News in brief
Defaulters warned
THE Lami Town Council is urging defaulting ratepayers to pay their arrears. Chief executive officer Preeya Ieli said failure to do so would force the council to advertise names of defaulters in the daily newspapers. Ms Ieli said all ratepayers who owed rates, business license and garbage fees were to pay their account as soon as possible or make suitable arrangements with the council.
Bus report public
THE report on the review of Fiji's bus industry will be made public, says Ministry of Transport spokeswoman Sainiana Waqainabete. UK-based Orion Consulting Associates revealed the buses in Fiji were generally safe but were old fashioned. The transport consultants, led by Paul Starkey and Dr Sion Haworth, worked closely with the Land Transport Authority, Ministry of Works and Transport, Fiji Bus Operators Association and other relevant authorities and organisations.
Cheap electricians
THE Consumer Council of Fiji received about six complaints this year on electricians not doing their work as expected. Council deputy chief executive officer Joshika Samujh said consumers should not hire electricians based on the cheap rate but must assess the quality based on qualification, experience and a proper valid licence from FEA. "Consumer council understands that this is challenging economic time for everyone but if consumers only look for cheap/ unqualified electricians then it's no point if the house gets burnt down," she said. The National Fire Authority said most fires this year were caused by electrical faults.
Town invite
NADI Town Council is inviting business holders, operators and members of the public to a participation exercise on increase in business license fee and charges. A notice from the special administrator, Aisea Tuidraki, said the public participation exercise would be held from 5pm to 10pm today at the Nadi Town Council civic centre.
School appeal
THE Fiji Muslim League launched an appeal to raise funds for the reconstruction of Lautoka Muslim Primary School which was destroyed by fire last week. In a public notice on Saturday, general secretary Abdul Hakim said contributions could be directly deposited into Fiji Muslim League Appeal Fund, account number 9802389131 at the Westpac Bank in Suva.
Drug suspect
A 50-YEAR-OLD man was questioned by police after he was found carrying 95 packets of dried leaves believed to be marijuana. The incident occurred in Nausori Town on Saturday. Assistant police spokesman Sergeant Atunaisa Sokomuri said the police drug unit searched the man after a tip off. Sgt Sokomuri said the man was questioned and released while the samples of dried leaves were sent to the Koronivia Research Station.
Community service
THE Kidney Foundation of Fiji's Dialysis Centre underwent a clean-up on Saturday by Hibiscus Festival contestants as part of their community service. Led by 2009 Hibiscus king Gary Rounds and 2008 Hibiscus queen Filo Tuivanulevu, the clean up crew scrubbed and cleaned the walls, window seals and drains around it.
Website launched
THE small micro tourism enterprises launched it website dedicated to their marketing over the weekend at the Tokatoka resort in Nadi. The setting up of the website was made possible through the community-based tourism sub program of the Integrated Human Resources Development Program hosted at the Ministry of Tourism. The website called www.fijibackpackeronline.com was launched with the purpose of assisting local Small Micro Tourism Enterprises (SMTE's) who do not have the resources and technology in their marketing and promotions.
New branch opened
MOBILE communication company Vodafone Fiji teamed up with Foneology to open a branch in Lautoka. Fiji Chamber of Commerce president Swani Maharaj said the setting up of a new centre in the Sugar city was the most welcoming news. He said it showed the companies' commitment to providing the best in mobile repairs to the people of Fiji. "Foneology operates in Suva, Nadi Nausori, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki and covers the outer island by means of post Fiji outlets and now has come to Lautoka," he said.
Ministry warns
WITH only three weeks left of the school term the Ministry of Education has adviced parents and teachers to ensure that students followed the school rules strictly. In a statement released last week the Ministry said there was no place for indiscipline in the school system and school Principals may suspend students if they continue to flout school rules. It said parents were also expected to reinforce school expectations at home thus the need for more quality family time.
Launch cancelled
THE Ministry of Health's walk to launch the Non-Communicable Disease on Saturday was cancelled. A message from the Ministry's NCD secretariat said the launch was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. However it is not known as to when the NCD week will be launched. This year the theme is focussed on Understanding diabetes and Taking control as this is the main type of NCD and everyone knows someone or has a friend or family member who was suffered from Diabetes.
New vehicles
THE Traffic Department of the Fiji Police Force now have four new vehicles to assist them in doing their duty. Assistant police spokesman Sergeant Atunaisa Sokomuri said the vehicles were donated by the Asian Development Bank through the National Road and Safety Council. Sgt Sokomuri said the new vehicles will enable officers of department to effectively carry put their duties and responsibilities. Traffic director Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mahesh Mishra said that all traffic officers should ensure the vehicles are used appropriately because with it comes a big responsibility in terms of its care and maintenance.
Private probe
THE Transport ministry has brought in private investigators to relook at the Maritime Board's initial investigation report into the sinking of the MV Bawaqa. Ministry spokeswoman Sainiana Waqainabete confirmed that private investigators were called in to relook at the report. "We have not received any further. We are just waiting for the investigators to complete their findings then we will see from there," she said. The vessel Bawaqa ran a ground on September 14th off the reefs of Viwa Island in the Yasawas.
Home fundraising
A FUNDRAISING event for the Golden Age Home was held at the Fiji Institute of Technology's School of Art Campus on Saturday evening. The money raised through the event will be used by the Soroptimist International Lautoka branch in refurbishing of the Golden Age Home formerly known as the Natabua Old People's Home. SI Lautoka representative Sarojini Harris said they had sold a raffle tickets which would be drawn in Lautoka on November 14 and they were expecting to raise $15,000 from the sales.
The cultural and fashion show held at the FIT Raiwai Campus on Saturday night included traditional Indian dances from cultural groups and singing.
School fires
THE National Fire Authority has urged all schools to comply with the fire safety standards. This is after after the NFA attended to a fire incident, the second involving a school, on Friday afternoon which destroyed three classrooms and a staff room at Votualevu Public Primary School in Nadi. NFA acting chief Fire Officer Tupou Saubulinayau said they would investigate schools' preparedness to deal with a fire.
Blood drive
FORTY-SEVEN pints of blood were collected during a blood drive over the weekend in Lautoka. West blood bank manager Jaynesh Narayan said they were happy with the response. He said supply levels at the Lautoka Hospital were low.
Film festival
THE Fiji Film Festival will be launched at the Fiji Institute of Technology's Raiwai Campus today. FIT director Dr Ganesh Chand said the festival would showcase feature films, short feature films, documentaries, corporate/promotional films, travelogue and music videos produced by residents and former residents of Fiji. It will end on Friday November 20.
Helping children
THE Foundation for the Education of Needy Children in Fiji hopes to help students who miss out on educational assistance from Social Welfare and other charitable organisations. Loraine Tevi who is a member of the organisation said they were getting statistics from the organisations on the number of students who needed help with fees, bus fare and other school-related needs. Ms Tevi said this was part of the recommendation in the People's Charter to reduce the number of drop outs.
Pacific leadership
THE University of the South Pacific will host the Pacific Leadership Development Network's third consultative meeting tomorrow. Leadership Development Program c-oordinator Hamidan Bibi said the meeting was a follow up to that held over two years with various stakeholders that looked at traditional Pacific leadership.
Ms Bibi said the two-day meeting at the School of Government and International Affairs at USP would bring together individuals and organisations involved in leadership development, research and training initiatives.
Veilomani's day
VEILOMANI Boys Home and Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centre will celebrate its 34 annual open day from November 12-15. Superintendent Reverend Sarwesh Kumar Singh said the home was operated by the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma and looked after 12 young people. Mr Singh said Government gave $25,000 of its $70,000 annual operating budget.
Villagers hailed
POLICE in Korovou in Tailevu have acknowledged the village elders, parents and all residents of Vorovoro Village in the interior of Dawasamu for a clean police record. Senior police officer Marika Yalimaiwai said Vorovoro Village did not have any criminal record. He said the villagers must be acknowledged as this showed the existence of the culture of humility and respect, which indigenous Fijians were renowned for.
Presidential tour
THE President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, arrived in Labasa yesterday to start his official tour of the Northern Division. Divisional Planning Officer Ratu Eliki Tikoidraubuta said the President would visit a wide range of projects and communities during his week-long stay in the division. Some of his more prominent engagements include opening the Macuata Provincial Council meeting where he is expected to be accorded a traditional welcome by provincial chiefs on November 12. The official tour begins today.
Murder charges
POLICE are expected to make charges known in the case where 35-year-old Rajeshni Sharma was found dead at her home in Howell Road, Suva, on Tuesday last week. Police operations deputy director Superintendent Erami Raibe said they had some leads into the case and charges would be made soon. The victim was found dead at her home by her partner. The post-mortem examination showed she died of strangulation.
