Opposition parties
Viliame Gavoka,
Nadroga
Tukai Lagonilakeba and Simon Hazelman have somehow convinced themselves that SODELPA is heading towards oblivion.
Nothing could be further from the truth. One should remember that the 2014 general election was projected by pundits to be a 50-nil thumping of all political parties. But, it came out as 32-18, and with only four months of campaigning by the Opposition parties.
Now, with four years to work with, what makes the two gentlemen believe that we cannot get another eight seats, and thereby, rule?
Perhaps they believe that everyone is a ‘die hard’ supporter of the ruling party, but that is not true as many are ‘swing voters’, and could go the way of SODELPA and NFP in sufficient numbers, to form a new government.
Bring back TBN
Josaia Rayawa,
Savusavu
As a Sky TV customer, I seek clarification from Digicel Sky as to why the TBN channel has been replaced by ‘Paramount Pictures’.
All these old rerun movies, we already have and frankly speaking, they don’t add any value to our lives. Why don’t they remove one of their other useless channels, if Paramount is there to stay and put TBN back on instead.
TBN is the single most influential Christian TV channel representing a broad-based selection of almost all major Christian denomination across the globe, majority of whom are represented in Fiji. I am only highlighting this because it has a very active viewing audience in Fiji.
Even from a commercial standpoint, I cannot understand why Digicel does not take this into consideration.
For me, TBN is one of the only two reasons I have Sky. The other is CNN to keep track with world news. If Digicel is serious about making a real difference in the lives of people in Fiji, then keep TBN on air.
Impatient drivers!
Herlene Kumar,
Nadi
With the ongoing news of buses being overloaded with passengers, there is another issue that I wish to highlight.
While a passenger(s) is or are boarding a bus, the drivers are too quick to take off leaving the passenger(s) to stumble their way to their seat.
In the process, passengers lose their balance and end up falling. Aren’t these drivers taught the virtues of being patient?
I have experienced this myself and I am sure other passengers as well. When I did stumble, the other passengers started laughing and I believe that is one reason why the bus drivers continue to do the same thing.
If the public stopped boarding buses, how will these drivers get their source of income?
Coming back to the way the passengers reacted to me stumbling, it just shows they too were inconsiderate.
Vodafone gift
Kiniviliame Pai Koroi,
Suva
The Bainimarama FijiFirst Government will be spending $2.6million in the upcoming Crusaders-Chiefs Super Rugby match on July 1, and another $9m for the Fijian International Golf Tournament in October.
At the same time, the FijiFirst Government through the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) and Vodafone paid a mere $75,000 to our national 7s rugby team after winning the 2015/2016 World Sevens Series title. This will be shared by the 30-odd players and officials. Where is the justice here?
To add salt to the wound, multi-million dollar shopping chains provide (cheap) $100 shopping vouchers plus Samsung packs from Vodafone and return flights by Fiji Airways to any of its destinations.
What these major players including the Government, FRU, Vodafone and Fiji Airways should remember is how much they have benefitted from the sporting and ambassadorial achievements and international publicity of our 7s team, directly and indirectly. Have they been fair to our 7s heroes, their families and our country?
Our national 7s rugby team’s achievement is more important to all Fijians then the Super Rugby match between Crusaders and Chiefs, and the Fijian International Golf Tournament at Natadola.
These proposed events should be immediately reviewed, and in the national interest of all Fijians it should be scrapped.
The funds dedicated to these extravagances should be directed to providing fair and just rewards for our 7s heroes, provide incentives and rewards for medal recipients at the Olympic Games in Rio, and improve and establish priority facilities. I believe the management and players of the Chiefs and Crusaders, and international golfers will understand, and will appreciate what our genuine priorities should be.
I look forward to some drastic improvements before we send our young sports people to the Rio Olympics. I also look forward to more views on this subject.
New Fiji Flag
Frank B Shaw,
Lami
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has done more for Fiji than any other Fijian leader in the past.
He is indeed a beacon of hope not only for the present generation, but also for the future of our beloved country.
A new flag will only tarnish his impeccable record as Prime Minister and champion of the poor. It will also set a dangerous precedent. A new Prime Minister may wish to change the flag again in the future. (Actually the National Flag should not be changed without the approval of at least 75 per cent of the electorate).
Normally a flag is designed and used as a symbol of a people fighting for their freedom and identity, for example, the natives of West Papua, Aborigines in Australia, etc. We have our freedom and our identity, so there is nothing to fight for.
England is part of our history and our heritage. It was the missionaries from England who converted the Fijians from a savage state into a docile and peaceful people.
The English also saved the Fijian race from intimation from the measles epidemic and other diseases (not to mention from the Americans).
In this regard it might be worth noting the words of Churchill, ‘The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you can see.’
To remove the Union Jack from our flag would be the height of ingratitude. In any case what would we gain?
Will it reduce the cost of living?
So I ask Government to please reconsider its decision to change the Fiji flag.
Taxi and accents
Floyd Robinson,
Nasinu
If there is a search for local actors then taxi drivers in Nadi should be included.
Having stayed in Nadi recently, I encountered several drivers who not only offered transportation, but came up suddenly with a wide range of accents including the Australian, the Kiwi and English accent.
Some had some funny kind of accent. Ironically, upon noticing that they were talking to a local, their accent went back to normal.
LTA Savusavu
Simon Hazelman,
Savusavu
Of all the locations to have their office, LTA choose a spot along our one main town street.
The authority that is supposed to promote land transportation safety causes continuous traffic congestion in front of their Savusavu office.
Their work of conducting driving tests and motor vehicle inspections is carried out from this very spot and it is turning out to be a daily nuisance.
The industrial area in Naqere has several vacant spots that would suit LTA perfectly.
I’m amused that senior LTA officials don’t see the problem?
Bridge saga
Tukai Lagonilakeba,
Nadi
The Tamavua-i-Wai bridge saga is a total inconvenience to Fijian commuters every day.
I was also subjected to this on Tuesday and it took me one hour and 15 minutes from the Nadi end of the Suvavou bridge to cross the Tamavua-i-Wai bridge. This is absurd! And I was late to my meeting and very upset, but what about the everyday travelers?
As far as I am concerned Rory Garland, the CEO of Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), and Naisa Tuinaceva, CEO of the Land Transport Authority (LTA) should both be blamed for sleeping on the job.
The duty of care rests solely on both of them to police the upkeep and maintenance of our roads.
Both men don’t get a hefty $100k+pay to sleep at the wheel, and realistically they should come up with a quick fix, get a temporary bailey bridge done up to solve the traffic congestion.
The LTA boss is just as equally responsible for his collection of our road levies.
Donald Trump would have immediately said to both of them, “You are fired”, because he does not believe in one’s nonsense and negativity. He believes in what you can positively do about a situation in finding a solution and rightly so.
Please, also watch out for the Suvavou bridge, it has long shown signs of neglect.
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj