MGM Dragons shock rugby league giants
After turning heads during the Coca-Cola Games, the MGM Dragons wrote a new chapter in the Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby League finals, winning the U-17 final against the Ba Provincial Dragons. The side had won the Southern Zone title and beat big names like Nasinu Panthers and the QVS Knights. Against Ba Pro, MGM went in as underdogs, but wrested the prestigious title at Ratu Cakobau Park. MGM’s success is set to motivate schools, which are academic oriented, to balance sports and academic activities so that our students are developed holistically and not deprived from achieving excellence on the playing field. The management, staff and students of MGM High deserve accolades for setting the benchmark and for achieving success on the sports field. I pay special tribute to Mr Jitesh Patel, who is part of MGM High, and has played a vital role in the success of the school in sports. The final lap was exciting as RKS Eels beat Naitasiri Warriors and Ba Pro Dragons in the U-19 and U-15 grade. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Challenges
The Fiji Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh’s inspiring visit to New Zealand-Fijian seasonal workers (FT 6/5) is an indication of their job security with accommodation. Vinaka Mr Singh for your lifetime concerns for all the workers and job seekers local and abroad in this global job crisis. Fijians always take up the challenges to adjust themselves accordingly wherever they are. The Fijian workforce has proved to be economic progress for their families and Fiji and for the countries wherever they work. At times we have to come out of our comfort zone to experience life. Take up the challenges. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
A timely victory
In the DPL encounter between hosts Nadi and the visitors Tailevu Naitasiri last Sunday at Prince Charles Park, Nadi landed a handsome victory. The Jetsetters were able to score three unanswered goals which not only gives them the much needed three points but it also helps them to win back the confidence of their supporters at the same time. After going down to Ba, Rewa and Suva, consecutively, the Jetsetters had to win this fixture at all costs. Although the turnout was a poor show, they nonetheless managed to put up a brilliant performance. A good turning point for them as they look forward to taking part in the upcoming Fiji FACT. The side has a majority of debutants who no doubt are settling well — justifying their inclusion in the team. With more game time, I am sure these youngsters would be a force to be reckoned with in time to come. As far as player development is concerned, you are a good example. I take this opportunity to wish the green machine all the very best in your remaining commitments. Suresh Chand Nadi
Time to regroup
If Fiji’s economy needs to be built and shaped in a positive direction, it’s time for Fiji’s people and close associates to regroup for the betterment of Fiji’s future. Three political parties are holding the balance of power in Parliament as coalition partners. The mutual understanding in this sense matters, to move Fiji forward. Any wrongs within the coalition will have long term adverse effects on the lives of Fiji citizens. Fiji has seen enough from the past events and its history. Let’s all work together hand in hand in good spirit to move Fiji forward. Indar Deo Bisun Sakoca Heights, Tamavua.
Bright lights
As I was travelling from Sigatoka to Pacific Harbour with my mum on the main highway, a sudden shock of brightening white light flashed through my eyes. For a second, I thought to myself “am I dead or is it the end of the world?” Then after about a moment of sudden ”delusion”, I came back to my senses and started wondering what in the world was that. What could it possibly be? Hey wait a minute, isn’t it one of those ”fashion” cars with a highly reacted radiator that can produce a very high beam of white radiance? Imagine these cars going on the highway without turning their beam low on incoming cars, an accident can just happen right before your eyes ladies and gentlemen. This is not safe for our roads and every driver has their own safety but in my opinion, since it’s too late to stop the importing of “almost nuclear-powered luster”, I suggest the LTA look into this issue as soon as possible. The roads are not safe, lives are at stake. Now is the time we must learn from our mistakes. KELEPI DAKUIYACO Waikalou, Serua
Mangroves
LAST evening I came to Suva from my village Korotogo. The name of my village, if translated smartly into English, will be called Mangrove Village. In 1980, while serving as the Director of Town and Country Planning (Feb.1975- Oct.1987) and a member of the Council of the National Trust of Fiji (Aug. 1973-1991), I felt the desire and an urgent need for the protection and management of our Environment in Fiji. With the concurrence of the relevant government ministries, departments and related agencies, the Government Environmental Management Committee (EMC) was established. I became the chairman of EMC. I set up a special EMC unit within the Directorate of Town and Country Planning and appointed Epeli Nasome, one of the staff within the directorate, to lead the unit. Well, history revealed itself. Environmental matters became very important. While serving as a cabinet minister in the SDL coalition government from 12/9/2001 to 18/5/2006, I was one of the co-sponsors of the Environment Management Bill which became Act No. 1 of 2005. The Department of Environment was established and Mr Nasome became the first director of Environment. During my tenure as the director of Town and Country Planning, the director of Lands then and I felt the dire need of conserving and managing wisely the mangroves of the Fiji Islands. We formed the Mangrove Management Committee. Hence, the passion in conserving and managing our Fiji mangroves to date. Well, as that saying goes: “Give credit where credit is due”. Padma, my eyes were swollen with tears when I saw your photo on Page 3 of (FT 9/5). I must reveal publicly today the amount of wise advice and practical professional guidance you have offered to me during my term as director of Town and Country Planning, and chairperson of the Environment Management Committee and the Mangrove Committee. PITA K NACUVA GRIFFITH PLACE, NAMADI HEIGHTS, TAMAVUA
Road to recovery
I hate to mention this, but I believe the national debt we have now is not only incurred by the FijiFirst Government but by us the citizens of this country. Sometimes we do not realise how to live within our means and to accept and be happy with the little we have, hence we always lament government to do things for us in terms of more developments such as roads, electricity, increase wages, better infrastructure and so forth. If the government is not able to meet our demand we begin our threat that we will not vote for them come the next election. I read in The Fiji Times 09/05/23 that the Fiji Nursing Association (FNA) is calling on the Government to increase wages to stop the exodus of nurses from the country. I believe, soon the Teachers Association will follow suit and maybe other civil service departments. We must understand that our country is still trying to recover from the economic turmoil we have encountered in the last 16 years and if we keep on pushing our own agenda without being concerned about our status quo as a nation, then I believe our road to recovery will never eventuate. I beg our nurses and every Fijian to please let us see the bigger picture, so we can be concerned for the common good and not only for ourselves and what is good for us individually. Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane Vuninokonoko Rd, Navua
Response to PM Rabuka
I write to respond to a claim by Prime Minister Rabuka that certain importers made a “lot of money” from my government’s removal of VAT from basic food items (FT 05/05). He also claimed during a media interview in Labasa last week that government revenue declined as a result of zero — rating VAT on these items. As Mr Rabuka says his government imposed a 10% VAT on all goods and services effective July 1992. The move was strongly opposed by trade unions and other organisations that work with the poor and needy in society. In January 1998, Mr Rabuka’s SVT government devalued the Fiji dollar by a hefty 20 per cent pushing up the cost of living substantially. Food prices soared, triggering huge public outcry. Labour went to the polls in 1999 with the promise to remove VAT from basic food products to provide some relief to the poor. We kept this promise and scrapped VAT from five basic items — flour, rice, canned fish, powdered milk and cooking oil. Additionally, items such as tea, baby foods, medicines and 17 essential household products were placed under price control. The Prices and Incomes Board was under strict instructions to ensure that the benefits of the concessions were fully passed on to consumers. I am, therefore, surprised that Mr Rabuka should claim that importers “made a lot of money”. A fact to be noted is that inflation under Labour had fallen to 0.2 per cent in 1999 from a high of 8.1 per cent under SVT in 1998. Secondly, he says government revenue declined because of zero rating VAT on these essentials. On the contrary, revenue under Labour was the highest ever at $1.20b in 1999 compared to $ 1.01b under SVT the year before. Of this, Inland Revenue raked in $541m in 1999 compared to $496m in 1998. Prudent financial management and close supervision of expenditure was the key here. Our critics should know that even affluent countries like Australia, the UK and most States in the US do not tax food. Labour strongly believes that the poor and the underprivileged should not be made to pay the price for government’s incompetence and extravagance. For us, the debate on VAT is a matter both of ideology and policy. Labour remains opposed to any form of tax on basic essentials. Mahendra P. Chaudhry Leader Fiji Labour Party
Girmit plans
It is very good that The Fiji Times raised the question on “whether the celebration would stay true to the girmitiya experience ” (FT 8/5). And, it’s good to know from the chair of the Girmit celebration, the Assistant Minister in the Coalition Government, Sashi Kiran that the celebration would be as authentic as possible. Anything less and not commensurate with the experience of the girmitiya would be dishonouring their memory and their trials and tribulations during their slave days of Indenture. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Stay within your powers
Let there be no qualms about the interim appointees to the Fiji Rugby Football Union Trust Board to get Rugby House in order. All considered, we wouldn’t have come to this if everyone just acted within their powers. So please, as you plot the way out, point out the shortcomings and teach the incoming board about governance and legal compliance. Samu Railoa Nadi
Save the kavu
I am saddened by the report (FT 27/3 of the capture of a 100kg kavu (Goliath grouper) by a fisherman in Pacific Harbour. These gentle giants are decades old and inhabit the far reaches of the Navua River and other coastal rivers. They are estuarine creatures, the apex predator in these ecosystems. To catch these majestic fish for monetary gain is a tragedy considering their long lifespan and ecological balance they provide to the river systems. I believe these fish should be protected, making it illegal to catch and sell. Lunik Liu Sydney, Australia
Road studs
Saw a Fiji Roads Authority social media post regarding stolen reflective road studs. Kemudou! What else is next? If I’m correct, these reflective road studs are being converted to fishing lures. Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Name them
I am glad that the Consumer Council of Fiji has caught several supermarkets who have been misleading and cheating. I urge the CEO Seema Shandil to name the supermarkets so that the public are aware of these supermarkets and can avoid them. They are cheating the public. In fact they are robbing ordinary people. Likewise the Consumer Council should inspect the shops in the rural areas. Paras Naidu Lautoka