Letters to the Editor – February 18, 2019

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Athletes change baton in the 4×100 intermediate girls relay at the ANZ Stadium. Picture: JONA KONATACI

ACS sets high standards

Defending Fiji Finals champion and the girls from Sawani set a high standard upon the conclusion of the school’s inter-house competition as Kakala took the spoils, pushing Uci to second spot. What delighted me most was the competitive spirit despite the heavy rain in the Capital City and the fact that ACS opted to invite former sprint queen Ana Kaloucava as the chief guest and I thank the school administration for this kind gesture. Ana’s presence would have lifted the morale of the athletes as ACS aims for a back to back Fiji Finals. While the ACS athletes made their presence felt on the track, I’m sure Jasper, Grammar, BMS, St Joseph’s and Natabua would have kept a close tab on the Sawani team as they aim to dethrone the defending champ. As momentum builds up for the zonal meets, my best wishes to all the schools! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu

FRA footpaths

Fiji Roads Authority has been building footpaths alongside Vomo St in Lautoka. In the process the street lost some beautiful trees because the contractor or the roads authority could not build beside it. With the rain that Lautoka experienced yesterday one can see all the loose gravel washed on the road making it dangerous for both pedestrians and drivers. One can imagine the damage to cars windscreen or one of those loose stones hitting schoolchildren.Can the consultants of Fiji roads please explain how and when will you look into this problem. It has been almost a year since you started working on this street and may I say that the work you did has actually left the road in a worse condition. Narayan Reddy President – Lautoka Ratepayers Association

Thurston Gardens

I hope that all those involved in the decision-making regarding the use of Thurston Gardens will hear the words of the Roko Tui Suva, Sanaila Mudunavosa expressing his deep concern for the preservation of the old village site that his people surrendered so generously to the Crown i.e. the colonial government acting on behalf of the Queen. (FT 11/2) I join all those who are expressing deep concern regarding the plans for the Indian Government to erect a consulate building within Thurston Gardens. I plead with the final decision-makers not to allow any such intrusion into this sacred and historical site. This is sacred land that the colonial government took in trust from the indigenous owners more than a hundred years ago for the special purpose of preserving it for the use of all people. It is a space of great value to the people of the vanua and to everyone, and it is not for this generation to break the trust of those who went before us. There are many other reasons why this area needs to be preserved and I list a few. The continued increase in the construction of large buildings in Suva City is putting more and more pressure on space for citizens to find peace and quietness. Thurston Gardens is a treasured haven from the noise and busy nature of the city. It is also a rare space for plants, birds animals and other wildlife to thrive. Without them we humans become the poorer and contribute to the destruction of this planet and the ravages of climate change. There are other more suitable sites for the Indian government, for example at the lower end of Muanikau Rd, opposite My Suva Picnic Park area. So let us be faithful to the trust of our forefathers. Tessa Mackenzie Suva

Heralds in the market

I read with interest your street poll question on Saturday, February 16, and the accompanying responses in regards to heralds for hire. Also of interest was a letter by Floyd Robinson published on that day where he talked, apart from marijuana, about supply and demand. From a certain perspective, this is exactly what is happening. For whatever reasons, there is a need and some people are willing to supply that need, for a price of course. It’s just the market at work. Earlier this month, I think, your reporter Sikeli Qounadovu wrote a feature article on things traditional. That too was very much of interest. SAILOSI BATIRATU Suva

Nadi city

Before Nadi is even to be called a city, I would like the authorities concerned to deal with two very important and real issues that the people of Nadi have to deal with. First is the horrendous pile up of traffic on this one street town that is any commuter’s nightmare every morning and every afternoon. The one way street is not working! Second is the drainage problem that occurs every time we have a heavy downpour. Lord knows what that overflow includes so I will leave that to your imagination! Before you decide to turn Nadi into a city so that you can find justification in increasing
the town rates, I urge you to fix these issues first and foremost! REAPI NAYACAKALOU, Nadi

Accident compensation

THE Accident Compensation Act 2017 came into effect from January 1 last year. This Act facilitates compensation payments for any personal injury or death suffered by anyone in Fiji on or from January 1, 2018. This Act accommodates provisions for payouts to be fast tracked. For motor vehicle accidents, compensation funds are sourced from the road users levy paid to the Land Transport Authority. I think there is a direct correlation between the information above and below. Road users in Fiji, drivers and pedestrians alike, are getting utterly ignorant of simple road safety rules. They are putting their safety and others in the vicinity at risk. I believe there is also an outright decline in road conditions across Fiji. I am unreservedly referring to the movement of money to and fro. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF, Natabua, Lautoka

Improving sanitation

The dialogue between the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete and SODELPA Opposition MP, Viliame Gavoka, regarding sanitation (FT 12/02) is an important issue that needs thorough investigation. If there is one area that needs a lot of attention and improvement in sanitation, it is in our schools. It is the responsibility of government, school management, principals, and teachers to ensure our children have proper sanitation standards. Currently, for instance, many of our school toilets are in deplorable condition and the ministry isn’t even aware of such issues. Our school toilets ought to be as clean or even better than those used by everyone sitting in Parliament. Simon Hazelman Rava Estate, Savusavu

Why so generous

I would like to know why is the Indian Government so generous to the Fiji Government for exchanging a $US100 million ($F212.1m) property for a $F1m property? Could the Indian High Commission tell me the value of 6.5 acres farm land in Boparai, Phugwara, Punjab, India in US dollars? Sukha SingH Labasa

Rape survivors

I read with interest the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre’s comment (FT 8/2) that “survivors of rape should not be forced to undergo medical examinations and corroboration is not a requirement for sexual offences”. Strictly, medical examinations are not done to corroborate anyone’s story. A doctor has no interest in whether he/she/they raped someone. That is for the courts to decide. It is imperative that a medical exam is done on rape survivors so that the extent of damage to the genitalia can be assessed, and treatment started. If they are bleeding then blood vessels need to be tied off. Tears in the walls will need to be sutured and sometimes reconstructive surgery done. Infections will need to be treated, etc. All this is done in the interest of the survivor. Of course the survivor will have to give consent to this examination unless they are below the age of consent or mentally challenged. If this is the case then applications are made to the court for consent. I pray that all rape survivors are encouraged to undergo medical examination so that trauma assessment and treatment including counselling can be done. Prevention is always better than cure. We really don’t want complications including death to occur. Korina Waibuta Knollys St, Suva

Cost of living

Isn’t it a basic requirement that cost of living match the average wage, which is adjusted accordingly? One can only see the cost of groceries to know that this isn’t so, and when it comes to the cost of housing, then really we should be living in the States. Nigel Fiu The Owls Perch, Lautoka

Different people

A woman caused anger and uproar when she refused to move her handbag off the seat on a packed New Jersey train to allow another passenger to sit (Yahoo!7 February 15). A passenger asked “people like this exist?” Yes they do. There is no shortage of idiots who make up the human race! Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia

Valentine’s Day

It’s just another day. The best way to celebrate would be by saying only three lovely words to each other from loving heart and that is: I love you! Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand

A response

Allow me to comment on a letter on FT 16/02 (breaking stereotypes). Please remember the effects of some past so-called wise decisions that are causing social problems here and around the world. It’s always advisable to heed religious leaders, they being the greater light. Steven Chandra Suva

Naduva’s try

Alosio Naduva’s try in the Sydney 7s 2019 against Japan can be rated as one of the best alongside Tomasi Cama’s try in the 1990 Hong Kong final against New Zealand, in the history of the sevens game. HSBC TV commentators, Karl Te Nana and Willie Lose always refer to those tries as out of the top drawer. Ilaitia Bose Samabula, Suva

Botanical garden

It would be a pity, a shame to desecrate the botanical garden by turning a part of it into a modern-day building structure with all and sundry that goes with an office like an embassy or high commission. Instead, maybe the reclaimed piece of land opposite My Suva Picnic Park can be considered if it is not already earmarked for something. One other option for sure is to demolish the old Parliament Building (which is somewhat like an empty museum) and let The Indian High Commission Office be built there. Or, reclaim a bit of adjacent land. Moses Fong Suva

Money lender

One group is making money, but only on the already exhausted backs of the average worker. The money lender! Nigel Fiu The Owls Perch, Lautoka

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