Local News in Brief
Australian aid
AUSTRALIA is giving $172,454 in assistance to help in cyclone rehabilitation work. Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Canberra was concerned for the welfare of those affected by Cyclone Mick, and would offer the appropriate assistance through UNICEF, Fiji Red Cross Society and National Disaster Management Office. "This funding will provide for the immediate distribution and replenishment of relief and sanitation supplies, and to help conduct damage assessments," Mr Smith said.
Bail for Lodhia
FIJI Retailers Association president and jeweller, Himmat Lodhia, was granted bail by the Magistrates Court in Suva yesterday. He appeared before Magistrate Elsie Hudson on charges relating to driving under the influence of alcohol on Sunday night in Suva. No plea was taken. The case has been set for mention next year.
Ports dividend
FIJI Ports Corporation Ltd paid a dividend of $875,982.50 to the State last week for the 2008 financial year. "The global recession had an impact in terms of transportation etc but I'm glad to say that through the board, the acting chief executive officer and his team, they have a good plan for the next year to come," said Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who holds the Public Entreprise portfolio. He said FPCL had an off-shore debt and the fluctuating exchange rate had an impact on the dividend payout.
French aircraft
A FRENCH Navy aircraft based in New Caledonia was used to provide aerial support and assessments of areas in Fiji that were affected by Cyclone Mick. The Guardian flew over Beqa, the Yasawa Group, Lau and other affected areas. The six-seater Falcon jet is used on reconnaissance missions in neighbouring New Caledonia. During the aerial reconnaissance flights, officers from DISMAC were on board, and they were later provided with video footage and pictures of the surveyed areas and the associated damage. The work of survey teams to assess the damage to private and State infrastructure after Mick have been hampered by bad roads and lack of power. Three people died last week during the cyclone.
Parents, be alert
POLICE have called on parents to supervise their children during the holidays, especially during picnics and at the beach. Police spokesman Atunaisa Sokomuri said the national drowning toll this year was 46 and most of the victims were children. He said parents and guardians who take their children swimming should be vigilant and keep watch over them. Mr Sokomuri said parents should also drive safely, especially when they have children on board, to ensure that there were no road fatalities for the rest of the year.
Pacific Model Law
THE Pacific Model Law for the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Culture is paving the way for work in this area around the world. The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Tuiloma Neroni Slade, said as a Pacific Islander, he was very pleased with this development as it brought broad recognition to what the region was doing in terms of protecting traditional knowledge. Mr Slade said the Model Law potentially promises income generation for Pacific communities, which was vital for building livelihoods and economies.