Letters to the Editor: letters@fijitimes.com.fj
Black sea
UNLESS there is crude oil now seeping up from the seabed at Vuda that picture on the front page of The Fiji Times (FT31/10) is definitely oil.
You don’t need lab testing to prove it.
It may not be an oil spill from the terminals at Vuda but from a ship cleaning it’s cargo tanks or bilges and pumping the sludge overboard.
Breaking the Marine Pollution (MARPOL) laws could incur hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, if not millions.
The reason they can do that inside a fringing reef and not follow proper MARPOL procedures is that they know they can get away with it because nobody will do anything about it here in Fiji.
In this case, MSAF and Fiji Ports are supposed to work together in bringing these culprits to task.
We have very poor pollution regulation and control procedures here in Fiji which needs to be seriously looked at urgently or our coast will just be killed of every marine creature and coral.
On one of my tours on board a container ship in Australia we were bunkering (filling fuel) alongside the main container terminal inside Darling Harbour and the tanks overflowed spilling about 20 litres of diesel overboard (because of excessive trim by the stern of the vessel) into Darling Harbour.
The chief engineer got fined $US50,000 ($F96,000), the captain fined $US25,000 ($F48,000) and the company $US100,000 ($F192,000) and the ship was banned from entering Darling Harbour for a year.
And that was just for 20 litres of diesel spilling into the harbour.
The people of Vuda will be the ones suffering now because their coastline is now wrecked and they won’t be able to fish there for quite a while now because of contamination.
Whichever ship did that needs to be found and heavily fined and the people of Vuda compensated.
The least the oil companies or Fiji Ports can do is send an oil response team to clean up the coast.
CAPTAIN JOHNATHAN SMITH
Lami
Mental health
I COMMEND the Ministry of Health in tackling this worldwide issue.
Mental health issues know no borders. There has been much worldwide research into the causes but inconclusive results.
As I suffer from thyroid disease and its symptoms, I suggest the Ministry of Health look into this aspect of mental health and some of the root causes.
Thyroid disease also is a worldwide issue.
Education of this issue will help with the much talked about stigma attached.
For those who suffer educate yourself. You are not alone.
MIKE REID
Ovalau
Food bank
DONALD Singh’s letter on food bank (FT 30/10) is thought provoking especially when access to quality food is a fundamental human right under the 2013 Constitution.
Although it is constitutional right, all of us are bitten and can be seen to be all on our way to the food house for quality food. Maybe fish and chips and a beer.
I don’t find anything tough with that as long as the business community and well-to-do occasionally offer a shoulder for someone to hold on to.
Perhaps as an ongoing social concern for our lesser blessed community.
AMENATAVE YACONISAU
Suva
Import vehicles
MY concern is time one spends in the traffic when commuting from home to work and vice versa.
And it is something to do with town planning or lack thereof. The fact is that our Capital City has changed into a traffic nightmare because of either too many cars or too narrow roads or a combination of both.
If you drive along the densely traffic populated road and some motorcade wails a siren behind you, where do you go?
Let’s live with the fact and take drastic (even if unpopular) measures to curb this problem.
This would even go a long way into committing to our global obligation of reducing our contribution to global warming.
Another concern is about improving our public transport system. This would be a very good solution to prevent the private vehicles on our roads.
If the public transport operators, government and the public can join hands to make our public transport system effective, efficient, safe and reliable, the people would always opt to use it other than drive themselves to work.
This would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All the stakeholders should acknowledge that we have too many cars on our very narrow roads.
I, therefore, urge the ministries of Local Government, Development Planning and Transport and Public Works (together with all stakeholders; private, public and civil society) to urgently try and fix the mess that our traffic flow is becoming.
PAT VULI
Suva
Fiji passports
BROTHER Lockington, those Fiji passports found in Pakistan are not for entering Fiji.
They are to be used to enter Big Satan to “destroy it”. As you may know, a select few who have made no contribution to humanity in the past 700 years affectingly call the USA, the Big Satan.
Those are the folks who love to blow up schools and hospitals and anything else that resembles life.
So, I wouldn’t be worried in Fiji, but remain cautious anyway.
PRANEET SINGH
Sacramento
US
Our name
THE common identity gives us one big opportunity as all works of life & people of all race work together to be the name behind Fijian-made products.
We salute all those who put in efforts and made it possible.
Now everyone abroad and home prefers to buy or look for product with Fijian made logo.
There is a vast development both in economic and employment sector.
Our main goal is to keep it local with quality made so we can grow financially.
Just a concern we need to trust our local organisation and avoid tendering jobs outside Fiji. We can perform better and build our Viti.
It’s a blessing for those who have made it possible.
Soon the “Fijian” name will be globalised.
NEEL SINGH
Lami
Seasonal work
A RECRUITMENT agency in Suva is ready to send seasonal workers to Queensland after their Australian agent has set up work with farmers out there who desperately want Fijian workers in November and December.
Our biggest problem is getting the much anticipated seasonal workers scheme getting the official green light enabling Fijian workers to create a win-win situation for the farmers and workers including both economies.
We are keeping our fingers crossed in the hope that Julie Bishop’s visit this week would be good news for us Fijians with regards to seasonal work and the proposed three months holiday work visa.
SAVENACA VAKALIWALIWA
Nasinu
Fiji first
THERE has been some hoopla about development in the North and what the Prime Minister said about it. All we need to do is remind the FijiFirst leader about their manifesto, it contains everything that they promised to do for Fiji.
Like my mate in Mulomulo said, “FijiFirst, nah?”
ALLEN LOCKINGTON
Nadi
Assault on
middle class
BARELY two months in government, the Bainimarama Government has revealed its true colours to the citizens of this country.
The decision made to discontinue education withdrawals from State-owned corporation (SOC), the Fiji National Provident Fund, is an attempt made to weaken a large segment of the working class.
Education is an individual public good initiative, directed towards the establishment of a knowledge-based society.
The attempts made to disengage the FNPF with individual interest and investment in education, poses serious threats to the legitimacy and authenticity of the aforementioned corporate institution, as the custodian of all members’ accrued capital.
Apparently the State’s involvement as from time to time with the FNPF is a direct infringement of individual rights, including appropriation and ownership over the funds.
The State continues to assert its draconian guanxi wen authority over the FNPF with various failed investments opportunities and anomalies, while members are trying to come to terms with the day-to-day rationales of quality living. Indeed this is corruption in its very raw form.
Perhaps it is time to look critically into the entire operation of the FNPF and substitute it with a more modern superannuation funds scheme, for all citizens, irrespective of economical variations.
In a neo-liberal, egalitarian economy, no citizen can be discriminated upon based on the “have not” theory, although it is at the disposal of the government of the day, to open up the employment access market.
JOELI MEREKULA
Nakelo
New journey
THE Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament, Dave Carter says a visit by the Fijian Parliamentary delegation to New Zealand Parliament is an excellent first step in restoring relationship and shows New Zealand is committed in supporting Parliamentary Democracy in Fiji.
After the General Election, the step taken by the Fiji parliamentary delegation shows that Prime Minister Mr Bainimarama plus his ministers have started their new journey to familiarise parliamentary systems and procedures, hopefully implementing new and modern parliamentary sittings in Fiji’s Parliament.
It’s just over a month after the election. Fijians will surely wait to see how many new systems this delegation is going to implement and bring around in Fiji Parliament.
Will their visit prove to be a success or a failure? This will be known to the public in a number of years to come.
Hope for the best.
INDAR JIT
Sydney, Australia
Sack culprits
PUBLIC officers found guilty of breaching financial regulations must be sacked and charged for mismanagement of taxpayers’ fund.
The Auditor-General’s report from 2007 to 2013 has highlighted widespread abuse of public funds and flouting of the rules of basic financial procedure.
Abuse of taxpayers’ money is corruption of the highest order and a serious misdemeanor.
Everyone including elderly, sick, small children, babies, blind, deaf, mentally retarded, crippled, poorest of the poor, unemployed are required to pay taxes (VAT) either directly or indirectly. Prudent management of public funds is absolutely vital.
The recommendations of Auditor-General and Public Accounts Committee must be taken seriously and acted upon to prevent year in and year out breaches of financial regulations.
Cases of pilferage, fraud and abuse of public funds must be handed to FICAC for investigations and those found guilty sacked or disciplined.
DEO NARAIN
Suva
Vote for roads
WHILE all from Mulomulo commune have advanced with their tarsealed road by Higgins Ltd and no more dust, we on the Natewa Bay side of Tunuloa have never walked on a proper road but still tread on man-horse tracks.
We had voted and the result epitomised to our charismatic leader.
We, at the Natewa Bay side of Tunuloa, desperately request for a road to link from Wailevu Primary School to Napuka Catholic Secondary School for our schoolchildren to enjoy walking to and fro after classes.
JOJI TORONIBAU
Tunuloa, Cakaudrove
Hopeful people
WITH the new elected government every individual has hope for something or another.
People are raising their concerns with all sorts of things coming to their minds, rightfully though.
While we do realise not everyone’s wish can be fulfilled, I hope the Government can look into the very things that affect the majority of our country and that has a negative impact for our people and our country.
We are not trying to load the Government with concerns but rather are trying to send words that can make a difference as the problem can only be solved if it’s highlighted.
We are right behind the ones trying to make positive changes for the betterment of our country by being the voices of the people, the least we expect is to be heard and acted upon.
We only want to be kept in the loop as this will surely let people know exactly what is going on.
Not too much to ask for is it?
KIRTI PATEL
Lautoka
Back to the future
DURING his address at the opening of the new 2014 Parliament sitting on October 7, the President, His excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, categorically stated that in the next four years, the present government has put in place policies that will improve the living standards of all citizens of this country.
That sentiment was recently re-echoed by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in Labasa during his recent visit there.
The current climate of economic growth will be beneficial for all in improving their livelihood.
Since winning the election, Mr Bainimarama has often stated that he is the Prime Minister of all Fijians. So the welfare of all will be foremost in the services provided irrespective of race, colour or creed.
Hopefully with reforms on the Government’s agenda, we will witness an improvement in the services provided by those who choose to serve the people.
All key departments should at least have a branch in all urban centres. So as to minimise financial and time consuming losses as experienced in the past.
Forgetting about the past and staring anew is welcoming for the future always beckons.
OSEA SIVO NAISAU
Ba
Audit report and FICAC
THE FICAC Office should get copies of the Auditor-General’s reports from 2007 to 2013 and start pressing charges against those who abused powers, misappropriated taxpayers fund from 2007 to 2013.
In prior charges FICAC had laid, some cases went as back to year 2002 and 2000 and beyond when they were not in operation, but they collated information, spent thousands of dollars of taxpayers’ funds in lawyers’ fees to get those implicated behind bars.
FICAC should be committed to effectively combat corruption in order to promote transparency and accountability for the attainment of zero tolerance of corruption, set the foundation for good governance and create sustainable development for all citizens of Fiji.
And the people of Fiji would like to see how many people and civil servants are charged from the outcome of Auditor-General’s reports.
The people of Fiji are waiting to see the credibility and consistency of this organisation.
ASISH SHARMA
Surrey, Canada
The freebies
WITH the revelations from the Public Accounts Committee, one can now say that the Bainimarama Government is preaching what it practiced.
FijiFirst manifesto promises a lot of freebies.
Some civil servants have taken the lead and advantage of “the freebies” from the public funds.
Way to go FijiFirst, you have definitely set the bar high for the next “freebie” government.
GERALD CHUTE
Nadi
For all citizens
RIGHT thinking citizens of our beloved nation seem to be shaken by our PM’s comments where he says that most of the voters in Vanua Levu voted for the SODELPA and the Government of the day is double-minded about providing development or offer assistance to them.
Thanks to Mr Chaudhry’s comments where he stated that all developments to our nation is the responsibility of the Government of the day.
I remember that on May 19, 1999, Mr Chaudhry was sworn in to this post as head of a coalition government comprising the FLP, FAP and PANU. His Cabinet was announced two days later as the first Indian PM in Fiji.
In his maiden speech as the first Indian PM of our nation, he said we are here to serve the people (all races) of Fiji with different religious beliefs and cultures and mind you that’s what this great man did on his short term as PM of our nation.
I also acknowledge comments from the Leader of Opposition, na Marama Roko Tui Dreketi, and also comments from the Tui Cakau commenting on that speech by our PM in Labasa at the weekend.
One has to remember that the Government of the day is not FijiFirst, SODELPA, NFP or Labour but the Government of Fiji is for the people of Fiji and there to serve the people of our beloved Fiji.
JOSEFA NABUTA
Ba
Big job for our PM
MR Voreqe Bainimarama has been chosen by the majority of the Fijian people to lead our country into the next four years of democracy in Fiji.
This, I believe, is a big job for him to do. Not all people in our country agree with his vision.
As become evident by our Auditor-General’s report, much money in government coffers has been misused during his tenancy as PM, by overpaying civil servants and spending money left, right and center.
As we hear from Mr Biman Prasad, those overpaid will be questioned and taken to task. That is, in my belief, a futile task.
While I agree with our PM’s vision for our future Fiji, he still has to explain to us now how all our taxpayers’ money was spent during all the years he was and is in power.
That seems to me a big job for our PM.
ERWIN KARL SKIBA
Suva
Safe asbestos
ONCE again, I would like to bring to the authorities’ notice the asbestos on the Lautoka market roof.
Is anything being done?
I notice that workers are on the roof and what about OHS, does it count here?
All other workplaces have been rid of asbestos, not the Lautoka market.
Anyway, could someone in authority please verify if that asbestos is safe or not.
NELSON NARAYAN
Lautoka
Fiji delegation
I NOTE the unusually large size of the Fiji delegation to the United Nation’s Human Rights Council universal periodic review meeting in Geneva and wonder at the immense cost to the nation of what seems like a junket.
One must also question the inclusion of Chief Justice Anthony Gates and Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde in the delegation.
The judiciary is expected to keep itself aloof from direct involvement in such matters under the doctrine of separation of powers between the executive, the judiciary and the legislature.
Furthermore, how can Justice Gates and Mr Pryde, as watchdogs of the law, defend Fiji’s appalling human rights records at the UN Human Rights Council? knowing full well the extent of such violations in Fiji in the past eight years.
The 2013 Constitution, imposed on the people
of Fiji, does not uphold
the doctrine of separation
of powers between the different arms of the state.
Several provisions of the constitution also seriously undermine guarantees provided in the Bill of Rights section of the constitution.
And, of course, one wonders how the delegation will justify the number of decrees that are still in force that violate the basic rights of workers and trade unions in Fiji, and stand in breach of core UN conventions on these rights.
And what is MIDA’s Ashwin Raj doing in the delegation? Is he there to justify the repressive measures of the Media Decree which also incidentally is still in force?
As for the unnecessarily large Fiji contingent to the meeting – eight including Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum – this is clearly a junket.
After all, Fiji has a permanent representative to the United Nations based in Geneva in the person of former judge Nazhat Shameem who along with her staff should have been quite capable of dealing with any questions from the council regarding Fiji’s human rights record.
At the time of her appointment it was announced that Ms Shameem would be focusing on human rights issues.
In the past, all such issues were handled by the Fiji office in Brusseles.
JO WAQABACA
Nasinu
Diwali noise
A LOT has been said in this column over the past week or two about Diwali celebrations and the noise inconvenience associated with it.
Dog owners voicing concerns at the harmful effects to their pets. I can relate to this, because, I once had a dog who at the sound of a cracker, would run through the house and hide under my bed.
I would have to physically drag him out shivering and hold him until the noise subsided.
What about the noise and other inconvenience to us, the ratepaying public?
The fireworks started a good two weeks before Diwali and is still going so far.
I was talking to a friend of mine, who resides on MT Khan Rd in Waiyavi, and she was sitting in the dark awaiting FEA to restore power to their area, which was disrupted by a rocket hitting one of the main powerlines.
Needless to say as soon as that happened there was dead silence in that area.
I have no qualms with people celebrating this joyous occasion with a firework or two (I do not know whether that tradition stems from the original celebrations), but, there has to be a time frame imposed.
Tolerance always comes with a limit, don’t you think?
DENISE GIBSON
Lautoka
Ebola fears
THE topic of Ebola seems to have created a mild panic among your correspondents, I read.
The deadly virus is spread through bodily fluids of the infected person. It requires physical contact with such fluids.
It cannot be transmitted by someone who does not feel sick.
Ebola fear has been generally exacerbated by media sensationalism, superstition and misinformation.
What is not noticed is the population of those who have not been infected along with the ones who have recovered from this virus.
It’s fear that is bound to hurt human relationship in various ways.
For one, it can impede any mission of health workers and volunteers to reach areas of this viral crisis.
Granted, that Ebola is deadly but the best response is a rational one.
SACHIDA NATH
Nadi
Train them
IT is sad to hear about the 24-year-old woman found dead last Sunday in Ra.
As a young woman we should know our rights if something happened to us and not do something that’s going to kill us.
Mothers of today should have mother’s love as their love shapes cultures and individual.
They have to be informed and trained that they should accept their children when there is something wrong.
MERESEINI TAUKAVE
Ra
Rural taxis
I WISH to raise my concern as to renewal of rural taxis from roadside approved by Fiji Roads Authority on government road reserved.
It is not fair for new taxi applicants to get letters from commercial property or villagers. I wish to highlight this to all concerned authorities.
This should be addressed immediately.
MOHAMMED SHAMEEM
Nadi
Be prepared
A JAPANESE national who recently returned from Africa complained of fever and he was attended to efficiently and promptly by the immigration and health officials here in Japan.
However, it was just revealed that he didn’t have the Ebola virus.
I was totally amazed at how well this case was handled. The officials knew what to do and followed protocol. There was a policy in place by the relevant authorities even though (they initially believed) there was a low probability of the deadly virus entering the Land of the Rising Sun. They were prepared for it, however.
The Immigration Minister in Fiji recently said there was no immigration policy in place yet concerning Ebola, because the virus is yet to be detected in the region. He further said that Fiji has not reached that stage where a policy was needed.
I am pretty sure his ministry and the Ministry of Health are keeping tab on the development of Ebola and that they are vigilant about it, but I humbly suggest that they have a policy in place, so that his officers at all entry points know what to do, should there be a case like we recently had in Japan.
If not, they will be scrabbling to their feet when it does.
Be prepared – the famous Scouts motto.
MARIKA KUNAVULA
Okinawa, Japan
Where’s the benefit
THE Minister for Infrastructure and Transport said in Labasa that FEA spends $24m a week on diesel fuel, which means about $100m per month.
If FEA gets the diesel fuel at a discounted rate of $2 per litre, they will be buying about 12 million litres of diesel per week which adds up to about 624 million litres per year.
According to figures given by FEA, they use only about 85 million litres (2005) to 95 million litres (2009) per year. So who is trying to mislead us?
The total power generated by Monasavu Hydro in 2008 was 58 per cent (463 Gwh) and about 34 per cent ( 270 Gwh) by diesel. The other 8 per cent came from FSC Labasa, Lautoka, Tropic Drasa, Nagado Hydro, wind power, etc.
The projection given by FEA for 2015 is as follows:
* Monasavu Hydro – 44 per cent;
* Nadarivatu Hydro – 11 per cent;
* FSC Lautoka – 8 per cent;
* FSC Labasa – 4 per cent;
* Tropic Lautoka – 8 per cent;
* Vuda Biomass – 10 per cent;
* Diesel – 10 per cent; and
* Others – 5 per cent
These projections will not come overnight and we are almost in 2015, so most of the projects must be ready by now or almost there.
In 2008 FEA used 85 million litres of diesel to generate 34 per cent of the total electricity, so to generate 10 per cent in 2015 they will only need about 25 million litres of diesel.
Therefore, I can’t understand why the consumers can’t get the benefit which they have been promised by the present government during the election.
NARDEO MISHRA
Suva
Get rid of the monopoly
BURNING $24m of fuel per week is rather ridiculous and an irresponsible act of FEA.
They could have spent a month’s fuel cost ($100m) to install windmills at suitable locations all around Fiji or spend two months of fuel cost of $200m to build another hydro dam and go green.
The Energy Minister and Hasmukh Patel should stop comparing electricity rates with South Pacific countries and get innovative and practical.
If Fiji citizens can get power at a cheaper rate, why this is being taken away from them?
Alternatively, the Government could buy all line infrastructures across the country and rent/ lease it out to FEA and allow in a few competitors.
It’s high time the monopoly must go away.
SHIU GOUNDAR
Christchurch, New Zealand
Statutory boards
I FIND it hard to understand the need of almost a dozen members in every statutory board.
The organisational hierarchy generally comprise of CEO, GM, operations managers and so on but to top it up with a chairman and a dozen of board members is miserable.
No wonder the profitability, accountability, transparency and reliability of these boards are so poor. Most decision making is late because of bottle-neck trying to pass on from one member to the other. Majority of the profit is absorbed paying allowances to the board members.
In this modern era, do we really need such a huge number to make up the board? It is just like having a soccer team.
The very reason for referring to soccer is because neither soccer nor these boards have really achieved any great success over the past decades to feel proud about in particular FEA, WAF and PRB.
I urge the Government to please relook at the setup of these boards.
Slashing of board members would mean huge savings and better utilisation of funds in upgrading the services and facilities these boards provide.
A good example is if FEA board is downsized, the savings would be diverted to purchasing of diesel to run the generators and not just passing the costs onto the consumers.
The board and management are solely responsible for the state of this organisation.
It clearly indicates the poor decision making and how inefficient and ineffective the board and management are in delivering the services to its loyal consumers.
INTIYAZ HUSSAIN
Auckland, New Zealand
Then and now
I CAN recall renting an apartment in Suva about 15 years ago and this very pleasant landlord of mine always paid my electricity bill.
“Don’t worry … it’s only two dollars. l have paid it … it won’t break the bank balance..”
And now the price of electricity all over the world is skyrocketing.
Yes! Our leaders don’t have to worry about electricity bills. For them heating and air-conditioning are free. They are a privileged lot.
But to ordinary people like us, we have too many worries about our rising cost of living, our electricity bills, land rates, telephone, rent, water bills along with other basic necessities of life.
Here in Australia, the price of electricity is very expensive. People are unable to pay their electricity bills and every day several thousand homes are confronted with disconnections.
I just recently paid $900 as my household electricity bill. I am always broke after paying my electricity bills.
And so l have lots of empathy for those of us who are struggling with their electricity bills along with the rising cost of living.
SHAHKUN PRASAD
Melbourne, Australia
E-commerce in the North
NOW, that we in the North may not again enjoy the same opportunities as will be enjoyed by the rest of the nation, by getting the infrastructures’ of computer technology and trading in products or services using computer networks, such as the Internet, because of politics.
I guess we are going back to the coconut wireless for news upgrade.
JOJI TORONIBAU
Tunuloa
Vehicle control
THE Government and the LTA should think about changing laws for vehicle imports in this country.
We see 2000-plus vehicles registered every month through LTA and our roads cannot cater the movements of these vehicles now. What will happen after 10 years on the track?
The Government should introduce a quarter system whereby importation of the vehicles could be controlled.
Our roads in Fiji is maintained and the government should think about planning for excess roads to cater the demands of the vehicles in Fiji.
We have seen the morning and the afternoon traffic congestions and lead to drivers breaking the law just to avoid being caught in traffic.
Think of the future now before it becomes like driving in India without road rules.
Whoever comes first goes through.
KESHWAN NADAN
Nasinu
Shaming bad drivers
MR Allen Lockington suggested that shaming dangerous drivers might be an effective way to reduce the road toll.
It just might work and would be a reasonable thing to try. When I was on the National Road Safety Council, I suggested having short vignettes on TV to make bad driving socially unacceptable. There are many ways that could be done.
A young woman might break off her engagement with her fiancé upon seeing that he is a bad driver.
A manager might change his mind about promoting an employee upon learning that he is a bad driver.
Actually, road safety has considerably improved.
In the 1990s, there were times when the number of road deaths exceeded 100; now its down to about 40.
With real commitment, surely further improvement is possible.
FRANK EGGERS
Albuquerque, US
Media circus
THERE is no doubt about the fact that there is only one newspaper company and television company which are very reliable in terms of fair and accurate information.
However, not all people around the country have access to them.
For instant updates, one has to tune to the radio. Unfortunately, the radio stations – the Hindi ones – are becoming unreliable.
I was perplexed when I heard a ridiculous update about a Bollywood celebrity having an outburst on a stand-up comedians show.
While those who watch that show, and have watched that episode knew very well that the celeb was simply playing a pre-planned prank on the comedians cast.
However this particular station only aired the outburst part but not the other side of the story.
I am slowly losing my faith in these announcers who are becoming for a controversial story. On the same note, there is a page on a very prominent social networking site where the announcers of the two Hindi stations famous for new music are being defamed.
AVNEEL ABHISHAY
Nadi
Water leaks
SO WAF aims to reduce leaks?
One method would be to actually fix leaks, when they occur, properly.
Nasevou St in Lami has had leaks at various places along the southern 400 m, from pipes under the road, for many years.
They pop up every couple of years or so, and the leak itself is repaired after a while, the delay possibly being because nobody bothers to notify WAF.
This has been happening in the same spots for perhaps 25-30 years! I have been travelling along this stretch for more than 40 years so you can accept that I am not exaggerating.
Instead of just fixing the one leak each time, how about replacing the whole pipe right across the road?
PETER RODDA
Lami
Wrath of God
IN prescientific times, diseases and accidents were often seen as signs of God’s wrath.
Smallpox and plague were attributed to God’s displeasure, and some 18th-century American churches even opposed the use of lightning rods since they turned away God’s righteous electrical punishment.
Science dispelled most of this nonsense, with a few remaining exceptions that are based on religion, as evident by Malakai Naduva’s letter (FT 26/10).
The dehumanising idea that illness is connected to sin is a common feature of religious thinking about disease and sickness in general.
Periods of crises, such as the current Ebola crisis, may empower religious people to speak openly about the way that their traditions understand disease, but these explanations are not the product only of such exceptional moments of crises.
They are, rather, deep, long-lived, and fundamental aspects of how religious communities think about the sick among them.
People who present Ebola and other crises as divine punishment are participating in the perpetuation of a dangerous and destructive mode of thinking.
NICK RODRIQUEZ
Nasinu
Public service reforms
CONTRARY to what Manpreet Kaur (FT 31/10) feels, I am of the view that Ministry of Education (MOE) is in need for major reforms.
The MOE needs to finetune its recruitment of teachers criterion for secondary and primary schools.
This needs to begin with hiring of students for teacher training. All entrants to teacher trained programs must be hired on merit and need to go through an aptitude test.
Also MOE needs to come clear on how it hires teachers and allocates schools to them.
It is noted with regret that many teachers who are teaching in urban schools in main centres especially Suva get appointments because they know someone at the headquarters or are from a particular area or very closely associated with the teacher union executives.
Nepotism and favouritism need to be eradicated from the education system.
Students assessment in classes is highly judgemental especially the classroom-based assessment (CBA).
While this is good as it measures student creativity, it is subjective, solely relying on this is not a good idea.
I am grateful to the Minister of Education to bring back exams at Year 10 and Year 12. However, I suggest that examinations should not be used as the only way to determine who progresses to academic or technical areas. Some components of CBA should also be taken on board.
The education officers and the staff appointments at the headquarters also need to be reviewed.
Many teachers who could not perform in schools and had issues with management of private schools occupy senior positions.
If teachers are transported to headquarters, then there is a need for them to rotate on a regular basis.
Many education officers simply boast that they were the best in their days. Given their experience and achievement they should go back to the school system as teachers, principals, consultants etc.
There are my things to share on education. I leave it to other readers to contribute.
DEVEN NARAYAN
Suva
Curriculum development
IMAGINE a country where children do nothing but play until they start schooling at age seven.
Then, without exception, they attend comprehensives until the age of 16. Charging school fees is illegal, and so is sorting pupils into ability groups.
There are no inspectors, no exams until the age of 18, no school league tables, no private tuition industry, no school uniforms.
Children address teachers by their first names. Even 15-year olds do no more than 30-minute homework each night.
The national curriculum is confined to broad outlines. All teachers take five-year degree courses (there are no fast tracks), and if they intend to work in primary schools, are thoroughly grounded in educational theory.
They teach only four lessons daily, and their professional autonomy is sacrosanct. So attractive (some might say cushy) is a teacher’s life that there are 10 applicants for every place on a primary education course, and only 10-15 per cent dropout of a teaching career.
Since 2000, Finland has featured at or near the top league tables for educational performance, whether children are tested on literacy, numeracy, or science. More than 60 per cent of its young people enrol in higher education, roughly evenly divided between universities and polytechnics.
The country’s defiance of political orthodoxies appears to do little economic harm.
According to the World Economic Forum, Finland ranks third in the world for competitiveness thanks to the strength of its schooling, which overcomes the nation’s drawbacks, in the forum’s view, such as restrictive labour market regulations and high tax rates?’ (The Guardian Weekly, 19/7/13).
But what is still needed, according to Pasi Sahlberg’, Finland’s global ambassador on education, is “less formal, class-based teaching, more personalised learning. more focus on developing social and team skills”.
Food for the deepest thought, I think.
By the way, every secondary school in Fiji would do well to subscribe to The Guardian Weekly for their students and staff. Primary schools could do similarly.
Some of my own copies trickle into one school via those I pass them on to.
CHRISTOPHER GRIFFIN
Rakiraki
Scholarship issues
WHILE the Government is doing all in its means to provide financial support to students in the form of National Toppers Scheme and TELS, I feel it is time overseas scholarships should be provided to students who want to pursue their Bachelors Degrees at overseas institutions.
So far the overseas scholarships are confined to the recipients of Masters, PhD and public service officials.
Scholarships are the only way students from poor family backgrounds can study abroad and I think it should be available to the current potential students.
Getting scholarships for countries such as Australia and New Zealand will not only strengthen economic ties but will also enhance educational ties as well.
While I do agree that there are scholarships available in the fields of medicine, research and language studies but these are just a drop in the ocean.
I’m sure many students would be willing to study abroad if right opportunities are available.
AVITESH KUMAR
Ba
Player welfare
THE FRU has come out and said that they are now in a position to pay our sevens gladiators who play this game we all love as far back as the Dubai tournament in 2013.
Seriously, after all their sacrifices only to be passed around like a rugby ball, it’s a wonder they are jumping ship for greener pastures.
Just a word of caution, if we continue down this road, the coach will follow suit as there is only so much a human being can tolerate, but to drop the ball because of an administrative blunder will surely take its toll.
Why they chose to go with Vodafone and the conglomerate is beyond me, because Digicel was doing so well in looking after the players’ welfare.
I guess the top guns know more than me.
Anyway, to Ben and the boys, vinaka vakalevu na vosota, our prayers are with you.
LAWRENCE WARA
Suva
Bring it home
WHAT a way to start the series by our national sevens team.
Some close friends have firmly said Fiji will win it this year. Some say not a chance.
We must remember we started the same way last year. What happened at the end? We all know the answer to that.
I must say all we got from the last series was a handful of our boys have managed to secure good rugby contracts overseas.
I guess there will be a few more that will follow suit this year. We can witness that with the amount of Fijian players names the commentators struggle to pronounce.
I guess we have just to hold on to our seats and make sure the seatbelts are on as we witness more talents and new skills unfold as the world series rolls on.
Let’s hope the World Sevens Series title makes its way to Fiji this year.
Wouldn’t that be a big boost leading to the Olympics?
Vinaka Mr Ryan for holding the fort.
JOPE SOKO
Suva
Please, pay them
AFTER a wonderful win in the Gold Coast Sevens, Fijian rugby fans from all around the world are now looking forward to a successful defence of the Dubai sevens title which our boys won in magnificent fashion last year.
Our boys are playing some of the best sevens rugby in the world right now and the support of the nation behind them, and of course a great coach.
We look all but set on our path to a successful series campaign; you can almost feel the positive vibes. Sevens rugby truly unites our people.
But wait! The spoilers are in. We now learn that the players from last year’s winning team are yet to receive their promised win bonus.
Surely it doesn’t take a whole year to sort out and process payments. I bet the FRU executives salary payments are always on time.
I humbly request the FRU to, please, pay what is owed to the players. You know it is the right thing to do.
At least, do it for the sake of the sport and the rugby-crazy people of this country.
SHAKEEL DATT
Nasinu
Sevens bonus
WE celebrated in Dubai when our boys won and the boys were promised a bonus.
In all the excitement we didn’t know that the boys weren’t paid “that” bonus.
In modern sporting times, money is in the forefront of things. Players have to make a living and thus they play and get paid. Gone are the days when players played for the love of the game only.
Pio Tuwai has put it properly, he has gone to Sri Lanka because they look after the players better.
If our boys drop their level of commitment and play miserable, I will not blame them.
FRU will be to blame.
ALLEN LOCKINGTON
Nadi
Why not Nalaga
WE all hope John McKee can build on the platform and results from earlier this year for team Fiji.
Our touring squad is well balanced and our boys are making headlines in Europe for their respective clubs.
However, one question remains how Napolioni Nalaga who is now the highest try scorer in T14 and breaking records every week wasn’t selected for this tour?
With the withdrawal of Nadolo for first game, Nayacalevu was selected yet his game stats are not as imposing as Nalaga.
The inclusion of Peni Ravai who stood out for Western Sydney Rams at hooker and Taniela Koroi gives us hope that our scrum and lineout woes will be better than last year’s tour.
We all look forward to next week when we take on the French.
HENRY ROBINSON
NSW, Australia
Schools rugby
THE country is so overjoyed and proud of the outstanding success at the Gold Coast Sevens by Ben Ryan and his warriors.
Their strengths and speed have the commentators calling them again the Flying Fijians.
We, as a rugby nation, gloat over such performance yet totally ignore disastrous failures such as the secondary schools rugby team that has just returned from New Zealand.
They slipped back into the country without fanfare, had a thanksgiving service and dispersed.
There was silence. Look at the statistics, our sevens heroes averaged 38 points positive for each game. Our secondary hopefuls registered average 50 points negative.
This is a major setback on the future of our rugby in Fiji and while we jumped with joy and beat our chests for the sevens win, we turn a blind eye on the appalling performance of our schoolboys.
Our sevens players feel so much joy and happiness at their success. Do we care how our schoolboys feel? They must be in a dilemma. Does anybody care how I feel?
I am a better athlete than my counterparts in New Zealand and Australia yet we were thrashed.
Whose fault is it that the tour was a disaster? I trained hard and did what the coach told us to do. I am depressed, my rugby future looks uncertain.
Yes indeed, who is responsible for the direction of secondary schools rugby.
The Deans Trophy has attracted record crowds and the president of the secondary schools rugby has promised that next year’s tournament will have video referees. Big deal.
The structures and skills for good winning rugby is being forsaken for the spectacle of thumping late tackles, jersey pulling and indiscipline behaviour.
The defensive and offensive structures plus the discipline to execute the fundamentals of basic rugby are totally lacking in our schools.
The Secondary Schools Rugby Association has grossly failed in the main objectives of good rugby. To whom does this association give its account of performance to? Are the funds of this association being used to further uplift the standard of schoolboys rugby?
I watched the tail end of our schoolboys’ game against New Zealand Barbarians and what struck me more than anything else in the game were four of our reserves huddled together under an umbrella, arms folded and obviously shivering.
No track suits or warm clothing on a cold rainy New Zealand day. If called as replacements, then this was inviting serious injury. That regrettably is the story of secondary schools rugby.
I would recommend that a hard look be taken into the welfare of schoolboys’ rugby.
To develop top-class professionals is to instil into our boys the basic fundamentals of the game and this can only be done by an institution run by professionals.
New Zealand and Australia have such institutions and in all codes of the oval ball these nations are either number one or rated in the top three.
If we can put our schoolboys on par with their overseas counterparts surely we can attain similar heights.
Our Government professes that our future lies in investing in our youths well here lies one area that needs addressing.
HAROLD SWANN
Nasinu
Soccer standards
IN a perfect world, we would have unlimited time and funds … and a long list of other things.
But we are practical people, and agree our local soccer is probably constrained by time and budget.
You just cannot afford to focus on district level and just winning because that is not delivering the result we want to achieve at the FIFA ranking.
Our standard of soccer is just not to the par.
The level of soccer displayed by districts is a laughing stock in comparison with the abundance of skills and performance seen in EPL.
I hope to see teams playing constructive soccer than just focusing on winning.
SANJEEV VERMA
Lautoka
Develop the game
I SUPPORT Tagi Vonolagi for his letter (FT 24/10).
Injured player to travel with the team for better treatment on the way. Question to Fiji FA was he injured when he was wearing the U20 jersey.
No, he didn’t get injured when he was in camp and when he was playing for the U20. He got injured while playing for Ba in the first round of the IDC tournament against Lautoka. Is he the only player who can do better in the team?
We have more players who can make use of the trip and represent Fiji in this sports. This is the first time a injured player is travelling with team for treatment.
For players treatment there should be a different trip from a soccer trip for our national teams build-up for World Cup. C’mon Fiji FA wake up.
Good idea in bringing back Gabby Cabenalawa Mataisiga. He deserves to be in the squad after a wonderful performance for Seaqaqa during IDC.
My humble request to Fiji FA. Bring back Verevou in the team and suspended players. They have served enough time for their suspension.
Even professional players don’t receive this kind of treatment for discipline issue. It’s all soccer players dream to play in a World Cup and what all players wish is to represent their country in sports they love. Fiji is going in this World Cup for the first time in history.
Why don’t we take the best players who can do the job and make all Fijians proud come this World Cup in 2015.
Making mistakes is human nature Mr President. You were given that post to build and develop soccer in our country and not to end the dreams of our young soccer players.
Do your job and treat this young players as sons representing the country.
As president you are the father of players and all players do respect you and please feel in the same feelings and have a fatherly feelings for who you have given them a long team suspension. Have a heart president and Fiji FA discipline team because you will not do that to break a heart of your own son in giving a long team suspension.
Please do not spurn the broken humble heart of our young player and do give them another chance to prove their worth in the team and we soccer lovers in Fiji understand,they have learnt from their mistakes and they will give their best if given another chance.
ALATINI BERA
Nadi
Free education
WELL all are happy about free education. But is it really free?
I have a sister in a senior form in a well-known high school.
Now there is a collection for a gown and my question is: Is it not catered for in the grant given by the ministry?
If so,then why do the students have to dig into their parents’ pockets.
Believe me there are many other reasons given for other collections made throughout the year.
Fees are lifted but sending children to school has become expensive.
SACHIN CHAND
Nadi
Issues of the people
RECENTLY many issues have been raised in regards to letter writers in editors column.
To my personal experience, being a taxidriver irrespective of my tertiary qualifications, I find reading and writing in editors column quite challenging.
Many issues raised by myself as a taxidriver to relevant authorities, I have experienced my issues given least priority, reason being I am a taxidriver, I am not educated and what difference will it make as I am classed below zero level in the society.
Some of the same issues while highlighting via editors column, I have experienced relevant authorities taking heed of the issues the very next day or within the weeks.
One of my letters was selected the best letter for the year 2013, and we taxidrivers were really proud of such achievement and it has earned me respect among other fellow taxidrivers and society.
We taxidrivers are big fan of The Fiji Times and enjoy reading and being updated with the current affairs of the nation.
Imagine how the whole Fiji is compressed and put up in Fiji Times and read by thousands daily.
Go The Fiji Times.
SHAMAL CHAND
Nausori
QUICK VIEWS
Funny football
WHEN Fiji achieves its goal to lock-in the 208th position in FIFA world rankings soon, can the Fiji Football Association rebrand itself to “Funny Football Association”?
KELVIN ANTHONY
Suva
Daylight saving
DEFINITELY because of daylight saving, people who are to report at work at 6am will miss their early morning exercise and their dawn prayers. I still expect that the plight of all would be considered in future before any decision is taken on this issue.
MOHAMMED SABIR
Nasinu
Wreck yard
THE parking space at Nausori Police Station looks more of an accident vehicle display than a car park. I wonder when the wreck yard will be cleared.
SHAMAL CHAND
Nausori
Save the park
I WENT past Shirley Park on Thursday and saw Allen and Narayan Reddy sitting under a tree. They were probably thinking of other countermeasures on how to save the park from ruthless developers. I applaud their effort as concerned citizens. Especially when they will tie themselves to a tree to halt development.
WISE MUAVONO
Lautoka
Modi in Fiji
IT is great to know that the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make an official visit to Fiji on November 19. It will be a historic event. I hope Fiji and India’s diplomatic ties will strengthen after this visit. We have a long history with India – our forefathers are from India. I hope Mr Modi finds Fiji a pleasant experience and takes with him loads of memories of a better Fiji.
ASHNEEL PRASAD
Auckland, NZ
So easy
FROM the Auditor-General’s report we can see that it is so easy to access Government funds for misuse.
SUKHA SINGH
Labasa
Rugby incentive
WOULD it be too much of a ask from our parliamentarians to contribute towards some sort of incentives for our rugby players, considering their hefty pay packages?
SHAKEEL DATT
Nasinu
Afghan war
THE British involvement in the Afghanistan conflict ended this week with a total of 453 deaths of British troops between 2001-14. This figure includes several from Fiji. Others were wounded and badly maimed as a result of their service to the crown. I would hope the authorities in Fiji will remember these individuals accordingly on November 11 if such a service is still held in the islands.
FRANK RYAN
United Kingdom
