Littering
Hans B. Boernke, Savusavu
Again we read in the dailies what mess people leave behind after an official function.
It seems to me that stopping littering is almost impossible, but at least we can minimise it and try and try, and never give up.
People usually are fed up of being told what to do in a way of “don’t do this, don’t do that” and then threatened with a hefty fine.
Anti litter signs are no different and the latest from the Ministry of Environment speaks for itself. It reads: “Do the right thing, put the rubbish in the bin” and then threatens with a hefty fine.
A more positive approach might work better so I searched online for an alternative.
The one I have attached (see top photo) starts with a nice “thank you” so I gave some copies to our town council for distribution.
I wonder if the Fiji Sun can find some “empty” corners on a few pages and invite people to take part this way.
Underground cabling
Arien V Kumar, Nadi
Apart from the Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) or Ministry of Infrastructure, probably nobody knows or could give the actual cost of repairing the power lines damaged by Cyclone Winston.
Our nation and FEA suffered a huge loss trying to fix the damaged power lines, posts, transformers, etc.
FEA workers, sub-contractors and many had to work day and night to get the nation and its people out of the darkness caused by Winston. Perhaps some are still in the dark and waiting.
What if another natural monster, like Winston (Category 4 or 5), enters Fijian waters and land next year or after?
Are we prepared enough to stand, survive or sustain the loss again? Millions and millions?
Will our neighbours (other nations) once again show the same love, support and mercy?
The time has come for us and our nation to be proactive.
Therefore “Underground Cabling” is the best solution.
A number of roads are under construction or going through major maintenance, so now is the best time FEA should start laying its cable underground.
Hope it’s done in Namaka – Martintar with the four-lane road.
If we cry that it’s a costly affair as we are still struggling to survive the blow from Winston, then we should laugh loud come another Category Five cyclone next year.
Digicel’s set top box
Bob Kishore, Nakasi
First it was a procurement of the Sky Pacific with lots of promises. Then came the increase in subscriptions which will now be pre 9 per cent VAT price.
Where is the reduction in VAT as per the Government’s new budget announcement? Now comes the new set top box at a cost of $149 for existing customers.
This, for even those who are customers of Sky Pacific since its establishment.
I luminously remember when Sky Pacific announced the change of the set top box. We were all told to come in with our old set top boxes and exchange it with a new one, and that too “FREE OF CHARGE”.
During Sky Pacific’s era, new connection was a merely $99 with two months free subscription, however now its $199 plus another $49.95 for new connections.
I lodged a complaint back in March for interrupted service, nothing and no one to the rescue till now, but payment was demanded via phone calls and email bills. I think I have already paid the $149.00 without even viewing in the last months. What do I do now, beg, borrow or steal?
One thing is for sure, ‘One who handles the rope knows for sure where, how and when to graze the cow because they very well know that milk is in great demand’.
Baby holders will eventually buy.
Sand dunes fitness
Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Canada
Our Fiji national soccer team lost 8-0 to Korea Republic in their first pool game at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games.
It was 1-0 at half time and the second half is where the Fiji team’s stamina, fitness and concentration was tested.
Up next is Mexico and Germany, two soccer crazy countries and I do hope our boys will keep the score at bay.
Reading the news report kind of reminded me of the Sigatoka sand dunes; our Fiji teams should make use of this natural training ground to lift their fitness levels, just like our Vodafone Fiji 7s players.
We all know that when we get puffed out, our performance and concentration level drops.
It is our first performance in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics and the lesson we should learn is that at that level of competition.
A sand dune fitness is required, on top of all our individual skills and brilliance.
Scholarships
Tukai Lagonilakeba, Nadi
Our many young Fijian children have now materialised with their childhood dreams to further their respective desires in fields they most likely will excel in.
Many of these programmes are not available here and are just simply unaffordable to a simple Fijian family, which most of these kids come from.
I do hope that our education reformist, Mahendra Reddy, can look into these specialised areas and introduce it here at the Fiji National University (FNU) to complement the Avionics and Aircraft Engineering programme already on offer at the Namaka Campus.
These children have passed their Year 7 results with exceptional marks to qualify themselves for five years in the 12 only places offered by the Chinese government for scholarships to study in some of the world’s biggest and better well known specialised universities.
Our future generations will all benefit from these bilateral agreements with China. They will all become great productive Fijians in whatever career path they choose which our country will no doubt benefit from.
China is a world authority in the fast changing world of technology one can name and our children are very fortunate to be eligible on this excellent opportunity on offer.
This is a credit to all their lovely parents for the great upbringing and excellent parenting roles they have played, very proud parents indeed from the fruits of their sacrifice and labour. I do hope this will motivate other parents and our progressing school children to excel and challenge themselves irrespective of which school you attend.
Thank you to the FijiFirst government and its leader, Voreqe Bainimarama, for maintaining and respecting the friendship and sovereignty of China. They are indeed a true and great ally.
China, Japan, Russia, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Suid Africa, France, South Korea and the UAE States are some of Fiji’s best friends that have a lot to offer to our young democracy and its development.
Don’t forget to say vinaka vakalevu to both our great neighbours and enemies on the rugby paddock in the NZ and Australian government too for their many wonderful contributions to Fiji, past and present.
Football
Amrita Sharma, Nasinu
Congrats and hats off to South Korean football team and nothing can be taken away from our boys. We are the lucky ones to be part of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
We and the boys will enjoy and have the feel of professional football on New Zealand administrative blunder. Go, Fiji go!
Fiji football
Ashneel J Prasad, New Zealand
To whoever said Fiji soccer is improving, well, South Korea just proved you wrong.
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj