I write this letter with a heavy heart, motivated by an unwavering commitment to uphold the principles of justice, equality, and human dignity that define our beloved Fiji.  

Recent events have cast a disturbing shadow over our nation’s commitment to these ideals, and it is incumbent upon us to raise our voices.  

The discharge of nuclear waste into the Pacific Ocean is not just an environmental issue; it is an important issue in terms of human rights.  

Our citizens have the right to live in a healthy environment, free from pollution and danger. 

The potential threat to our coastal communities, livelihoods, and health cannot be underestimated. 

Transparency and the right to information are fundamental to a thriving democracy.  

To ensure trust and accountability, authorities need to provide clear, timely, and accurate information on risks and mitigation measures.  

Moreover, the right to participate in decisions that affect the environment is a cornerstone of democracy. 

We urge our leaders to engage with and respect the voices of affected communities. Their future deserves to be discussed.  

As proud Fijians, we must be united in our determination to protect our people and our environment.  

Let us ensure that human rights are not violated in the face of this serious issue.  

Our heritage is defined not only by the actions we take but also by the values we hold. Together, we will defend human rights in the face of challenges.  

In unity and determination. 

Story By: Salmaan Shafik 

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This has become news of national interest to concerned Fiji citizens.  

I am appalled by the manner in which the former Attorney-General has come up publicly in the media to defend those involved in Grace Road and the press conferences evolving from some Grace Road officials. 

This has been ironed out in the parliamentary sessions this week and the steps taken by Government must be commended, in particular by the Minister for Immigration.  

Fiji must not be dedicated to by the foreigners in our nation. We cannot do the same if we are living in Korea. The laws of the land must be obeyed and diligently followed.  

When there was call by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) and had issued a red notice on these Korean nationals in July 2018, to “locate and arrest with a view to extradition”, the previous government failed to adhere to the red notices.  

The former Attorney-General must be the last person to come into this dilemma.  

Why, during his reign, didn’t he put into place appropriate measures when there was a signal from the Korean government on the red notices?  

It’s clear that the drama isn’t between Grace Road and Fijian Government, but certain persons in Grace Road.  

Let us all cooperate to resolve the Grace Road issue, better for all.  

We must have better bilateral relationships with the Korean government. 

Story By: Indar Deo Bisun 

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I wholeheartedly agree with “Super-boot” Severo Koroduadua, as per Fiji One TV interview shown on Thursday evening.  

The FIJI Water Flying Fijians must take every three pointers when given. We must not be over-confident and choosey.  

The Flying Fijians could have beaten Wales easily had we taken at least nine points in the first 30 minutes.  

It is all history now. We must learn. Hindsight is so wonderful.  

We stand by you. Play hard and smart. Be disciplined. Wallabies are definitely beatable (minus 16th player).  

Toso tale Viti, toso. 

Story By: Ronnie Chang 

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Experts are reportedly considering geo-engineering climate in a somewhat desperate attempt to curb the effects of climate change.

They are even calling for a moratorium on efforts to geo-engineer climate.

While this, if it does materialise in some form after many years of R&D, may sound like a breakthrough, on paper, our fellow humans must be careful.

Some humans are wealthy beyond imagination, some smarter than 20 professors put together, some more ambitious than Elon Musk and Sir Richard Branson, and some still trying to understand climate change properly.

Many are still sitting on the fence on the subject. Rather than pretending to be an expert on the subject like some 90 per cent of the people, I’d play it safe and say, “do not tinker with God’s creation”.

However, I would join our Government’s e ffort in lobbying for climate funding.

If humans have caused it, humans pay, both the price and the cost of mitigation. If humans didn’t cause it, still humans pay because everyone now believes beyond doubt that humans caused it.

As an expert in the agriculture industry, I have knowledge and experience on engineering the microclimate for crop production.

That’s fine because the technology is limited to farms only. Trying to restrict the sun’s rays shining on earth takes it too far.

I hope experts fail in their geoengineering attempts. The problem, however, is that many will have made millions and even billions by the time the concept is ruled out.

Fiji must cash in through the current global funding mechanisms though. So, the next COP meeting should not be taken lightly.

A billion or two dollars will do no harm.

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The FijiFirst government reportedly spent $6.7million to renovate and refurbish the house allocated to the PM.

The current government forked out another $3.5m in repairs after it was vacated.

An expenditure of $10m on a single house is mind-boggling.

This amount would have bought or built two completely new and better homes on Naisoso Island or elsewhere.

We are limited only by our imaginations on what else could have been done with this huge amount of money.

How about two or three-bedroom houses for 100 families or pay for improving hospitals and health facilities?

Nevertheless, do the taxpayers just lie down and absorb all this extravagant nonsense?

Will anyone be he held accountable?

How and what did the previous government spend the $6m on. Who damaged the previous property and stole the furniture? What was the recent $3.5m spent on?

Please, provide details to the people or drown yourselves in people’s speculations.

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Despite a credible performance by our Under-23 football side in Pool play against our New Zealand counterparts during the OFC men’s Olympic qualifier 3-1 loss in Auckland, when it mattered most, the side was comprehensively beaten 9-0 to the extent of a player being red carded and an own goal by Inok Turagalailai.

I don’t blame the players but Fiji Football Association for not playing friendly matches as the Oly Whites did prior to the qualifier. Continuously bringing expatriate coaches for the Bula Boys and Kula Girls is still not giving the desired results.

They enjoy the hefty salaries and perks, never to be matched by any of our local coaches.

What do you have to say Fiji Sports Commission Peter Mazey?

The difference is clear between Fiji Rugby and Fiji Football, in terms of performance and world ranking.

To the die-hard football fans, losses hardly matter to the thick-skinned Fiji FA officials, led by its president, Rajesh Patel, as big dollars keep pouring in from FIFA.

Fiji FA is quickly on the move to promote the local Battle of the Giants (B.O.G.) tournament to boost its coffers.

Personally; I keep blaming the majority district delegates for voting them in continuously.

Finance nor the sports minister has any say to interfere in the affairs of Fiji FA. Sorry to fellow LTE column writer, Selwa Nandan, that! am still waiting for a response from Rajesh Patel to the football debate.

May be chief executive Mohammed Yusuf can be his alternative replacement to take me on.

On a positive note, for Fiji FA, the 2026 World Cup will see 48 teams from 32 and a direct entry to the World Cup from the Oceania winner.

What more do you want Rajesh Patel?

Finally; the 9-0 drubbing saw Fiji FA give $9000 plus to WOWS Kids Fiji but it was coming from football fans who bought tickets during the Fiji FACT.

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As we entered half time between Fiji and Australia, I can proudly say 15s rugby is now the number one sport in Fiji. Sevens is now second.

No more are we a Tier 2 rugby nation. No longer should we play Samoa, Tonga, Portugal and Georgia.

We shall play only the top four teams in the world. People might say that Drua laid the platform, but I believe the foundation was relooked immediately when we had failed to qualify for one of the world cups.

We’ve always given top rugby teams a scare in the first half and completely faded out after and hour, but now its about 80 mins and beyond.

Vinaka, FRU and all those involved. Irrespective of the result, we are all so proud. Toso Viti, toso.

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I am lost for words. How can I describe the performances of our Flying Fijians?

Indeed, they have made our week a great one. You will see everyone smiling and happy; reason for partying is just an excuse.

Simione Kuruvoli was my second player of the match.

Kudos to our men in white. This day will be remembered for life; 69 years later, we beat the Wallabies.

But hold on, more upsets are on the cards.

Amid some weakness in the line-out and infringements, our men produced a world class match.

Anyways, all the best for remaining two games. Go Fiji, go!

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The ordinary Fijian, the retirees, and those on the margins of society cannot and will not be able to accept any increase in pro­posed tariff by Energy Fiji Limited (EFL), by any circumstance.

We are struggling each day, everyday to put food on our plates.

We, most times, lack the financial resources to “cushion” any untoward “shock” and/or emergency.

The 32 per cent tariff increase by EFL is one we simply cannot handle. Please, do not strangle us and push us over the “edge.”

We are very vulnerable today. The hard­ships are real.

To all EFL top guns, please reduce your handsome 2022 $58.1 million profit by 50 per cent; be patriotic to address your capital ex­penditure.

I plead again to the line minister responsi­ble, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, to intervene again.

Your people are suffering much daily hard­ship.

I continue to strive to be the little voice for the silent majority.

We thank you, Sir, in earnest anticipation.

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The outrageous proposal by Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) to seek protection from “roof­top solar” is not only outrageous but ridicu­lous.

It goes against the global push for transi­tioning to a new future based on renewable energy technology, phasing out fossil fuels and reducing GHG emissions, to help save our planet from the huge impacts of climate change.

The absurd justification of only the wealthy being able to afford solar systems is a non­sense.

There are funds available via various cli­mate financing windows for small island developing countries like Fiji to get grants to make this happen.

Australia claims to have the highest per­centage of roof solar in the world and surely our big brother would be waiting for any op­portunity to provide such targeted support.

What efforts has EFL made to access the huge pool of funds available?

It seems, as has been highlighted on several occasions, it is the lack of vision by EFL to wean itself of expensive fossil fuels that has gotten us to this situation.

Surely it ought to have been strengthening and upgrading its grid infrastructure to pre­pare for this inevitability.

Such startling proposal not just points to poor policy and planning on the part of EFL but is directly contradictory to the Govern­ment’s efforts through the ministries of cli­mate change and environment, energy, and infrastructure, etc to deal with the current and future impacts of climate change as the number one security issue for Fiji and the region.

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2023. The very first time a Fijian Super Rugby franchise, the ‘Fijian Drua’, reached the quarterfinals in only its second year of Super Rugby.

Then, the very first time a Fijian rugby team defeats the English Rose at its most hallowed turf on Twickenham.

And after 69 years, the very same team defeats the mighty Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup 2023 in Saint Etienne, France. Congratulations on the deserved wins.

Flashback to 2019, the Paris 7s, wherein a rugby commentator mentioned, enthralled in his awe of the way Fiji was playing on its way to victory, that the Fiji 7s team was playing sevens rugby at “Jedi level!”

One or two of those players are in the current ‘FIJI Water Flying Fijians’ rugby 15s team at the RWC 2023 and most probably have had their Jedi abilities rub-off on the rest of the team.

As the team continues to play sublime 15s rugby, the rugby world has woken up to the fact that Fiji has thrown out the window, the rugby tier strata.

As our FIJI Water Flying Fijians rugby team and coaching panel stay grounded and have as their objective, a finals placing and win the Rugby World Cup 2023.

This would be the ultimate first and a grand year for Fijian rugby! This is the only objective.

If we achieve the objective, well and good. If we don’t, it is not because we did not try, we gave it our very best.

Continue with the game plan and substitute players early in the second half. You are replacing platinum players with other platinum players. Vuka Viti, vuka!

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It’s time for people to move on after being cheated and duped by the so-called EbayShop scammers.

I hope the victims have learnt their lesson. Similar crypto currency scams existed around the world. This time, they took on innocent people in Fiji.

I don’t mean to sound negative, but the so-called agents involved should be taken to task. Many have lost money; some left their job to be part of it.

Let’s not cry over it; money lost can be earned again but not your health.

So, let’s move forward and think of other ways to make life happier.

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The Minister for Transport said in Parliament that from January 23 to May 23, 53 per cent of fatal crashes involved private Class 2 license holders.

It would be interesting to know which age groups were involved with the most accidents.

Is it the younger drivers enjoying the thrill of speed? Older drivers would have grown out of the speed thrills.

To the Minister for Transport, please ask LTA to analyse the age groups involved.

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As I read the Permanent Secretary of Education’s report on the challenges faced by Fiji’s education because of the departure of a great number of Teachers from the Ministry’s employment over these years, I can only say that the crisis can easily be addressed by Government alone in two major ways.

(a) Recognise and restore the status of teachers according to what our government and fellow governments of the world had agreed to and mandated to apply, as members of U.N. It is the ILO/UNESCO Recommendations on the Status of Teachers.

This was signed in 1966 for all teachers and in 1997, for Teachers in Higher Education.

The provisions of these two universal instruments are supposed to not only set a universal standard for the recognition of the status of teachers; but also, to achieve quality standards that teachers of all countries of the world and at every level, are to maintain. Principles concerning the rights and responsibilities of educators, ranging from the pre-school are set out in these instruments.

I had raised this before in the media when the past government was confusing issues about teachers’ required qualifications and unilaterally imposing working conditions outside the usual Collective Agreement bargaining process, which the ministry was duty-bound to recognise and apply.

I had also mentioned that our very own Fiji citizen and academic, Professor Konai Thaman, of USP, had sat on the committee, CEART, that monitored the application of the ILO/UNESCO Recommendation on the Status of Teachers worldwide.

I kindly request the Ministry of Education to use this recommendation to guide the work on the Preparation of Quality Teachers for Quality Education.

(b) Honour our teachers’ workers’ rights by fully restoring teachers working conditions embodied in the Collective Agreements which had been negotiated through collective bargaining over the years.

These working conditions were negotiated on behalf of teachers by their unions, FTU and FTA and are documented as General Orders by PSC, as well as the FNU Collective Agreement.

The Ministry of Education must note that they do not have the mandate to unilaterally impose teachers’ working conditions.

As a member of ILO, Fiji had ratified ILO Conventions 87 and 99, and under the provisions of these, all conditions of work have been agreed to be negotiated by the employer and employees through employees’ representatives.

When the employer (Ministry of Education) wishes to change any condition or introduce a new one; and if the teachers also desire a new need to be met, they each table their proposals in a new “Log of Claims” and set dates for collective bargaining.

Once consensus is achieved in these negotiations, an agreement on the new condition(s) is signed.

Unfortunately, the last government had unilaterally removed many of these negotiated conditions and imposed new ones.

Most damaging had been the introduction of contracts and the massive work burden of writing up reports by teachers.

Most critical was the removal of negotiated MQR for teachers’ posts and its replacement by the Open Merit System.

We believe that as long as the elements of this OMS are still being used, and the old MQR which put work and leadership experience first rather than academic qualifications, many experienced, good educational leaders in the schools, will continue to leave.

I thank this government for removing contracts, restoring rights of faith-based schools’ management to choose their heads and for inviting the two teachers’ unions to sit at the table again when post-processing is done.

May I recommend that the ministry focuses on correcting the process of collective bargaining for teachers’ conditions and applying this all the time.

You see, teachers are the deliverers of education. Hence, they must always be involved in an organised way, to identify their needs; students’ needs, curriculum needs and needs or gaps in the ministry’s services or management.

These have an impact on the teachers’ working conditions and hence can be best addressed through negotiations of working conditions, which includes fair pay as recognition of teachers’ status and worth.

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I believe that it is the Fiji Roads Authority responsibilities to ensure that the roads are safe and have adequate administration controls in place and timely maintained.

Road markings perform an important function of guiding and controlling traffic and serve as a psychological barrier and signify the delineation of the traffic path.

They also channelizes the movement of the pedestrians and cyclists into the safe zones.

The road marking paint must be of highly reflective materials, which makes it a lot easier to see even in bad weather or any situation where visibility is poor.

It helps in raising the awareness of approaching danger spots and warns drivers to keep proper control in their speed.

The Nokonoko Road in Laucala Beach Estate is a very busy double lane arterial access to and from the city.

Just opposite the popular fish market near the Bailey bridge is an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing which is badly faded and has lost the white strips on the Suva bound lane due to the heavy vehicle movement. Apart from the sign on the post it is a challenge to identify this foot crossing and the risk greatly increases in the adverse weather conditions or for any motorist who maybe new it the area.

Marked crosswalks guide pedestrians and alert drivers to a crossing location, so it is important that both drivers and pedestrians clearly see the crossings.

The Fiji Roads Authority has the duty of care to maintain such the infrastructure to ensure our roads are safe to use.

There are other pedestrian crossing in the Suva area that needs immediate attention.

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It is truly unpatriotic, annoying and most troubling, the nation’s monopolistic supplier of energy, in the face of huge reported profit of $58million in 2022, still persists in its demands for a massive 32% increase in their tariffs. This is absurd.

As the “little voice” for many hundred thousand “silent majority” of domestic consumers, including those hundreds struggling in business, I am somewhat amazed, our town and city chambers of commerce and industry, remain “deafenlingly” quiet.

Equally so, our town and city councils have not uttered a word in support of all struggling residents and businesses.

Do I stand corrected, or is there an inadvertent oversight, on my part?

The Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association CEO is congratulated for her powerful voice and stand to object any increase in tariff. I thank you sincerely.

Government must open doors to all those who are able to afford green, clean and alternate sources of renewable energy i.e. solar as opposed to fossil fuel.

Government needs to immediately find an urgent solution to facilitate Nabou Green Energy in their massive $90 million investment. Were they initially “hood-winked” in the “supposed promise” of preferred timber fuel to activate their plants in Nabou near Nadi?

This is a huge grey area which needs to be exposed. I will stand corrected, in the national interest. This huge foreign investment needs help and protection with some urgency, in my view.

Their reported $90 million investment cannot be ignored or taken for granted.

Has Nabou Green Energy near Nadi been unfairly treated? Their contribution will definitely ease annoying outages in both Sigatoka and Nadi. Nadi being the “tourism capital” of Fiji, without doubt, as Denarau boasts some unprecedented 3,000 upmarket resort rooms and apartments, a modern port of entry for numerous super-yachts; home for South Sea Cruises of Fijian Holdings fame; array of top class shops, golf and tennis.

EFL definitely needs competition. Competition is healthy. Monopolistic protection can breed complacency, in my humble view, in national interests.

Ongoing monopoly does not work in favour of all who are struggling to survive these challenging times.

EFL has a track record with numerous unplanned power cuts.

This speaks volumes. How many disagree with me? (Martintar Nadi had two annoying outages as recent as Saturday, Sept 23, 2023).

If national carrier, Fiji Airways can proudly survive much competition from bigger carriers like Air NZ, Qantas, JetStar, Virgin Australia, then EFL needs this exposure.

Fiji Parliament needs some healthy deliberation in the national interest in reliable and consistent energy supply.

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The stallions retained the Farebrother Cup after holding the Suva City side to 15-all draw.

Match contested strongly, whole bunch of boys played their hearts out for more than 80 minutes.

The fitness level was up to par and both sides had a do or die attitude.

It’s good to see the trophy is kept in the western soil for another week.

Nadroga should be prepared when the Flying Jet, lands at Lawaqa Park stadium in Sigatoka. Anyways once again I would heartily thanks the boys from Nadroga for keeping us the Farebrother Trophy.

Salute you boys!

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The revelation about the $900m loss by the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) on the four sugar mills upgrades by an Indian company and money owing to Exim bank of India needs a thorough investigation .

It looks like one of the biggest scams in Fiji.

I would be very grateful if the former finance minister or the former sugar minister let us know if these revelations are true.

No wonder the price of sugar was increased.

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Our sincere commisserations go to the Australian Wallabies after they suffered a massive 6-40 humiliation at the hands of the Welsh juggernauts in the Rugby World Cup pool game. Congratulations Wales. What a win!

Take a bow. To our critic from Down Under, the ‘grog dopeys’ are smiling.

The Wallabies’ loss just gave OUR FIJI WATER Flying Fijians a clearer pathway into the next stages. Not too bad for Tier Two minnows.

A shout-out to English referee, Wayne Barnes, for the sterling officiating. Vakarau tiko Viti. Georgia is next.

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Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC) national secretary Felix Antony’s anticipation of National Minimum Wage (NMW) of $6- $7 per hour will be disastrous to the Textile Clothing & Footwear (TCF) Council of Fiji.

Imposed wage increases without any contribution towards productivity is counterproductive to any industry.

The TCF industry is already suffering from recently imposed local cost increases. Passing on these new additional costs to our export customers will destroy Fiji industry to compete internationally.

This proposed 50 per cent NMW increase challenges the industry with other recently imposed increased costs including a recent 48 per cent NMW increase, increased FNPF employer contribution, a new three per cent tariff on raw materials and increase of company tax by five per cent. Factories will have but one option which is to focus on exit strategy.

Our industry employs over 7000 workers of which 80 per cent are women.

Most do not hold professional qualifications.

The TCF industry needs to be consulted well before taking any steps towards wages increases.

The TCF industry needs to be nurtured and protected and not destroyed. Increasing manufacturing in Fiji is a National strategic goal to diversify the economic base.

The proposal to increase NMW by another 50 per cent will soon eliminate manufacturing from Fiji altogether.

At many instances the TCF industry has explained why the declining employment from 20,000, 20 years ago to now only 7000 was due to similar imposed cost increases without any productivity offsetting making Fiji less competitive.

This proposal now under consideration will certainly be another nail in the coffin.

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