Letters to the Editor – Thursday, March 21, 2019

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Vodafone Fiji National Football’s defender Ame Votoniu in action against Nerw Caledonia at the ANZ Stadium. Picture: JONA KONATACI

Bula Boys win battle

Our Bula Boys battled it out against New Caledonia and came out on top with a 3-0 win.

Since the Fiji vs Solomons clash last year, which ended in a draw, fans witnessed international soccer at home.

It was always going to be an uphill battle but our Bula Boys delivered when the opportunities came as the crowd support added to the fun and excitement.

It was nice seeing fans putting aside district differences and feelings and joining hands to support our national team and yes, our boys did not disappoint those who turned up.

Furthermore, a win against Mauritius on Sunday at Churchill Park will gift Fiji the Three Nations international friendly title.

In addition, the gesture by both sides to pay respect to the victims of the Christchurch massacre on the “Ides of March” was highly appreciated!

Finally, it saddened me to hear about the passing away of former Fiji and Nadi football defender Inosi Tora, who captained our national soccer team when Fiji beat Newcastle United 3-0.

Such talents that Inosi had!

RIP captain!

Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu

World Water Day

World Water Day on March 22 every year is about focusing attention on the importance of water.

The theme for World Water Day 2019 is ‘Leaving no one behind’ exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in this century.

Water is an essential building block of life.

It is more than just essential to quench thirst or protect health; water is vital for creating jobs and supporting economic, social, and human development.

Today, there are more than 663 million people living without a safe water supply close to home, spending countless hours queuing or trekking to distant sources, and coping with the health impacts of using contaminated water.

Damaged ecosystems affect the quantity and quality of water available for human consumption.

Today, 2.1 billion people live without safe drinking water at home; affecting their health, education and livelihoods.

Water is a vital necessity not only for humans, but animals and other mammals too.

Nature-based solutions have the potential to solve many of our water challenges.

We need to do so much more with “green” infrastructure and harmonise it with “grey” infrastructure wherever possible.

Planting new forests, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, and restoring wetlands will rebalance the water cycle and improve human health and livelihoods.

Sustainable Development Goal 6 commits the world to ensuring that everyone has access to safe water by 2030, and includes targets on protecting the natural environment and reducing pollution.

Neelz Singh, Lami

Help investors

The Fiji Police Force must address the problems caused by drunkards at the Wailoaloa Beach which has been highlighted by a letter writer this week.

I think now transportation should not be an issue as all divisions have been allocated a good number of vehicles to function properly.

I believe drinking in public places is prohibited and you just have to enforce the laws to keep the culprits at bay persistently.

I believe this issue is coming up again and again because of the lack of enforcement and policing in the area.

Mind you this place is a multimillion-dollar investment and a tourist attraction which brings in the much-needed tourist dollar every day.

Like us, tourists also want to come and relax here without any trouble.

We must always work towards ensuring that all visitors leave our shores happily and without any regrets.

I urge the authorities to join forces and eliminate the problem before our country’s reputation and image as a good tourist destination is tarnished.

Repair takes time whereas not letting it happen is much better.

I think people won’t drink if they see the police.

So, let’s have a police post which solves the problem.

Please help the investors and the industry too.

Suresh Chand, Nadi

Wasted lives

In your edition of (FT 16\03), there was a picture of the New Zealand High Commissioner presenting a tractor to the principal of a vocational college for boys, just outside Suva; run by the Catholic faith.

In the words of his excellency, while handing over the farming, implement I quote, “I am very impressed of the determination of these young men who are working very hard to get a good life for themselves” end of quote.

Very encouraging words indeed your excellency!

Especially for young people trying to succeed in life.

However, on that very same page, immediately just below that article there was a court report of also two young men found guilty of robbery, abduction and damaging property.

They were reportedly being sentenced to 12 and 13 years in prison respectively.

What a waste of productive lives being incarcerated inside four concrete walls in all those years when there is a lot of better things to do in life instead.

Young people of today ought to be taught and reminded there is no short cut in life, if one wants to succeed, only through hard work, discipline and sacrifice.

Taniela Senikuta, Sauva Settlement, Tailevu

Roadblocks

I believe each time there has been a prison or police custody escape, roadblocks have been set up.

How many times have escapees been caught via this method?

Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka

Social media

I believe those Fijians who are turning to social media to support the actions which has led to 50 deaths so far are no different from the person who allegedly carried out those actions.

Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka

Happy Holi

Holi festival, which is often referred to as New Year celebration for Hindus, will be celebrated today and is bound to bring people together.

Holi is all about sharing of sweets and food, playing with colours and singing chautals or Holi songs.

Yesterday’s The Fiji Times had an important message for all Fijians on the occasion of Holi and I quote the lines: “We have an opportunity to appreciate an event that we can learn from. We live in a country that is special. We are fun loving people. We value friendship, talk about many things and appreciate many other things”.

Holi gives Fijians an opportunity to show our true multicultural colours and that we are peace-loving people who are united in one course.

Happy Holi!

Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu

Fishing lure

Once I had two fishing lures in my carry bag and the security guy confiscated them because it had triple hooks on them and he thought it was a security risk.

I asked the security to give the lures back to me so I could give them to an air hostess to carry it for me to Labasa from Suva.

Up until today, I haven’t been able to figure out how I could have used the lures in mid-air if I wanted to do something bad.

I think we are so lucky that we do not have any security checks at Labasa, Savusavu and Taveuni airports.

Sukha Singh, Labasa

Staff shortage

I am surprised to learn from The Fiji Times report that the University of the South Pacific (USP) has a staff shortage problem.

I thought USP was originally conceived to cater for the manpower needs of the countries in the region.

Well, clearly USP needs to put its own house in order first!

Wonder whether there was post-coup persecution that played a part in creating the problem at USP?

Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia

Our safety

In the wake of the Christchurch massacre, the Prime Minister has personally assured the Muslim community and the rest of Fijians of their safety.

But sir, for a country such as Fiji, I believe the citizens are not so at risk from external sources as internal ones.

The citizens of Fiji need safety assurance from the thugs among us.

Things change when they change and turn on us.

They are our biggest threats.

We need safety assurance within our homes and streets.

We need assurance that we can safely stay in our homes and compounds.

I believe we need assurance that we can safely walk the streets at any time.

We need assurance that our property is safe.

We need assurance that we can conduct our daily activities without hindrance from criminal elements around us.

Mohammed Imraz Janif, Natabua, Lautoka

Savusavu internet

Whatever happened to Savusavu and the North receiving faster internet connection after the installation of the $16 million Suva-Savusavu cable project last year?

Officiating at the launch of the cable, our Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama told members of the public in early September last year that such a development took years of careful planning to deliver.

It’s been more than six months since you launched this IT infrastructure Mr Prime Minister sir, but nothing has changed.

As a matter of fact, reception along the southern coastline has gone worse with sporadic connections experienced on a daily basis.

We get charged for a service that is based on time and at present most of this time is spent waiting for consistent fast internet connection!

I can understand that such a project takes years of proper planning, I just hope it doesn’t take as long for it to work and serve its purpose!

Simon Hazelman, Rava Estate, Savusavu

 

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