Dirt clouds of Fiji
Axel C. Mehling, Nacovi
With the cane harvesting season coming up – and the fact that Fiji this year made history by ratifying the Paris UN Climate Change Agreement, thus being a beacon and a showpiece in the South Pacific and the world for the protection and care of nature, the environment including the quality of air, water etc.
The question that must be asked is: What are now the concrete policies and guidelines for our sugar cane growers?
Additionally:
- a) Is the burning of cane fields still allowed? Before and/or after the harvest?
- b) Does the cane farmer need permission in each case from the Sugar Cane Growers Council?
- c) Who monitors the ‘burning’ – are the Fire Fighting Authorities always in attendance?
- d) Who monitors and measures the effect of gases, sod and smoke on Fiji’s air quality?
- e) Will there be an ‘air quality warning system’ in place for the Western Division – e.g. like in Beijing, Jakarta?
- e) Is the SCG Council responsible and liable if things go wrong (e.g. if other plants, property gets burned) or when kids/people get sick from bad air (Asthma)?
What is the true environmental cost (also image-wise versus our tourists!) of massive burning and how do we explain it to the countries around the world – who thinks that Fiji is the immaculate leader and protector of the environment?
After Fiji’s stellar performance on the world stage and the signing – do we take a look into the mirror and change now our ways?
We must have the guts to talk about this now!
Taxi drivers
Senivesi Lutu, Labasa
Can taxi drivers reject to take you if you are going a short distance?
On Saturday 09/07/16, at around 1.40pm we approached a taxi at Nambawan Supermarket, Labasa, registration LT1802, we got in, there was four of us – three adults and a three-year-old girl, when we told the taxi to take us to Labasa College, he said we were overloading the cab and that only four people should be in a taxi.
Now my whole life there has been 4 adults and sometimes more than one child travelling in a taxi, but we still pass through Police or LTA check points if they are on patrol but on this day the taxi driver tells us that it’s overloaded.
So we walked to RB Patel Supermarket hoping to catch a taxi there. We approached the first taxi LT6142 at the taxi base at RB Patel, but he simply told us that he cannot go. We then approached another taxi SUNBIRD LT3858 who told us that he was waiting for his mother.
They both did not want to take us since we told them first-hand to take us to Labasa College. We waited for a while at RB Patel trying to monitor LT3858 since he said he was waiting for his mother. We got on another taxi and the driver was happy to take us to our destination.
Now what’s the point of having a Taxi permit if the driver only chooses his /her customers or which runs he/she will make?
A taxi is also a public vehicle to serve the public’s needs, so these three taxis do not deserve a place at the taxi stand?
Hayne announcement
Fulori Turaga, Suva
I was saddened to hear of Jarryd Hayne dropping out of the Vodafone Fijian 7s team to the Rio Olympics.
I was more saddened to know that it was Hayne himself who broke the news through social media. It makes me wonder if the Fiji Rugby Union, at any one point, was ever intending to publicly make this announcement.
Police statement
Viliame Gavoka, Nadroga
I am greatly disturbed with the statement by the Police on Saturday that homes in Navosa built from proceeds of illicit drugs will be demolished.
While I appreciate the work of the Police; and it’s true that the decree allows the authorities to administer such punishment; and also true that the vanua doesn’t condone the cultivation of illicit drugs, I plead that a more humane option be considered.
Perhaps those homes could be turned into dispensaries, kindergartens, libraries, meeting houses, community halls, guest houses for visitors or homes for the old and the weak.
Implementing these options will help strengthen the platform for advancement in Navosa which today is struggling with development. Bulldozing all those homes will definitely set us back. We should also consider the psychological impact of such punishment on the people, especially the children.
Most unfortunate
Joji Toronibaun, Tunuloa
While on an errand in my traditional abode I was adamant to also vouch for the concern of our people regarding the state of road infrastructures along the areas towards Buca Bay, legendarily known as the Hibiscus Highway, areas outside the peripheries of Savusavu Town and the Natewa stretch leading up to the Tunuloa side.
But I am still convinced that we the earthlings of this little stretch will soon be enjoying the same road transport utilities as enjoyed by almost everyone in Fiji.
This is especially the Natewa Bay side of Tunuloa from Wailevu Primary School to link up the Napuka Catholic Mission Secondary Government Road. For too long school children had to walk, wade and steaming across the seas for education, sick senior citizens to health clinics plus economic trading activities are quite difficult to face each day.
In addition to these, there is no television reception except if you can purchase Sky TV and no Vodafone/Digicel link as well.
We deservedly want Police presence as well on wheels at times to lessen illegal activities that I had witnessed recently on a Police raid in our area through ‘Operation Cavuraka’ perhaps.
Kai Rewa
Amenatave Yaconisau, Suva
The assurance of the Tui Noco that ancestors of the girmityas should call themselves kai Rewa is indeed a touching token.
‘Kai’ means belonging to or ‘eating or living from’ (kanakana or iqoliqoli). The reinforcing statement of the Marama Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa seals the matter.
I also agree with Mr Singh when he received the kamunaga (whales tooth) on behalf of the indentured ancestors that it was a sign of peace, progress and prosperity.
But in the preamble of the Constitution they are still being recognised as descendants of indentured laborers from British India.
I hope they will be included as members of mataqali and all the benefits accrued even with this matter in the Constitution which I think is very patronising.
Currently only offsprings of iTaukei women are included as mataqali members.
Be that as it may, these acts are signs of good relations between the iTaukei and the Indo-Fijian communities.
Maybe this is the way the world should really be. We need to take away the antipathies that drive people apart.
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj