Stop the Hurricanes
Will the Fijian Drua stop the Hurricanes? We’ll have to wait and watch. Toso Drua! DINESH KUMAR Ba
Buckle up!
Fijian Drua duo Iosefo Masi and Vilive Miramira have promised a solid performance from the boys against the Hurricanes on Friday. They will play a pivotal role against the unbeaten Hurricanes who are on a rampaging mood after hammering the Chiefs. They boast big names and containing them will be a tough task for the Drua which is unbeaten on home soil. The Hurricanes know too well
what the Drua are capable of, especially with the huge crowd support and the shift in momentum. To the gang at Fiji Sports Council, since patrons are paying much for the tickets, please ensure that
seats are numbered, unlike last year when we had to search for empty seats. I’m sure those who are buying tickets over $100 deserve better and not poor service, as was witnessed against the Reds last year. All the best Fijian Drua! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Health assistance
The Coalition Government is focusing on the revamp of the CWM Hospital from the kitchen, to equipment and to patients’ beddings, to mention a few. I think, with the foreign development partners’ financial aid, we should be expecting a very modern “facelift”, for our largest long serving public hospital. The care of public health has to be one of the top priorities of the Government. For he who has health, has hope and with hope, has everything. And of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhumane. Healthcare is vital to all of us some of the time, but public health is vital to all of us, all of the time. A government’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest populace. The worst evils which mankind has ever had to endure, were inflicted by bad governments. Samu Silatolu Nakasi
Nadi taxis
Tourists being ripped off by taxidrivers in Nadi is nothing new. It has now become a norm for some taxidrivers from Martintar, Namaka, and Nadi Town to charge exorbitant amounts of money for transporting tourists to Denarau one way. A friend of mine was charged $30 from Wailoaloa to Denarau one way. Not only this, the driver did not even turn on the meter despite being asked. Such attitudes and greed for money will slowly plague the tourist industry. This is not the first case. Many tourists or relatives have voiced their concerns on social media, however, I’m appalled neither the Fiji Taxi Association nor the Ministry of Tourism have taken any steps to deal with this issue. The Fiji Taxi Association is quick to voice its concerns about illegal taxis, however, it suddenly turns silent when it comes to the behaviour of some taxidrivers. No wonder people resort to cheap and affordable services by private vehicle owners. Failure to look into this problem will cost the tourism industry in years to come. I hope relevant authorities and Nadi taxi association members will charge what they should. Avitesh D Kumar Ba
Planting at home
Backyard gardens are the in thing now. With the price of vegetables going up, we are going through tough times. We’ve been encouraged and in some ways forced to buy local products due to not having backyard gardens. Travelling around Lautoka, I spotted many little backyard gardens. Some citizens proudly display their efforts and some scamper for cover when vehicles pass by. NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
Cashless Fiji
It appears evidently and reportedly clear, that third world developing South Pacific island nation, Fiji, is bent on its accelerated pathways to a “cashless” economy, in order to “keep up with the Joneses” in developed nations like our big brothers in Australia and New Zealand, and beyond. In doing so, please always remember our fellow sisters and brothers, who are not computer, tablet, fast-phone and IT savvy. The poorer members in our community, who do not have access to internet services will suffer the greatest. Our older school “senior citizens” will unfortunately be left out. They toil hard to earn a decent dollar. To them, cash and their cheque book is their means of economic survival. Let us all have a generous and accommodating heart. Less haste and more caring nature in this field of economic progress please. Most back office employees still have work to do, manually. Do not deprive them of their “bread and butter” in progress’ name. After all, “Fiji time” still works… most days. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
SODELPA directive
It is quite mind-boggling to try and make sense of the basis of the directive issued by the management board of SODELPA to its former leader the honourable Viliame Gavoka to relinquish the Ministry of Education portfolio to its former minister, the honourable Aseri Radrodro. I could only make two guesses to give some sort of basis for the decision which are, firstly that SODELPA is making a determined move to break up the Coalition Government, and secondly, that there was total absence of reason, logic, sensitivity and basic understanding of the process of ministerial hire and fire during the meeting when the decision was made by the party. Just my two-cents worth. Emosi Balei Suva
Ban tobacco
Fergus Garrett revealing the facts of tobacco damaging millions of people in the world at the expense of their health should be urgently addressed. (FT 15/4) I feel the only solution to this problem is to “nip it in the bud” for good to save ourselves, our family, economy and our younger generations. It’s high time for action now. Ban smoking. It’s also a risk factor for NCDs. Health first as it’s your lifetime wealth. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Interesting read
I read with interest Nadi Town Council placing $3.5m on term deposit with a commercial bank. And this is considered a breach of the Local Government Act (1969), because the minister’s approval was not obtained. Fixed deposits are not “stock, bonds or debentures etc,” where there may be an element of risk. The 1969 LGC Act would appear to be out of date. Oliver Vinod Sydney, Australia
Peanut pay
Baffling how some companies’ vacancy requirement is a Bachelor’s Degree but pay an insignificant and trifle amount for the position. Sad eh! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
The age factor
I asked for a ticket at LTA Nadi office and the receptionist loudly asked: “I am sorry to ask, but are you over or under 70?” I muttered: “Well, I am well below 70 now but I will be by the time I finish here today. Why don’t you check my date of birth on my driver’s licence?” And why don’t you organise yourselves better when you open the door for the day so that those who arrived first and are seated at the tent outside are invited to go in first?” Samu Railoa Nadi
Israel, Iran, USA
It appears Israel and Iran played a fixed match and the USA is either war fatigued or the Biden Administration is trying to get re-elected. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Pie share
If someone wants a fair share of the pie, ensure you contribute your fair share of effort. Everything comes with a price. SANJEET PRASAD Mani Rd, Bulileka, Labasa
Local hero
I came across an uplifting tale online about a young woman named Rokoiga Soweri. Despite facing her own challenges, Rokoiga, a mother of seven, dedicates her Saturday mornings to teaching literacy to 30-40 children in her Nanuku settlement. Recognising the gaps in the education system for some of these children, Rokoiga saw an opportunity to make a difference in her community and took action. Rokoiga, you are truly a remarkable role model and an inspiration to us all. Koroi Seduadua Nasese
Cost of living
During my last visit to Fiji I saw the prices of certain food items increased. After my inquiry at the counter I was informed that the prices displayed on the shelves are correct according to current situations. I was also told that the Consumer Council of Fiji together with Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission are keeping an eye on price control. Can we honestly blame the shop owners and the Government for these price hikes? I believe a small country like ours depends on our trading partners as well as the main suppliers of petrol etc. The cost of petrol, kerosene and gas etc, have a direct reflection on our consumer goods plus transport. Now here in Australia we see prices of so many items going up gradually. A quick check with a friend in New Zealand confirms the same situation. One advantage here in Australia is that the country is developed and rich enough to adjust the wages, salaries and even the pensions at certain intervals. This is known as Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). Compared with these giants can little Fiji which is burdened with heavy debt come back to COLA system as we used have decades ago? I believe we can partly improve the situation in Fiji if only we have this team spirit. We cannot depend on Government only. We just have to get together right from the top to the grassroots level with focus on the agriculture sector.
The home produce food will surely have direct effect on our imports. A lot of back yard gardening should be encouraged as well. VIJAY MAHARAJ Sydney, Australia
Excise or exercise?
While attentively watching the Parliament channel on my day off on Monday (15/04), the Minister of Finance was positively sharing his strategy on reducing duty on imported chicken. Twice, the good Professor and economist mentioned the term “exercise duty” while expounding his theory to fellow parliamentarians on how this approach would benefit the ordinary Fijian. Much to the puzzlement of all who had tuned in to listen to the televised debates, Professor Prasad inadvertently (or otherwise) cited the word “exercise”, as the correct economic term he should have used was “Excise”, Confused by his statement, I assumed that all the foreign “murgis” would be undergoing some kind of an exercise regime or a brutal gym workout before being imported into the Fiji market for local consumption. From chops to chicken, I wonder if Prof Biman Prasad will focus on goats next. Nishant Singh Lautoka
