Data Bureau
Nardeo Mishra, Nasinu
The Minister for Industry and Trade, Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, said the truth about the Data Bureau in his press statement.
I quote: “For more than a decade ordinary Fijians have been suffering at the hands of the only credit reporting agency in Fiji which is the Data Bureau which has not undertaken proper verification of the information provided to them nor has in place any credible system to correct their information.”
This was long overdue and I know there are a lot of us including me who have been the victims of Data Bureau.
Ever since they started their operations in Fiji they have just collected the information but never tried to confirm it with the people concerned and also the data they have is almost 20 years old.
If I am not wrong our laws do not allow you to hold any more data after seven years which the Bureau failed to follow.
Thank you Minister Koya, and the Government for your concern for the ordinary Fijians.
Data Bureau
Ravin Lal, Nausori
Thank you Mrs Kumar, of the Consumer Council, for highlighting the problems with the Data Bureau information system.
It is good now that there are going to be easier ways ordinary people can get their problems fixed quicker.
I support the motion.
Wrong number
Atelaite Senibua, Suva
For a good number of years my Private home has been a “call center” because Patterson Shipping Customers have queries.
However, there is one problem, my home is NOT the Patterson Shipping Office!
I have expressed my disappointment and have lodged several complains with the Telecom Fiji Limited but my efforts have all been in vain.
They told me that they would correct the contact details when the 2016 Directory was going to be published, but it’s almost mid-2016 and there still hasn’t been any changes made.
I am frequently disturbed with the calls I get and my response to those calls would be “Sorry, this is not Patterson shipping. The number in the Directory is wrong.”
Now I question how TFL handles its customer complaints and what procedures do they actually follow to ensure that their customers are content with their services.
I plead with TFL to review this issue and hopefully solve this confusion.
Lastly, to all Readers, Patterson Shipping’s correct number is 3315644 and NOT 3315483 !
GCC claim
Timoci Gaunavinaka, Nausori
To claim that the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) should be re-instated because it is the representative of iTaukei landowners is false.
A huge number of mataqali who own huge portions of native land in Fiji have no direct representative or voice in the GCC.
The three heads of the three confederacies who are supposed to be the three highest ranking chiefs in the GCC have insignificant registered landownership compared to many mataqali who are non-members of the GCC.
- The Vunivalu na Tui Kaba from the island of Bau (Kubuna);
- The Roko Tui Dreketi from a portion of the Rewa delta (Burebasaga); and
- The Tui Cakau from the small island of Taveuni (Tovata).
There are bigger landowners from the province of Ba, Nadroga, Naitasiri, Macuata, Bua and Ra who own extensive areas of land registered and demarcated by the Native Land and Fisheries Commission but who were not members of the GCC or were members but of a much lower ranking than the three listed above.
Today, landowners receive a fair share of their lease money and can apply direct to Government for assistance to develop their own land.
They now recieve money for any minerals extracted beneath their land which no past governments, GCC or constitutions allowed. Ownership of iTaukei land will now remain forever in the hands of the iTaukei and can never be transferred to freehold like what the SDL government did.
The GCC itself is a symbol of elitism and racism.
It gives the iTaukei people a false belief that this country belongs to us and no other races and we are therefore superior and have more rights than others.
This leads some to look down at other races calling them names like “kaisi” or “weed” in Parliament.
We have seen how such arrogance triggers the coups of 1987 and 2000 when we forcefully took power after losing the election.
We have also seen the path to corruption, greed, bankruptcy and disunity the GCC and previous iTaukei-dominated governments took us to in their aftermath.
Today, the people of Fiji have opened their eyes and given their mandate loud and clear in the last election.
Your whole-hearted conviction, faiths, respect and belief in the GCC will not matter if the voters think otherwise. That is democracy.
Tobacco offenders
Neelz Singh, Lami
Illegal sale of tobacco by shop vendors without proper licencee or selling tobacco in single rolls offences have increased in recent months.
The blame game has begun; it seems enforcers are not available when needed. There are many smoke-free zones where people are found smoking with no sign of fear.
The Minister for Health says the ministry will not tolerate tobacco-related offences and offenders will be taken to task. We will believe this when we see some offenders being put to task by Law.
The use of technology and CCTV can help stop corruption and promote a smoke- free environment.
O’Neill denial
Amenatave Yaconisau , Delainavesi
The evasive denial of Peter O’Neill to respond to the wishes of PNG students to put him through corruption charges seems to be frustrating the wishes of the majority (FS 29/4/16; PACNEWS)
The investigative powers and independence of the corruption unit is of great importance and no one should be above the law through special treatment when others have been arrested and charged already.
He should be able to explain and defend himself against the allegation(s). He paints a picture of despitefulness and is unconcerned about the grievances of his people and the need to stand up to justice. He should not remain undeterred amidst calls to follow the law.
It certainly looks dictatorial to me if he is not treating the allegation with urgency. The authority and independence of the judiciary should not crumble under the influence of more powerful elites in the system, who support undemocratic orientations.
Public protection
Tukai Lagonilakeba, Nadi
Daniel Urai’s letter in the other newspaper of May 02 titled, ‘Public Protection’, explains his bitterness and his non-acceptance of our civilian FijiFirst Voreqe Bainimarama-led Government.
This is almost two years after the September 2014 elections.
Dan will never accept this caring Government for all Fijians including all his Solomon Islanders families who dwell throughout Fiji.
But they can now all proudly call themselves Fijians under our world-acclaimed 2013 Constitution including any other benefits they may derive as entitlements from our Government under its FijiFirst political party blueprint or manifesto.
This bloke is one of the biggest union jokers in our country.
He still claims we have a military government in place whilst all other sensible union movements in the country are in acceptance and collaborating with our civilian Government in recognising its official legitimate status.
But Urai should be the least worried about being protected under our 2013 Constitution because the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) and the Fiji Police Force are two totally separate constitutionally independent institutions that comes under the able leadership of the RFMF, Commander, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto, and Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho.
They report to our Minister for Defence and Immigration, Timoci Lesi Natuva, which is the usual practice with past governments, including Dan Urai’s failed 1999 Chaudhry-led Labour government.
To refresh his memory this is a government mandated by the people, from the people and to the people including his very own families for as long as they are Fijians.
Lest Dan Urai is worried sick about his security concerns, I would recommend he visit our head of Government business Commissioner Western Manasa Tagicakibau or the Divisional Police Commander West, SSP Marika Yalimaiwai, who will gladly avail themselves to facilitate his security issues.
Power cuts reaction
Wise Muavono , Lautoka
“These regular unplanned power cuts are becoming ridiculous,” says my fridge.
“It is indeed, and to make it worse I get sworn at,” replies my TV.
Exposed teacher
Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Canada
With all due respect, I believe the Minister of Education, Heritage and Arts has gone overboard if he wants to involve his ministry in the investigation of a teacher who is said to have posted semi nude pictures of herself on social media. (FS 3/5)
I thought that what an employee does outside of his/her working hours are their business, unless of course, if they have signed an agreement, that no unacceptable behavior is expected from them, during and outside of working hours.
What if someone else had posted the picture, or it is someone who looks like her or just a plain fake job?
Will the picture affect the students in their school work or her in her teaching profession?
Readers may question why I am concerned about this case as it was brought up by parents and teachers.
If the Ministry of Education disciplines her for posting semi nude pictures of herself on social media, then Big Brother is alive and we are in danger of losing our constitutional rights and freedom.