Nadi arrivals
Edwin Sandys, Suva
This is a common problem which I have seen on too many occasions at the International Arrival Area at the airport in Nadi.
On Sunday July 24, 2016 I was standing at the car park beside the pedestrian crossing and a young lady pushing a trolley full of cases across the road to a car park via crossing.
At the centre of the road the trolley got stuck so I rushed across to the centre to help the lady get it on to the other road and then cross the road to get to the car park.
The lady had a big smile and a big thank you which made my day. Following closely behind her was a young man with a blue Tee-shirt and the name Initial on it. He did not move an inch to assist but followed her to take the trolley back to the other side.
Then I witnessed another older woman struggling with her two large suitcases from the arrival lounge across the two roads to reach the car park.
Again there were close to five Initial employees standing around at the arrival lounge busy talking.
These were visitors to this beloved country of ours. It is understandable renovations are being carried out and surely the authorities should seriously consider having porters to assist the tourist to the car park for hotel transfers.
Is this not part of the Initial employees job description or are they just hired to collect the trolleys?
I can clearly recall before there were employees there to assist our visitors with their trolleys get to the car park.
It also happens to visitors who have arranged their own transport having to lug their luggage to the middle of the road, or across the other lane to the car park.
The authorities should seriously consider allowing an area where the vehicles are permitted in to load and move out. They should follow the Nausori Airport example as it works perfectly.
All the airport taxis parked to one side, controlled by security and only a couple, right outside the arrival lounge and called as requested.
Any other vehicles are only allowed in to load when their passengers have arrived and ready go. No parking and waiting.
CAAFI or ATS whoever is responsible, we have a responsibility to look after our visitors arriving. A first impression is a lasting one and I can assure having to push a trolley full of suitcases from the arrival lounge to either the centre or the car park is not giving our overseas visitors a very good first impression.
I ask whoever is responsible to please address this issue as I see it almost every time (which is often) I am at our international airport.
We need to lift our standard to the Way the World should be.
Uncivil servants
Arun Prasad, Nausori
I wish to express my views on your front page report [F S 28/7].
I believe that majority of the government workers are performing true to the words “Civil Servant.”
There are some who are tarnishing the good image by being “uncivil servant.”
Believe me, when the Civil Servants, or any customer services officer for that matter, walk up to the counter to serve, it makes us feel happy.
Even, if we cannot achieve the aim of the visit.
Reading how the poor old lady [she can’t be lying] and how the cane lorry drivers were treated in the North really saddened me.
I could not read further as my vision became hazy.
Teenage pregnancy
Neelz Singh, Lami
How can we address and combat teenage pregnancies?
There has been a 5 per cent increase recorded in teenage pregnancies and the number is growing since last year.
Such cases seen in teens and youths are being sexually active and are unaware of safe sex and the use of contraceptives.
Do you think sex education awareness programme can be some sort of alternative to decrease such issues?
What other means of techniques can be used as tools in the education sector to combat teenage pregnancies?
PM and party
Sukha Singh, Labasa
I have never seen a bigger crowd at the Labasa Civic Centre than yesterday 27/7/16 where the Prime Minister, A-G and other ministers were going to talk on the new sugar bills.
I think the next time we will have to use the Subrail Park. The best thing I liked when the PM said: “I made you all Fijians”. I have never seen any other Government come to the people like this.
The Prime Minister has some kind of magnetism that pulls the people and I hope other parties start coming to the people too if they want to retain their seats.
Spiritual mirror
Lawrence H Narayan, Suva
Licences give people permission to do something that would otherwise be forbidden.
In the Christian circles, the most common response by some law keeping Christians to Grace, “Is grace a license to sin?” Apostle Paul responds to this question in Romans chapter 6: “…God forbid.”
Grace never gives permission (license) to sin. Instead, it gives us the ability to live holy lives and live godly, soberly, and righteously in Christ (Titus 2:12).
What would then stop Christians from harming or even killing their own children? Is it
- Law of the land?
- God’s Law? or
iii. Compassionate love for own flesh and blood?
It is a known fact that people are quick to protect their own children but would have little care for others.
Besides, the perfect man, Adam in his primitive state of innocence was endowed with ability to keep the whole moral law.
He had righteousness, sanctity of will, and perfection of power. He had the copy of God’s law written on his heart, yet he sinned.
The Bible also states that God’s Law does not save anyone rather it was intended to show us what sin is and that we are guilty of it. It is like a mirror, it can show us that we are dirty but it cannot make us clean.
Cleansing from sin is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:20).
Bus service
Tomasi Boginiso, Nasinu
Very surprising to hear the Nair Transport Co Ltd company director complaining about complaints from the public.
If he is not seeing the problem or communicating with his drivers, then there is something wrong.
If you are at the Suva Bus Station and looking at all the bus conditions, the bus that operates that Waibuku Road is always the worse bus with its appearance.
And with the bus garage and office located on the entry of this road it could not be easily ignored.
We have seen their buses and we are behind the people of Waibuku Road in fighting for their right.
Pick me up sauce
Joe Smith, Pacific Harbour
This locally filled sauce with the same NZ-made label is too watery, weak and tastes lighter than what we had experienced overseas.
Could Consumer Council of Fiji look into this, please?
Self defence classes
Siddharth Prasad, Suva
As the Vodafone Hibiscus festival looms near, a particular contestant caught my attention with her topic.
Hats off to Sheenal Swastika (FS/24/07/16) for bringing up self defence as a solution to the ever growing cases of abuse, murder, robbery and the like. With your mention of it as a spark, I hope that it will ignite the minds of many to take up this initiative.
We live in a morally-challenged society where our women and children are no longer safe.
Most of the perpetrators are not strangers, but close family members of the victims themselves. How then can our loved ones be safe?
Being a martial arts enthusiast and student, I have learnt that it trains the body and mind; the body for fitness and how to defend one’s self in times of danger and the mind for discipline at all times.
That really is so much needed today. That may be our last resort.
Once again kudos to Ms Sheenal Swastika. You definitely have my vote for Queen.
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj