Firing up the Flying Fijians
CibiVina du va levu, Vili Yaranamua (FT 22Nov).
Well spoken.
I fully agree.
Furthermore, very respectfully, may I add, our cibi needs some “firing up”.
We lack that explosive energy.
Somehow, greater “life must be breathed into” our age-old Cibi.
Will professional iTaukei choreographers please lend a helping hand?
More “explosive firepower” please.
Thank you, in advance.
Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Money smile
I am of the opinion that a few rich countries are waging a war of a different kind.
Their ammunition is money.
Cash- strapped countries in the South Pacific are the target, and it’s hard to say no when millions are offered, with a smile.
Sigh.
Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Lautoka
Two-man State
Someone said something in Parliament about a two-man Government.
I am trying so hard to recall who it was.
Could somebody enlighten me?
Sukha Singh, Labasa
What next
Did I hear it right, someone labelling our Government as the “zombie government”.
I was trying to visualise this.
Now our Government has got many types of names being created.
What will be next?
Kirti Patel, Lautoka
Measles vaccine
In 1875, the measles disease first came to Fiji via a trade ship.
About 40,000 people died.
Yesterday I was told that the hospital and health centres around Lautoka don’t have the vaccines for measles.
What is the Health Ministry waiting for?
Please do not take measles lightly.
John Brown, Drasa, Vitogo, Lautoka
Resign talk
The “scoring of Brownie points” and “resign language” on both sides in Parliament is belittling and troubling, to say the least.
So sad.
Ronnie Chang, Martintar, Nadi
Merit system
Is the proliferation of military personnel in post-coup Fiji’s civil administration a reflection of the “open merit system” (FT 19/11) or that of an old boy’s network?
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Needy people
I believe Lynda Tabuya is collecting funds for a former Parliament staff member who lost his job and who is in good health, but there are some needy children and adults who need medical treatment.
If she does that then I believe the public would rather appreciate that.
Jaheed Buksh, Korolevu
Kettle and pot
The Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has labelled Opposition MPs as a bunch of people who deliberately hide facts.
And the kettle said to the pot…!
Allen Lockington, Lautoka
Sevens discipline
Sevens coach Gareth Baber revealed that during the 2018/19 WRSS the national 7s team received 26 yellow cards and two red cards.
Now this must be addressed before the 7s series kicks off in Dubai.
During the Oceania 7s tournament Fiji was leading Australia (7-5) and then Sevuloni Mocenacagi, who is known for copping yellow and red cards, lost his cool and he was sent to the “naughty chair”.
The Australian 7s team immediately took advantage of this and scored two quick tries.
Ben Ryan was very strong against cards and he had a one-on-one talk with those who normally copped cards when he was the coach.
Regular awareness and education on the rules of the game must be carried out.
Our players must also be reminded about the rules at breakdown and contact areas as these are areas where we are often penalised on the WRSS.
Teams psychologically play with our boys and take away their cool for they know too well that this is one way to beat Fiji.
As we approach Dubai 7s, I’m pleading with Baber and the team management to take a serious approach regarding our discipline and to reduce the number of yellow and red cards that our players receive on the circuit.
It’s time to act now and address this issue because the yellow and red cards affect our game plan and put our players under unnecessary pressure!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Disorder of Opposition
I believe the current sitting of Parliament confirms the inability and disruptiveness of the Opposition and the very thought of this Opposition as the ruling party sends chills up my spine.
The fact that the Opposition Leader has called for the resignation of our prime minister after all he and his team have done for the nation is not only ridiculous but it just shows the lack of depth of character and lack of serious thought from the Opposition.
For those of us who lived through and witnessed the performances of past administrations, it is easy to conclude that this FijiFirst Government surpasses all other governments as far as the quality of and access to public services is concerned.
In just about every sector, while there is room for improvement, is far better off than past administrations.
The FijiFirst Government has invested heavily in our nation’s economy to improve our lives.
Much needed foreign investment is encouraged to ensure growth of several vital sectors and it does not take one to be an economist to notice and understand that the policies the FijiFirst Government has in place has been successful in ensuring the country’s economic growth.
This administration is doing the best it can considering the fast-changing world we are living in and the lack of understanding and ignorance of the Opposition and the minority.
Attitudes ought to change for the better, whether we are facing hard times or good times, and we need to remain motivated to listen, think, and learn from this progressive forward-thinking government.
We need to stop barking nonsense and making unfair accusations of blame, for this Opposition, I believe, could never do a better job!
Simon Hazelman, Rava Estate, Savusavu
Test for Fijiana
The Alivereti Doviverata Fijiana XV faces a resurgent Manusina Samoan brigade in a do-or-die clash at Churchill Park today.
The Fijiana was demolished by the NZ Development side (57-0) while the Manusina walloped PNG (65-15).
The likes of Lailane Burns, Lavenia Tinai, Sereima Leweniqila, Priscilla Siata, Raijeli Uluinayau, Rusila Nagasau, and Rusila Tamoi have been named by Ratu Dovi to lead the charge against our Pacific rivals and I hope that the Fijiana will play their hearts out and stage an upset.
My best wishes to Ratu Dovi and the Fijiana!
Please girls, forget the first disappointing outing and focus on the big one!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Drugs issue
A report online from The New Zealand Herald (21/11) says that two Fijian nationals have been arrested after $17 million of methamphetamine was found on a boat that arrived in Tauranga.
The arrested men, both in their 30s, appeared in the Tauranga District Court on Wednesday afternoon.
They face charges for the importation and possession of a class A controlled drug, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The not so shocking this is that the vessel arrived in Tauranga from Fiji on November 18 and a subsequent search by Customs located the methamphetamine hidden in bags in various locations on board.
In addition a large sum of money found on board has also been seized by Customs.
How good is our control at the borders?
Somehow, I am no longer shocked.
Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Lautoka
Grace matters
Dearest.
We are appreciative that “certain matters” relating to Grace Road Church which were being handled by the Ministry of Employment and police to allow for due process to take its course were in fact already “settled”.
With holiest gratitude, Amen.
Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka
Water supply
The water supply to the Deuba, Pacific Harbour and Navua area was disrupted on Friday, November 15.
We were informed that this was to enable the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) to conduct tests on the new Deuba Package Water Treatment Plant.
This plant, when it comes online, is expected to bring clean and safe treated water down the pipeline to our area.
We in this area, like in other parts of the country, have regularly faced water cuts and when water is supplied, there is often low pressure and brown and murky water in our taps.
This as we are often told by WAF, is caused either by debris clogging the inlets at the source; high turbidity of raw water; or burst mains.
Most of us here, have silently and frustratingly accepted such inconvenience, with the faith and hope –– albeit sometimes diminishing –– that it will turn out right one day, belated as it may be.
I understand that other capital works related to the Pacific Harbour regional water scheme from Deuba to Pacific Harbour, as well as the Navua and Pacific Harbour regional sewerage schemes, are still work in progress and yet to be completed.
This is very good news, if they are still on schedule.
I just hope that all the remaining works to complete the schemes, will not now be hampered by the budgetary cuts that we are told was made in the 2019/2020 budget.
An unfortunate result of this, is that these schemes may not be completed within the scheduled timeframe.
I sincerely hope that this will not happen.
It will certainly be a big relief for the households and the commercial and tourism sectors in our area, when these schemes become operational to supply us with good, clean, safe and a constant supply of water.
We all hope that will be very, very soon.
In the meantime, it will be remiss of me if I did not acknowledge the untiring work of WAF and particularly its field workers, who work in sometimes difficult and atrocious conditions 24/7 to keep water flowing in our taps.
This often goes unappreciated and must be mentioned.
Edward Blakelock, Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Measles outbreak
Reading about the deadly measles outbreak and the number of deaths associated with measles scares me.
I made sure that my wife Madhu, daughter Mahika and niece Jignasha were vaccinated as soon as alarm bells were rung and I do not regret my decision.
Unfortunately some people continue to turn a blind eye to warnings not realising that young children have lost their lives after being infected with the deadly disease.
The Fiji Times must be commended for raising alarm as far as measles is concerned.
Yesterday’s cover page is an indication of how seriously measles is taken by health authorities and I’m grateful that the Fiji School for the Blind cancelled its awards day after a student developed measles-like symptoms.
As of yesterday Fiji had nine confirmed cases of measles and the number could grow as we approach the school holidays.
I’m pleading with parents to get their children immunised and monitor them closely as they will be at home when the school holiday starts.
Finally, I hope that the Health Ministry will ensure that we have enough vaccines available to counter the measles outbreak in Fiji!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
Grace Road issue
We have been told that “all the matters pertaining to Grace Road Church has been settled” by Employment Minister Parveen Kumar while on the other hand “in the statement, Government said that certain matters were with the two agencies, we must allow due process to take its course without the interference of Government comment”.
What exactly and how has the matter been settled?
I believe for such comments regarding our country and its people, it’s our right to know the facts.
As for the documentary being tampered with, this has yet to be proven.
By the way, from what the documentary is portraying, the outrage of the people can be understood.
Kirti Patel, Lautoka
Jerry Tuwai’s form
Just wondering if Jerry Tuwai’s success in sevens rugby is because of the excessive consumption of Kraft Cheddar Cheese.
Sukha Singh, Labasa
