. This proactive stance by the MOH is praiseworthy. Could the MOH extend its scrutiny to roadside barbecue stalls as well? Upon observation, it appears that some of these stalls may not be upholding adequate hygiene and food preparation standards. Out of curiosity, I’m interested in knowing how vendors who prepare food at home for sale in markets or on the streets are monitored. Does the Ministry of Health conduct home visits to ensure food preparation standards are being followed? SANJEET PRASAD Labasa
Province assistance
THE Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, in collaboration with the Fiji Development Bank, has initiated financial assistance for Fiji provinces. A strategic plan, I believe, that should be a “financial ablement” for those who are actually in need. However, some years ago, the Fijian Initiative, was also established for the Fijian Holdings Ltd. The intent was to come up with recommendations, to develop and assist ordinary iTaukei, to better themselves in all aspects of life. In the process, a FHL $20m interest free loan was granted by the government at the time. Unfortunately, the original intent was “overshadowed” by the very same people considered as marshals, saviours and guardians. Leadership is not an opportunity to satisfy one’s greed. Let us be hopeful that history will not repeat itself. For when there is money, there is also greed. SAMU SILATOLU Nakasi, Nausori
Improper disposal
I AGREE with Fiji Roads Authority that one of the contributing factors of flooding is the improper disposal of household waste in our creeks, drains and rivers, but the ageing drains is another problem as seen lately in Lautoka. The ageing drains cannot cater for increase in water volume from the frequent heavy rainfall. Some of these drains were build in 1950s to 1970s and at that time there were less development. It has been an ongoing problem for sometime and the only solution is for everyone to work together and stop the improper disposal of household rubbish in those drains. NARAYAN REDDY Lautoka
SAP process
IT is indeed interesting to note the influence of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the local economy not only in Fiji but globally especially in less developed countries. Last week we have been reading on social media about the finding by the World Bank of its Economic Update for March 2024 which was released in Samoa. Now on the front Page of The Fiji Times (13/03), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has found after its annual assessment on Fiji’s economy that there is no need to be alarmed about Fiji’s debt. Such statement by the IMF reminds me of Professor Patrick Lumumba’s speech on “Africa’s Economic Emancipation” in Ghana on the 22nd day of September 2016 where he said and I quote, “Whenever you hear IMF and the World Bank telling you that your economy is doing very well, we should be very worried.” In the same speech Prof Lumumba also talked about structural adjustment program (SAP). For people who may not be aware of SAP, it is a set of economic reforms that a country must adhere to in order to secure loan from the IMF or World Bank. After the IMF confirmed that there is no need for alarm on our national debt, however, comes the SAP which the IMF advised the need to “rebuild fiscal space” or to reduce debt level further in order to give Fiji more room to borrow in case of significant economic shocks. (FT 13/03) The logic to reduce debt level further in order to give more room to borrow, Patrick Lumamba is right in every way, we should be very worried even when we are told not to be alarmed. KOSITATINO TIKOMAIBOLATA- GANE Navua
40pc rise
SRI Lanka’s Cabinet has approved increasing the minimum wage by 40 per cent “to support workers struggling with living costs” (FT 28/3). What’s the minimum wage in Fiji? Are the work[1]ers in Fiji struggling with the living costs? RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Fixation with the past
WHAT are these fixations Fijians have to want to go backwards? Not just with their Government but now with the Mickey Mouse game as well. They have not only “elected” a “blast from the past” in Government, now they have appointed some blasts from the past in the Mickey Mouse game. Looking backwards is going to make them go forwards! Only in Fiji. But, clearly we all can see what happens when you look backwards. And then they all wonder why they are where they are! But one thing is for sure, and I have always maintained, Fijians (I mean all the people of Fiji) are truly blessed. JAN NISSAR Sydney, Australia
