Letters to the Editor: letters@fijitimes.com.fj
Power of the Stallions
WHAT a pity our national 15s team does not include a number of the Nadroga Stallions side.
I wish people would stop making excuses about how our team performed against France.
Our players were supposed to be up to par considering most of them ply their trade in European countries, especially in France. The notion by the national coach that local players are not up to international standards leaves much to be desired.
The Nadroga side would have certainly put up a better show.
Incidently has anyone heard of our national coach looking after a national team or Super 15 side prior to him coming to Fiji.
CHARLES CHAMBERS, Lautoka
Unfair rule
RAJ Kumar makes a valid point that those earning less than $16,000 per annum do not pay tax but are charged 20 per cent on bank interest earned even though the person’s total income is less than $16,000 (FT 13/11).
Come to think of it, on one hand the Government has done us a big favour by increasing the tax free threshold to $16,000, but on the other penalised the same people for being smart in earning extra income through bank interest rates.
From memory, I know that all Fijians earning less than $16,000 but are taxed one way or the other should lodge their tax return and get a refund of all the tax deducted.
I believe that the 20 percent tax on bank interest falls in the same category.
SAVENACA VAKALIWALIWA, Nasinu
Grant for 1st home builder
I AM requesting the Ministry of Housing that the $10,000 house grant to first-time home builders be also granted to people who started building their houses prior to June 16, 2014, on proper sub-divided leased land (e.g. Housing Authority land) through their own resources and have not completed them.
This will greatly help people in the lower income group who had started building prior to 16/6/14 on proper sub-divided leased land through their own resources.
$10million was provided for house grant in the 2012 Budget but not granted to people as the money was diverted for some other purpose I understand.
It was again announced in the 2014 Budget but the scheme started operating from June 16, 2014. Hence, many people are missing out on the house grant, particularly poor people who have started building their houses on proper leased land prior to June 16, 2014 and have not completed them.
According to the advertisement in the newspaper, 147 applications for house grants have been approved as at October 2014.
Assuming each applicant has been granted $10,000, the total grant granted so far is $1.47million out of the $10million provided. Most likely there will be huge savings by the end of the year.
Consideration of this by the Minister of Housing to assist poor first time home builders who started building their own houses through their own resources prior to 16/6/14 on proper leased land and have not completed them will be appreciated.
RAJ KUMAR, Suva
Indian PM’s visit
I AM delighted to learn that Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, will visit our shores after attending the G20 Summit in Brisbane, Australia.
India is the largest democracy on the face of this earth.
With its 1.2 billion population and its booming economic activities and the development of nuclear technology, it is poised to be the Asiatic superpower of the 21st century.
I have just completed reading a book titled The Man of the Moment: Narendra Modi, jointly written by M.V Kamath and Kalindi Randeri.
This book does provide the reader with a bird’s-eye-view in the life and works of Narendra Modi.
Born in a low class Gujarati family trapped in poverty Narendra Modi had to join the family struggle by helping his father selling tea to commuters at the railway station. Joined RSS (Rastriya Sewa sangh) at an early age thus developing his leadership qualities.
Narendra Modi is known as the strongman of Gujrat who is not afraid to stand alone.
He ruled Gujrat as its Chief Minister for ten years and transformed it into a modern miracle.
A State of some 60 million people with 18,065 villages is an envy of other states of India.
Simply because of Narendra Modi’s ability to deliver his election promises to the people by providing piped water, electricity, roads, health centres and green revolution to the farmers.
Narendra Modi is a tough administrator, shrewd politician, fearless and forthright in his dealings.
His detractors see him as an autocratic dictator but those who adore him worship him as a messiah.
Narendra Modi holds a Masters Degree in Political Science. He is an excellent orator and a master of rhetoric.
He speaks fluently and has great mastery of words in Hindi, English, Gujrati and Marathi.
He is a writer, editor, complier, translator, shortstory writer and a poet. He has a great sense of humour as well.
Narendra Modi was the game changer for the BJP Party in the past national elections.
He is a great strategist and an efficient organiser. As a result BJP (Bharatiya Janta Party) had a thumping majority and Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India.
At the Indian Independence Day celebrations he spoke for an hour without reference to a piece of paper.
Such is the commitment and perseverance of Narendra Modi.
I wish him a very pleasant trip to Fiji.
May he enjoy the true Fijian hospitality.
DEWAN CHAND, Suva
Make things easy
AN attempt to make life a little more pleasant and a little irksome for people is the aim which new ministers have adopted in view of the fact that they rule for four years more.
The Infrastructure Minister, the Health Minister, the Social Welfare Minister, are all continuing this “make things easier” movement. The rest may join later.
The ordinary citizens of this country are benefitting or are going to benefit.
Meanwhile water disruption in Delainavesi seems to have reappeared.
AMENATAVE YACONISAU, Lami
Our history
OUR national flag and anthem are part of our history and we can easily identify them once we see or hear them no matter which part of the world we lived in.
We can even describe what’s all in the flag and the lyrics of our national anthem without viewing any of them.
But I always wonder how many of us do really know the makers of our national identity by heart and how many have passed on this piece of information to our younger generation?
I hope next time we see the national flag flying we will remember Robi Wilcock and Murray MacKenzie, the joint winner of the flag design prior to independence
And whenever you hear the national anthem, don’t forget the name Micchael Francis Allexander Prescott who composed the lyrics and music and adapted the melody from the 1911 hymn Dwelling In Beulah Land by Charles Austin Miles.
Isn’t it interesting?
PITA SOROAQALI, Suva
Prostate cancer
WARNING! Warning! Prostrate cancer is on the rise. Men, if you are over 45, please do go for a check-up. It is better to detect it early rather than at a later stage when all would be too late. Please go. It might save your life. I am going now for a check-up because I do not want to be part of the data. Please go too!
JOELI NALECA, Suva
Rewa Dairy
I READ the Auditor-General wants an investigation of an accounting firm that was paid $0.5million to restructure Rewa Dairy Company. What I am interested in is whether the restructure was for the management or the engineering and milk buying or both. The other question is how big is this Rewa Dairy Company that it required a half million in restructure fees only.
SUKHA SINGH, Labasa
Accountability
I WRITE in response to Jalesi Nakarawa and Percy Raibe’s letters (FT 14/11) in which they both failed to appreciate the exposing of the Bainimarama Government’s spending from 2006 up to the election in Parliament for public scrutiny. The decision by Government to take it to Parliament is called accountability in itself irrespective of your view point
TUKAI LAGONILAKEBA, Nadi
Overloaded bus
DO the police or LTA ever check the loading of school buses? I recently saw one in which the sardines – sorry, students – were packed in so tightly that some had to sit in the windows!
JOELI TAWAKE, Lami
E-ticketing
MR Gagalia (FT 12/11), haven’t you yet realised that the whole e-ticketing caper was just a huge practical joke (albeit an expensive one) and that those who played it have since lost interest?
PETER RODDA, Lami
Game plan
ALL the best to the Flying Fijians in their game against the Welsh this weekend. I hope they used a big enough drawing board to draft up their game plan. Go Fiji, go!
WISE MUAVONO, Lautoka
Corruption
SEVEN years on and now licking wounds. It is a bit hard to digest. What is to come, we fear. God bless our Fiji.
NIRBHAY SINGH, Labasa
Epidemic
TREES are being cut down in Lautoka and soon we will have none left in the city. I just pray that those in power will have some compassion for these living things. Trees do so much for us, I hope everyone understands that. One thing good about Vatukoula it’s illegal to cut down trees.
ALLEN LOCKINGTON, Nadi
Why the fuss
SO what’s the big deal with the Auditor-General’s report?
I feel we should just applaud the Public Accounts Committee for highlighting a few weakness by the previous government. And an un-elected one that is.
Now that we have an elected and democratic government, I’m sure they have learned from their mistakes and will work on them. And I assume that they will keep their before the election promises.
I suggest that every citizen carry on with their daily lives and don’t let criticism or comments from keen observers offshore to doubt their mind on our government of the day.
PAT VULI, Suva
Public Accounts Committee
THE Public Accounts Committee was to have its first sitting on Tuesday but was unable to do so. The Secretary General to Parliament stated that procedural issues needed to be solved by the Speaker of the House.
On the other hand, the Opposition leader made a statement that Tuesday’s meeting was deferred because government members have an issue with PAC chairman Professor Biman Prasad.
There is no fixed time to say when the PAC committee will be able to sit in Parliament to convene its meeting.
Whatever the procedural issues are will be sorted out by the Speaker of the House upon her return from her meeting abroad.
Secretary General to Parliament has made her statement. The Opposition leader is making her statement. Who is telling what is now confusing the general public.
Many of us Fiji citizens from abroad plus the public in Fiji are not interested in what are the true procedural issues. The least people are worried is to see what the PAC is going to do with so many irregularities, mismanagement, overspending, fraud, unauthorised payments and even theft in some of the ministries by their own staff as mentioned and recommended by the Auditor-General in his report period 2007-2013. Professor Biman Prasad, you have been appointed as chairperson of the committee.
You promised in your earlier statement that the committee will summon all those involved to explain and, if the need arises, the matter will be handed over to the appropriate authority to deal with the case.
Well it’s time now. We general public are keeping our eyes and ears open. Only time will tell who is evading who. God save Fiji.
Pray that the Auditor-General’s report and recommendations do not end up like the National Bank of Fiji saga.
INDAR JIT, Sydney, Australia
Follow the rules
WHAT hope do we have when the Finance Ministry can’t manage money?
In 2013, the Ministry of Finance overspent its allocation for Pensions, Gratuities and Compassionate allowance by $2.4million. Auditor-General Tevita Bolavanua called this “poor financial management” and said “it affects government’s liquidity position, which if not controlled could lead to cash flow problems”.
The Finance Ministry makes the rules for managing money so it should be able to make sure it can follow its own rules.
JONE TUISAWAU, Ba
Fair go
THE previous government had its hands tied and Fijians were reluctant to join them because of sanctions imposed on us by different countries.
However, now with the elections over and with the new government there is nothing to worry about now.
During the elections there were allegations made that a lot of appointments made by the previous government were on racial line and without other Fijians being given the chance to do so.
Now is the time to re-look at all those positions and all those posts to be advertised so that we all get a fair go.
NARDEO MISHRA, Suva
Closure of party offices
I REFER to Allen Lockington’s letter (FT 20/10) in which he had stated that all offices of political parties have closed and they don’t need us anymore.
I would also like to share my experience which I faced during the 1972 General Election.
At that time, the Alliance Party had connected water meters in the Kalabu squatter settlement before the election and guess what! The water meters were disconnected the next day after the election. Poor people were the mockery of this joke.
In regards to the closure of political offices, we should not worry at all as they will open the office again after four years as that is when they’ll need our vote in the next election.
That’s what politics is all about. Once again the poor and ordinary people will be manipulated for voting.
And the trend will continue during each election.
INDAR SINGH MATHURA, Nasinu
Vernacular’s slow death
LAST week, I got an assignment regarding the status of our mother tongue in Fiji so I thought of contributing to this column.
Our mother tongue is dying a slow death everyday as we, the speakers of this small yet distinctive language, get more engrossed with learning English.
Many times Fiji-Hindi speakers tend to speak in English at social occasions or prefer speaking in standard Hindi.
I believe we should put more focus on speaking Fiji-Hindi as it is something that gives us our identity as Fiji Indians. I have heard many Indian nationals say that Fiji Hindi is a beautiful language to speak and yet we are too shy or rather ashamed to even deliver a public speech in our language.
Going by the trends of this fast-paced modern era, it won’t be long when we will completely push Fiji-Hindi to its death.
I urge all parents to encourage their children to speak Fiji-Hindi most of the time as it is crucial to keep it alive.
Certain aspects that can prevent our language from dying out is a change in perception and emphasis should be placed on our mother tongue, Fiji-Hindi.
AVITESH KUMAR, Ba
English inadequacy
PEOPLE in Fiji no longer regard English as their second language, Minakshi (FT 13/11).
Because we study English in our school system along with other vernacular languages right from kindergarten, I believe some of us would regard English as our mother tongue too.
In fact some of us have a very high level of proficiency in English language, than those whose mother tongue is English, and this is evident from various letter writers and our local journalists who daily express their views in the local media such as The Fiji Times.
Teachers in Fiji’s school system are not just teaching linguistic skills in their English class but they are also immersing their students in the whole world of English literature encouraging children to read, write and express themselves in English to gain proficiency and function effectively in day to day life.
Again we need to ask ourselves our underlying motive when it comes to learning a new language.
We have both bilinguals and multilinguals in our society and our end goal at all times should be effective communication. The acquisition of a new language should allow us to meet all our needs and wants.
The acquisition of a new language should also enable us to interact and reach out to one another effectively.
I don’t see anything wrong with our educational curriculum in Fiji when it comes to learning a new language.
The curriculum addresses all our needs to better our linguistic and literary skills.
The school administrators need to ensure they have better equipped and well-resourced libraries in their schools to eradicate ignorance so that our children are able to explore, investigate and gather knowledge on their own that would help them function better in the long term and confront their own environment.
We don’t really need English language proficiency tests for our teachers.
The Ministry of Education in Fiji organises various workshops for all subject teachers throughout the year to expose teachers to new forms of knowledge in order to enhance their teaching skills. We shouldn’t look down on our English teachers.
As long as they are graduates and well trained teachers they should be able to teach not just English but a wide variety of other subjects.
TRACY WHITE, Melbourne, Australia
Education plan and teachers
MAY I take this opportunity to congratulate Dr Mahendra Reddy on his appointment as Minister for Education, National Heritage and Culture.
May I at the same time respond to issues raised by him during the FBC Sunday program, “For the Record”. I am sure that the good minister has noble intentions in the plans that he is coming up with but, firstly, I’d like to humbly appeal to the good minister to ensure that there is greater, systematic consultations with all stakeholders, especially the teachers.
My second point is this. He was reported to have said the introduction of an external examination in Year 6 was to ensure that every teacher covered 100 per cent of the syllabus and that “…the student is tested with stock of knowledge that he or she should have acquired and we will know how the teacher has performed”.
I believe that the focus of any educational measurement such as an examination, should be the student.
That is, the result will show whether the student has achieved the learning outcomes or not as this will inform the teacher what further work needs to be done on that student or group of students. Let us not forget that quite often too the examination itself can be a faulty or unreliable measurement of a student’s true ability.
The most significant fact and perhaps unfortunate, for many of Fiji’s teachers, is that different students have different learning strategies. Even studies have shown that different societies and cultures learn differently.
The sad point to be made here is that we have not been able to fully facilitate this.
Given that we have one national curriculum and the big classes we have in Fiji – especially in the urban centres, it is difficult for the teacher to do individual teaching to suit each student’s learning needs.
The socio-economic background of the learners also affect the way the students perform at school.
From these factors, it should be appreciated that no matter how hard a teacher works, and given the location of the school and the socio-economic status of the parents, there will be no guarantee that all students in Fiji will respond the same way when a national examination comes around.
The teacher may cover the syllabus all right; but that does not mean that all the students have “mentally” covered it.
That is, because of the above factors, the learning outcomes just cannot be equally achieved by all students.
So, please do spare a kind thought for the teachers. External exam results should not always be held against teachers.
SUSANA TUISAWAU, Suva
School fundraising
YOUR correspondent Shakeel Dutt, of Nasinu, makes a number of valid points with respect to my article on the Ministry of Education ban on fundraising by schools (FT 12/11).
I accept his points that an $80 levy by schools may not be affordable by some families who are way below the poverty line; that some students may not attend fundraising events because they cannot raise the required amounts and that schools must not humiliate such children whose parents are unable to afford the “levy”.
I acknowledge that the word “levy” implies a compulsory payment by all parents.
Unfortunately, and all school managements will confirm this, there are many parents (rich and poor alike ) who will spend hundreds of dollars on kava or cigarettes or alcohol and yet choose not to make a contribution of $80 if it is “voluntary”. They don’t mind being selfish “free riders” on other parents who are willing to make financial sacrifices for the education of their children.
The Bainimarama Government, in its next budget, will no doubt clarify how they intend to identify parents whose combined incomes are below $20,000 or $30,000 a year for their eligibility for the free water, electricity and medicines promised in the FijiFirst party manifesto.
Similarly, I suggest that school managements in consensus with the Parents Teachers’ Association, can determine at what combined income level for parents will exempt their children from any levy set by the school. The burden will, of course, be shared by the other parents.
I reiterate that the Ministry of Education should leave all such decisions to the school managements and the parents, and not require “permission” from the “Government”, who already interferes enough in the daily lives of our people in many areas.
PROFESSOR WADAN NARSEY, Suva
Unaccounted funds
I REFER to a letter dated (FT 31/10), by Kelvin Anthony, titled “Unaccounted for years”.
I certainly support Mr Anthony’s statement, which is really sad but at the same time comes as a disappointment for many young people despite the vast contrast of localities they live around Fiji.
I acknowledge Mr Anthony for voicing out this issue about a ministry, which has the utmost responsibility for young people’s development, whether it is young people’s capacity building or sporting development, in urban and rural areas of Fiji.
Let me speak as well for many young people out there, especially those who have dreams for a better sporting field or a sporting facility, whether it is a proper designed, and well-engineered court for young people to enjoy whatever sport it is.
Young people look to the Ministry of Youth and Sports with high hopes and even more to any minister that takes up the portfolio. In particular, I speak for many young people in the utmost rural areas of our country, those in the highlands, out in the maritime islands, for I know there is great talent out there.
$85,000 is a lot of money that has been audited, that was not used by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
This call for an inquiry is because young people out there would like to know why a large sum of public funds, generated by all hardworking people of this country, was not given utmost reconsideration for such projects.
Only one can imagine such impact it can bring about to all young people, – positive impacts to personal development and the community as a whole.
Let me question: Is such projects in rural areas of our country not as important as those sporting infrastructures that is undertaken in urban areas of our country?
To the FijiFirst ministers and members of our people’s Parliament, please put young people’s issues and concerns first in your Cabinet meetings, rural or urban. We all have the same dreams.
Young people still have hope for something better in the near future.
Put some smiles on our young Fijians faces please, that’s all we ask for.
JOHN PECKHAM, Suva
Way to go, ATS
MY hearty congratulations to Air Terminal Services CEO, Hare Mani, and his hardworking staff.
A great achievement from, I believe, the only staff company in Fiji to win the President’s Award at the Fiji Business Excellence Awards.
It seemed only like yesterday when ATS was a subsidiary of CAAF when we had oversight of its operations. It is important that ATS gain this recognition due to its place in international aviation.
Similarly some year back as CEO of CAAF we had commenced action to win the ISO 9001:2001 international standard for quality certification.
This work took several years to achieve as all our processes had to be documented, but it was worth it as it set us on a path that is internationally recognised.
ATS, way to go!
NORMAN YEE, Nadi
Lost mangroves
PASSING across the Vatuwaqa bridge I noticed that mangroves have been cut purposefully for firewood while downstream there goes the reclamation of land.
I was wondering if given the choice, which of the two would people prefer?
The damage they did to the environment is the same and their impact on the marine life and to those who depended on them is not that good either.
So much talk on conservation of our environment and climate change with little or no action taken at all.
Our environment our responsibility.
PITA SOROAQALI, Suva
Our future at stake
WHAT I am suggesting is of much greater importance than democracy, as we have gained from the very recent election.
In fact it’s so important that our very survival hinges on immediate action.
Fiji’s fisheries as you read this article is catastrophically collapsing. Scientists see it, fisher people see it, as most major fish stocks worldwide are either close to extinction, or nearly so, including the tuna fisheries in the South West Pacific where Fiji lies.
The time spent now to catch fish for our own consumption is increasing at frightening speed. Quite often the day’s catch is zero. I see it with my own eyes here on the island of Qamea near Taveuni, even where the population density is quite low compared to the built up areas of the big islands.
The reefs here are suffering from ignorant and in some cases greed and exploitation, like sea cucumbers, giant clams etc.
It doesn’t matter whether they are licensed fishermen or not, the damage is the same in the end as there is no Government control, just a lot of bureaucratic hot air.
The reefs throughout the Fiji Islands group are sick. These reefs are responsible for at least 60 per cent of all marine life in the wider ocean, as breeding grounds, directly or indirectly sustaining the whole gambit of sea life.
Most people are ignorant of the importance of mother nature’s reefs and I will list below some of the many links in the reefs biodiverse health chain, that sustain a healthy reef system. Each link cannot survive without all the other links being healthy.
All the links require each other to sustain life e.g. mangroves, sea grasses, sharks, healthy land from appropriate farming practices, healthy forest logged sustainably, sea cucumbers (beche-de-mer or trepan), giant clams, certain species of fish like parrot fish, surgeon fish in fact all life on and around the reefs are part of the giant jigsaw puzzle. Remove one piece and disaster is eminent.
Some other factors that are also detrimental to the reef health are coral bleaching, caused by rising sea temperatures, rising sea levels, helped along by increased trade wind velocity, rising trade wind velocity, especially in the Western Pacific is in excess of all areas on planet Earth, unsustainable tourism which applies to most tourism areas in Fiji and increased ocean acidity.
All of the above means very soon nearly all food security sourced from the ocean will be gone forever. Also it means all Fiji’s sandy beaches will disappear, as it ground up coral that sand is made from. Remove beaches and land and tourism washes away.
Once mother nature’s biodiversity is tipped over the extinction edge, it will start a chain reaction that is unstoppable.
Rich or poor, young or old, all will go down on our self-made Titanic, possibly during the current generation.
The first thing we urgently must do is immediately stop all exports of marine life from Fiji’s ocean (and rivers).
The lame excuse that it will impact income is nonsense. A short-sighted nonsense.
A nonsense of short term greed, a nonsense of stupidity. Food security takes all precedent. Income derived from marine products in Fiji is but a small percentage of income earned from tourism which equates to no coral, no tourism.
The second thing urgently needing attention is the production of protein to replace seafood protein. This well help take the load off our fisheries letting them return to good sustainable health.
Such proteins can be gleaned from growing lentils, beans, eggs, nuts, poultry (free ranging only) not red meat as it’s unsustainable, fish farming in general is not good for the environment, are but some examples.
Short term profit from raping our reefs and oceans means long term food insecurity.
Fiji, it’s time to be a Pacific and world leader. Lead by example.
Prime Minister, you have just recently jumped a high hurdle and brought genuine democracy to these shores.
Kerekere, I am asking you to jump much higher now. It should be in my view a bipartisan ( all parties decision) not a political one. It’s too important.
“In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught” Baba Dioum.
PETER RAE, Qamea, Taveuni
Climate change
HOW long has the research on climate change been going on? And what have we come up with so far after so much money on checking out the signs and effects of the changes.
Promises are being made by state heads from all over the globe but the suffering goes on due to cases such as global warming. All the research done with a materialistic perspective and what about the humanistic aspect on the planet.
Pacific Island communities continue to suffer and the leaders keep on holding summits and meetings to “solve the crisis”.
While some of us suffer the consequences of the acts of the bigger nations, the leaders of these nations are busy putting up large grins and posing for photos in their expensive suits like there’s nothing wrong in the world. Now that I think about it, it may be a difficult task doing all that.
A recent segment in Al Jazeera reported that scientists have concluded their findings on global warming by highlighting that humans are indeed the cause of such climatic changes. Well anyone could have come up with that conclusion.
Are we going to keep on talking about who, how and where after it has happened or when it’s still happening or are we going to ask questions that really matter?
How about bringing all these state heads to live in these Pacific nations that are suffering.
Maybe a couple of weeks living in the conditions here might finally “inspire” them to make some changes and maybe start treating the planet and its environment with respect.
The genuine feel and severity of the threats can only be felt when one goes through the situation first-hand rather then reading and viewing the findings from inside their comfort zones.
We have achieved so much because of our capabilities as humans, but the consequences of pushing them to a brink of desperation can bring out the worst too. A famous line from a movie reads: “It’s only on the brink that people find the will to change. Only at the precipice do we evolve.”
So are we going to act now or are we willing to take the risk of running down time until it’s “convenient” for us to take action?
SATSHEEL SINGH, Nadi
Green life
I’M writing to express my views on how Government and civil society should join their efforts in order to grapple with environmental problems.
Pollution and global warming are such enormous issues that they could not be tackled solely by Government.
The public must be the second front in the fight against climate change and environment contamination.
We already have such public watchdogs as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, which operate on an international scale. What I am concerned with is that there is a lack of public groups at a local level. Consumers are crying out for leadership.
Local environmental organisations are especially needed to raise the public’s awareness of environmentally friendly choices available. These do not only include getting your domestic waste recycled, but also supporting “green” companies.
For example, not every domestic household in my area is aware of the choice to buy “green energy” from an electricity firm. Informing consumers of these options could be one of the objectives of local groups.
Moreover, individuals should be encouraged to save electricity by buying energy-efficient electric bulbs and electric appliances.
Apparently, these choices come at a considerable cost to consumers and that is where they need encouragement from the Government and public groups. Additionally, the Government may need to subsidise “green’ goods and ensure that they are available in every area in place of energy-intensive products.
These actions can only be carried out effectively if public groups work in tandem with the Government and local authorities. After all, the Government does not only have funds, but also legal means to implement these policies.
It also has the power to crackdown on unscrupulous businesses with the help of individuals who can alert authorities.
To sum up, there is a clear need for individuals to enhance their effort by forming local environmental groups. That could help us reach a much-needed solution, providing that the Government pulls its weight too. Ultimately, it is individuals who will benefit from a better environment and it is only fair that they should play a greater role in our struggle for it.
SANJEEV VERMA, Lautoka
Park changes
ENOUGH is enough!
Lautoka residents have already lost access and use of a large portion of Churchill Park to a commercial development. No publicity was given to this proposal until the groundbreaking ceremony caught us unaware.
Then we found out that one third of Shirley Park has been given over for a hotel development. Again Lautoka residents were not informed about any proposed development plans for this area.
A tiny ad in only one newspaper does not qualify as informing all Lautoka residents with details of proposed developments.
Now the ministry says there is another proposed development that will “solve the problem”. This is a waterfront foreshore development plan that involves filling in the sea area of the Water Front Park, basically losing another Lautoka park with its lovely kilometre-long walk along the seawall.
Has an EIA study been done on this proposal? If so, again we haven’t heard anything about it?
Basically there has been no transparency regarding any of these proposals that affect our beautiful and well used parks.
This reflects a pattern of ignoring Lautoka residents in any plan by not making full information about the different proposals easily available and scheduling public meetings to discuss them.
A council is supposed to act in the interest of its residents and not run roughshod over them. We love our parks and use them.
These actions in the name of the council show that it is past time to hold municipal elections so that we have an elected council that is more in touch with the wishes of residents.
JOHN PIRIE, Lautoka
Tribute to a hero
Gwyn Watkins passed away on the morning of Thursday November 6, 2014, with his family by his side.
He was 91. Mr Watkins is survived by his three children – Keith Watkins of Suva, Gaynor Hicks of Sydney and David Watkins of Seattle, US – and his grand children and great grandchildren.
Mr Watkins, during his final years, was under the loving care of his daughter Gaynor and ever caring son-in-law Ray Hicks of Manly in Sydney, Australia.
Mr Watkins was born in Wales and educated at Oxford University and qualified in forest management and conservation. He and his wife moved from England to East Africa in 1947 where Keith and Gaynor were born.
In 1959 Mr Watkins was employed by the Fiji colonial government and later went on to become Fiji’s Conservator of Forests until Fiji’s independence in 1970.
In this position, he was engaged to expand Fiji’s then existing forestry resources and identify future income source opportunities. This he achieved admirably and which ultimately resulted in the development of Fiji’s specialist hardwood plantations.
Subsequently, Mr Watkins was instrumental in the planning and implementation of planting Fiji’s hardwood and softwood plantations, including mahogany and pine. During this time he worked closely with all levels of Government and provincial landowners in explaining and detailing the future economic and land management benefits such forestation of their mataqali lands would provide.
Mr Watkins’s many achievements include being able to convince politicians and tribal leaders of the importance and need to carefully manage and enhance Fiji’s forest resources.
While visiting landowners he gained strong personal friendships with all of those with which he came in contact.
Mr Watkins was known to put emotions to one side and persuade others of the specifics of a matter based upon scientific fact and precise research.
Mr Watkins worked closely with Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and many other chiefs and mataqali in the development of the pine and mahogany schemes. He was a close confidant and adviser of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara who held him in high regard for his being honourable and forthright.
Ivy Watkins, Gwyn’s wife, who passed away in Sydney in 1993, is well remembered as Fiji’s iguana lady. She and Gwyn were the first to breed iguanas in captivity in Fiji which assisted with the conservation of the reptile. Together they were instigators and principals, with others, of Suva’s Orchid Island, at Lami.
Orchid Island incorporated, Fiji’s first cultural centre and Fiji’s first real zoo. Orchid Island was for many years Fiji’s only cultural centre and gained worldwide recognition for its excellence. The orchids and gardens were much admired by all who visited.
Upon retirement in Fiji, Mr Watkins was for many years a trustee of the Fiji-based charitable organisation The J P Bayly Trust.
Here his extensive knowledge of utilising existing forest products to manufacture saleable curios and his overall business acumen time and again proved valuable in the proper administration of the trust and to the benefit of those who sort help from the charity.
Mr Watkins moved to Manly, Sydney in 1989.
Mr Watkins loved Fiji, its peoples, culture and heritage.
TONY SNOWSILL, NSW, Australia
Clumsy pedestrians
THE way pedestrians cross the road in the recent days is really irritating.
It’s as though they own the road. They take all the time in the world to get to the other side of the street and it seems like pedestrians have a preconception that cars can magically stop, all they have to do is just cross.
Many times while driving, I have come across pedestrians who just pop out of the middle of nowhere and to which I have to suddenly hit the brakes and pray the vehicle behind me doesn’t bump into mine
Not to be obnoxious but this is common especially among female pedestrians who seem to not be able to power themselves while crossing.
The only suggestion I can give is to put rails along the curb and an opening only near zebra crossings at least in this way both the driver and pedestrian will be safe
Also on the same note, the crossing lights in Lautoka and Nadi aren’t for decoration. Can the authorities get these running again.
On the same note the attire of people at night is another issue, considering that most of us are dark skinned. I strongly believe we should wear brighter clothes at night so at least our body and the darkness can be distinguished. This is something which I remember learning when I was in Class 2.
I really hope something will be done in regards to this.
AVNEEL ABHISHAY, Nadi
Discomfort in buses
I’D like to make use of the column and express my views and concerns regarding some people who misuse their dormancy particularly males.
The other day I saw one of the passengers waiting for the person on the seat to shift so that she could sit. That woman had to stand there for at least 30 seconds waiting for the person to shift.
Then after he shifted but took almost three quarters of the seat not considering the little space that woman had. Also on the same note, I would like to convey my issue on size of the seats particularly of Tebara Buses which are particularly smaller in size.
Often it has been witnessed that passengers find it difficult to get off the seat and sometimes wait for others to step aside in order to get off.
Either the seats are to be built to an appropriate size with enough moving space in between parallel seats and/or people to simply let go of this attitude of superiority.
I hope that my concerns are taken into consideration and hoping to see some changes.
S N SHARMA, Nausori
Traffic bookings
IT is alarming to read that 29,000 drivers have been booked for driving over the speed limit this year.
This figure equates to an average of 97 such infringements per day over the past 10 months.
These statistics is absolutely disturbing and cannot be ignored although it is not revealed as to what proportion of these cases have resulted in road fatalities.
There is definitely something amiss here and I believe the Land Transport Authority is fighting a losing battle.
Either the disobedience to traffic regulations is a domino effect of the growing lawlessness in this country or the penalty system is not effective enough to discourage such behaviour.
Obviously the strategies and measures that have been implemented so far have proved to be counterproductive and they need to be urgently reviewed if we are to reverse the trend.
The policy makers and other relevant stakeholders need to put their heads together to find some solutions to arrest the situation before more lives are lost on our roads.
Perhaps a course and effect analysis may be a good starting point towards diagnosing the problem.
We need to act now and act fast.
SELWA NANDAN, Suva
Drunk driving
WITH the holidays rapidly approaching, it is necessary to remind everyone about the dangers of drink- driving.
When drunk drivers take the road, they not only put themselves at risk.
They put our lives, our children, our friends, and our society at risk.
In addition to the physical and emotional damage they inflict as a result of their careless behaviour, they place a financial burden on the community in the form of court costs, emergency services, the repair of public property and more.
The real tragedy is that this all could have been prevented had the drivers waited until they were sober to drive or had a designated driver to take them home.
The holiday season is especially crucial time of the year to address the issue of drunk driving and its impact upon communities.
We can only encourage safe driving behaviour among family, friends and co-workers.
So the next time you decide to put your pedal to the metal, think first as the life you save, may be your own.
PAT VULI, Suva
Road inspection
I HAVE been trying to understand how the Fiji Roads Authority is going about putting taxpayers’ money to use but all I have is confusion and bafflement.
I see that they have done some work at the roundabout near FNU on Princes Rd and stopped there without going all the way down to Reservoir Rd.
The roundabout was not in urgent need of fixing but Reservoir Rd is.
The other mystery is they fix Victoria Pde up to GPH and Laucala Bay Rd up to a junction at Queen Elizabeth Drive and yet QE Drive remains in a sorry state.
Kudos to Chandu Umaria for his initiative in setting up My Suva Picnic Park but I still pity his work because of the shocking road conditions.
I also wonder what is the use of the road inspection vehicle these days.
I have seen it being driven around a lot but the conditions of the roads have not changed.
Mr Cook and company, I suggest you take a drive through QE Drive and up Reservoir Rd in the road inspection vehicle. I’m sure it will make for a very comfortable ride.
DAVID LUM, Suva
Daylight saving
Hilarious when someone says that people who don’t like daylight saving are lazy. People have their own likes and dislikes for everything. So shall I say that people who don’t like eating sweets are diabetic.
How can one relate to people’s likes and dislikes with their own thinking that they are trying to impose on others.
As for someone who’s son’s pillowcase was dried maybe sooner than she expected, does she think that there was actually more energised sunlight for that time-frame when her pillowcase was hanging out.
Someone also wrote that his family goes for a walk now every evening and even mentioned some routes they take.
Well it is something they can do in normal hours as well without daylight saving. Funny how some people exaggerate with silly and senseless reasons to justify the positives impact of daylight.
Anyway, as for me, I’m just counting the days for this nightmare called daylight saving to end.
KIRTI PATEL, Lautoka
Street party
Events Fiji with much excitement would like to inform that New Years Street Party in Nadi will be brought to you once again on the streets of Nadi on December 31, 2014.
This comes once a year and it gives our Nadi residence the best opportunity to unite and have fun.
Apart from this it gives a way to make a difference and show the nation our unity, our pride.
More into this we are known as tourist town of Fiji and this event will give an opportunity to visitors who will be here on holiday. This will be a promotion for future.
2015 new years street party is proudly brought to you by Events Fiji please be advised that we look forward to the support of business houses in Nadi.
Also we are planning similar street parties in Rakiraki and Ba.
More information about the entertainment, program, stalls and sponsorship contact office 9300551.
VINEEL NAND, Nadi
Rape penalties
I AGREE with Avineel Kumar (FT 13/11) that Fiji needs to have tougher rape penalties in a bid to protect our women from the perpetrators.
Rape cases continue to escalate every month and it’s disgusting to see the incidents of rape popping as headlines in our newspapers.
Rape victims go through numerous psychological traumas for the rest of their lives while the perpetrators are sentenced for a mere four or five years imprisonment.
Fiji should implement and enforce tough penalties for such crimes. In certain countries the thought of rape sends shivers down the nerves of perpetrators as they are accorded with the same attitude by their prison mates once they are sentenced.
As for Fiji, perpetrators should be known to the public so that they go through the same humiliation as the victims. This will very well be a lesson to others who may think about committing such hideous crimes.
AVITESH KUMAR, Ba
Fijian factor
BORN and raised in a family where all the family members are dedicated All Blacks fans or any form of New Zealand rugby, be it the ITM Cup to rugby league, and to the mighty All Blacks.
Nonetheless, one thing has always bothered me, since I was born in the beautiful Fiji Islands, why is the national 15s team not as good as the individual players in their respective clubs?
I remember back in the days when the media in Fiji would publish titles such as Fijian helps mighty All Blacks win in regards to Rokocoko and Sivivatu or Flying Fijian saves his team in regards to players playing in European clubs.
I agree they do help their respective teams, but not like some media claims as if without Fijian players, there cannot be a successful rugby team.
In all honesty I have never enjoyed watching Fiji play (bring on the bombardments of comments like “you are not a proud Fijian” etc), because as a team Fiji is not as good as the individual players.
My question is what happens when they form a team?
Do they suddenly forget how to play rugby?
If the media can publish stories that makes it seem like that without a Fijian player in a rugby team or, especially in All Blacks, the team is nothing.
Then why isn’t the entire Fiji team which are obviously comprising Fijians, are the best in the world, winning world cups, defeating any team they want at any time, instead of getting battered and torn apart by All Blacks 0-91, beat them or any other team like Australia, England, South Africa or France? And the list goes on.
If anyone still calls the current team the best, please watch the full match against France and not the first five minutes or so to jump to a conclusion.
By the way “having being together for such a short period of time” or “not enough time for preparation” is not an excuse, especially from Fiji where “rugby stars” are born!
Reminder, the IRB Rugby World Cup is next year, be prepared to face the wrath in the group stages, and all the best against Wales!
Ashneet Singh, California, US
Only in sports
JARRYD Hayne, an all-time great of rugby league, has decided to have a go at the American version, the National Football League (NFL).
The guy possesses the brains and brawn to succeed at the highest level of American football if he likes it and feels at home in its surroundings.
Code hoppers and sports crossovers such as Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor, Anthony Mundine Jr and lately Sonny Bill Williams and Israel Folau have shown that it’s not the size but the fight in the dog that matters.
Jonah Lomu during his heyday was rumoured to have been lured by some well known NFL clubs to strut his stuff in America. The rumours didn’t materialise.
Now Hayne, a cult figure in sports in this part of the world has taken that step to test his renowned rugby league skills in one of America’s favourite pastime.
Israel Folau, took the rugby union world by storm just within a two-year period.
For rugby union and league have similar setups in playing style with some specific differences while the American version has much more technicality in the way it is played.
So Hayne, has got some adjustments to make in order to accommodate himself with the dos and don’ts of the game. Yet with the quality of athleticism that Hayne possesses and the gifted sports mind-set that he has it won’t come as a surprise if he performs exceptionally well in the NFL.
Not forgetting the millions he’ll be getting if he lives up to the expectations of the public and his employers.
Hopefully the guy will do his best to promote the status of athletes locally and the region to lure scouts from America to come and search for talents in the region.
And by the way, congratulation to Semesa Rokoduguni for his performance in the England side that gave the All Blacks a good workout in the weekend. Our Flying Fijians though promising has a lot of work to do in order to be on par with rugby powerhouses such as France, All Blacks, Wallabies, Springboks and others.
Under coach John McKee, hopefully they will provide stiffer competition for any future opponent irrespective of their status in world rugby. For over the years, the rugby world has often caught glimpses of our famous brand of entertaining running rugby.
To take it to another level in structure and vice-versa have already been identified.
Maybe in a few years time the reality of being a pushover will come to a halt.
The question remains is it possible?
OSEA SIVO NAISAU, Ba
