Local News inbrief
Rate warning
THE Nasinu Town Council says it will take its ratepayers to court if they do not pay up their arrears. Nasinu special administrator Meli Bogileka said the council was owed $8million in rates. Mr Bogileka said two weeks ago the council advertised the names of those who had not paid their town rates, asking them to pay up. He said ratepayers do not clear their debts, the council would take them to court. "It is detrimental to the work of the council because we do not get any financial assistance from the government and our income is mainly derived from the rates which the people pay the council," he said.
Colonel recalled
FIJI's permanent representative to the United Nations, Colonel Mason Smith, will be recalled to the country as the new Commissioner Western. Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, Pio Tikoduadua, said that Col Smith's return was part of the State's realignment of divisional administration. Mr Tikoduadua, who was initially named to replace outgoing Commissioner Western Joeli Rokovada, said that since he was posted to the Prime Minister's Office, Col Smith was the likely candidate to replace him.
Quality produce
FARMERS have been urged to focus on producing quality produce to maintain exports and minimise rejects. Senior agriculture officer for Nadroga/ Navosa Govind Raju said farmers should adhere to recommended practices to minismise the level of rejects for exports. "Majority of the farmers in Sigatoka have been in export business over a period of time but still some of their crops are being rejected," Mr Raju said. He said crops are rejected due to poor quality and poor handling of the produce after harvest.
UN appointment
THE United Nations Populations Fund Pacific Sub-Regional office in Suva has a new director and representative. United Nations veteran Dirk Jena took up his new position this week as the director and representative of the UNFPA Pacific Sub-Regional Office based in Suva. Mr Jena succeeds Najib Assifi who took up the role of UNFPA Regional Deputy Director Asia Pacific, based in Bangkok. Mr Jena, who has a career spanning more than 20 years in the UN, is no stranger to the Pacific. Twenty years ago he worked in the region for another UN agency, the International Labour Organization, which is also based in Suva.
Absent lawyer
STANLEY Sudhakar, who is charged with the murder of his mother, appeared at the High Court in Suva on Friday where his case was adjourned because his lawyer was not present. The alleged murder took place on May 4, 2008, and the 32-year-old was charged even though the post mortem revealed his mother died of a heart attack. Ms Agnus Kumar, 55, was found dead in a pool of blood at her home at Rewa Street. Sudhakar is also facing a drug charge in the magistrates court after police allegedly discovered the marijuana hidden at his house while investigating the murder of his mother.
