The Fiji Times

Ajay Bhai Amrit is new high commissioner to Australia

Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) board chairman and co-founder of The People’s Alliance party, Ajay Bhai Amrit, is the new High Commissioner of Fiji to Australia. Mr Amrit replaces former Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development permanent secretary David Kolitagane, who was posted to this role in November last year. While thanking the Fiji Government for...

Prasad: Park project a disaster

Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad has labelled Ba’s Govind Park upgrade project a disaster because “it was poorly managed and handled”. During his visit to Ba yesterday, the minister has also called for an urgent and thorough investigation of the matter, saying all those involved in the manipulation of construction works would be taken to...

FICAC appoints Toganivalu

David Toganivalu has been appointed the new acting Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Commissioner, says Attorney-General Siromi Turaga. Mr Turaga said he would meet Mr Toganivalu on Monday when he takes up his new role. “He received his appointment today (yesterday),” said Mr Turaga. “He will be getting an acting allowance, which is a...

‘Unnecessary alarm’ on contaminated water

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Biman Prasad said “a lot of unnecessary alarm” was created by some people on the issue of contaminated dam water at the Balevuto Dam in Ba — allegedly linked to multiple deaths in the community. According to the Health Ministry, the series of deaths could have been caused...

Sayed-Khaiyum’s undeclared shares

Former attorney-general and FijiFirst party (FFP) general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum did not declare the value of shares he owns in two companies in his asset declarations filed with the Fijian Elections Office since 2017, a Fiji Times investigation has found. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s asset declarations between 2016 and 2022 said that he and his wife Ela...

Firms ‘have healthy bank balances’ | Court states Aiyaz is a director and shareholder of two companies

A Magistrate’s court ruling delivered on September 13 states former attorney-general, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is a director and shareholder of two companies that “have healthy bank balances”. Magistrate Jeremaia Savou noted this in the bail variation ruling for Mr Sayed-Khaiyum who was seeking court orders to travel to Singapore for medical reasons. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum was allowed...

Shortage of surveyors in Fiji

There is a shortage of registered surveyors in Fiji, says deputy secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources Timoci Samisoni. In an address at the 2023 surveyors conference in Nadi last week, Mr Samisoni said the lack of registered surveyors has been a challenge for the industry with the problem affecting both the private and public...

Obscene images of Fijian children found on websites

At least 7000 obscene images of Fijian children have been found on websites online, the United States Government has found. Attorney-General Siromi Turaga said this had prompted greater collaboration between the Fiji Police Force and the US State Department to find the source of these disturbing images. Mr Turaga said mobile phones were the perpetrators’...

Collective statement on nuclear wastewater issue

The Forum Fisheries Ministers (FFM) will issue a collective statement on the Fukushima nuclear wastewater issue, which will highlight the need for more intense dialogue between the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) scientific panel, the Government of Japan, and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) scientists on the impact of the ongoing release. Following a one-day FFM...

Brown on secretary general’s role

Forum Foreign Ministers chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says the ministers have acknowledged the Suva Agreement on the position of the secretary general and no discussion was made regarding this during the meeting in Suva last week. “There was no discussion on the secretary general’s role in the incoming secretary general. The...

Pacific forest experts exchange ideas

More than 20 Pacific forest experts are meeting in Nadi to exchange and learn from selected good experiences in the management of forests on customary lands in the Pacific. Opening the workshop, Fisheries and Forestry Ministry permanent secretary Atelaite Rokosuka said customary land ownership was an integral part of land governance in the Pacific, with...

What’s happening today!

Bula vinaka everyone. Here is another edition of some basic information you may need to know for today. First, here is your weather forecast for today: Weather Expect Occasional rain, heavy at times and isolated thunderstorms over the greater Suva-Nausori/Tailevu areas, Serua-Namosi, Kadavu and nearby smaller islands, Lau and Lomaiviti groups, southern Bua and Cakaudrove...

From Harvard to cattle ranch

Harvard University graduate, Laisa Bale, took heed of her father’s advice to stay close to the land no matter how far across the oceans her white-collar job took her. A third generation cattle rancher, she is now pursuing her Certificate in Commercial Agriculture (Level 3) at the Fiji National University’s Naduna campus in Labasa. FNU’s...

Back in history | Battle of the voices

On August 6, 1993, The Fiji Times reported that this “was the typical sight yesterday” when the choir masters took to the rostrum as the annual Methodists Choir competition entered its second day. Groups came from all over the country. “The choir competition is being run with the national fundraising drive, mainly by donation. By...

Can kava mana be exported?

Kava is the ancient drink of Pacific people. Surrounded in custom, and steeped in thousands of years of tradition, it is considered a ‘life source’ for many. ‘Anau Mesui Henry describes kava as ‘being alive’, that you’re honouring it when you’re drinking it ‘the proper way’. “When my family moved to Aotearoa, my mum and...

Triple bottom line | Shifting smaller businesses from informal to formal sector

Soleya, a management consultancy company, has dedicated itself to the aid of micro enterprises; one woman’s passion project to uplift aspiring entrepreneurs in a nation that she now calls home. Mrs Noellie Garand, managing director of Soleya, holds a diploma in Innovation Management and two master’s degrees: one in Policy Studies and another in Development...

$35 million complex for Nausori

Nausori residents will soon have access to an apartment hotel and retail complex at the heart of the town’s main business area thanks to a public private partnership between the Nausori Town Council and Shop N Save Supermarkets Ltd. The approximately 7500 metre squared plot where the old Nausori market once stood will house a...

North bank staff donate blood to help save lives

Inspired by the 43 pints of blood donated by staff of the Westpac Suva and Lautoka branches during an organised blood drive earlier this year, the Labasa branch staff took it upon themselves to donate to the Blood Bank up north. Westpac Fiji organised blood drives for staff in partnership with the Fiji Red Cross...

36 hotels record $4.3m room sales

Thirty-six hotels in Fiji recorded room sales of $4,372,033 in the month of August, Tourism Fiji has revealed in its monthly accommodation report. Fiji recorded 87,368 visitor arrivals in August. “In August 2023, properties in Fiji maintained a steady occupancy rate of 84%, showing a slight decline from the previous month of July, which averaged...

Vidya Patel leaves legacy behind

The founder of major developers Challenge Group of Companies, Vidya Ben Patel, was laid to rest at the Lovu Crematorium in Lautoka on Tuesday. Mrs Vidya Patel, the wife of business tycoon Suresh Patel, died at the William Harvey Hospital in Willesborough in Ashford, United Kingdom, on September 5. She was remembered at an intimate...

Warmth of people and delightful dishes leaves lasting impression

My one-week stay in Chengdu, one of the biggest cities in China, has had a profound impact on my life. Although it was a short visit, the warmth of the people and the delightful dishes left a lasting impression on me. Throughout the week, I had the opportunity to visit several incredible places. And I...

A visit with many firsts

My visit to China is filled with many firsts. My first time travelling out of Fiji and first time on an airplane. And to experience China in my first overseas trip has been nothing short of amazing. Chengdu is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me personally. Because before this, my life was centred around Wainiveidio...

Not just another ‘talk fest’: Prof Shaista

The National Education Summit was not just another ‘talk fest’ says University of Fiji vice chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem. Professor Shameem said the three day discussions was data driven that showed the need to change and review Fiji’s education sector. “I was very encouraged by the data provided by the Ministry’s permanent secretary who gave...

Court dismisses case of unfair dismissal

The Employment Relations Court has dismissed a case of unlawful and unfair dismissal brought by former USP vice president-administration Dr Dilawar Grewal against USP. Dr Grewal’s services were terminated on June 13, 2016 on charges of gross misconduct after it was discovered he had forwarded a confidential email to a third party and that the...

Increase in overall crime rate

The overall crime rate increased by 5 per cent during the month of August in the Western, Eastern and Northern divisions. A police statement read 1524 reports were registered during the month and compares with 1456 reports for the same period last year. The Western Division recorded the most crime with 570 reports. The Southern...

Simpson to take stage

Domo Vou Talei 2022 finalist Amos Simpson will take to the stage at this year’s Woodstock Uprising Music Festival but this time he won’t be flying solo. Amos will be there as part of Waikama, a band out of Savusavu which features his guitarist/vocalist brother Robin Simpson – a musician of note in Australia. Robin...

Drop in serious crimes

Serious crimes recorded last month decreased by 20 per cent over July, while crimes against women dropped by 11 per cent and crimes against children by 38 per cent. Police statistics show that while there was a reduction in crimes against women, domestic violence still dominated the list. Of the 177 reports, 16 per cent...

No plans to diversify sugar production

The Government has no plans to diversify sugar production into syrup, the Sugar Ministry has clarified. Earlier this week, this newspaper highlighted a story about a multi-million dollar investment by Rama Se Foundation founder and philanthropist Deepak Tahal and Y3 Kofera Trust, the traditional owners of Denarau. The partnership is expected to facilitate cane syrup...

Ministry to address internet issue in rural areas

Getting internet to rural and maritime schools is a challenge that the Education Ministry will address as one of its key focuses moving forward. This issue was thoroughly discussed at the National Education Summit with stakeholders from the public, private and civil sector coming together to find solutions to the ongoing issue. Education Minister Aseri...

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