Letters to the Editor – February 2, 2019

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Lautoka’s Osea Vakatalesau tries to control possession against Central Sport during their match in the OFC Champions League at Churchill Park in Lautoka. Picture: REINAL CHAND

Our worst enemy

Once again I believe discipline cost Lautoka a place in the OFC quarter-final. This is not something new in Oceania football that has let us down. Discipline has not only troubled Lautoka but many other local football teams in the past. Central Sports came with a plan to upset our players. They were very inviting in their approach so that Lautoka players commit fouls. Probably, they were well aware that it is very easy to put Fijian players off when they are under pressure. Though the score was respectable it could have easily blown away. In the process Lautoka created its own piece of history in the competition by becoming only the second team to host the games and not to qualify. This raises serious questions. What did the management team do to rectify the on field disciplinary issues in players? How long will we continue to give away matches like this? I believe it is high time that associations need to bring in sports psychologists to overcome this, otherwise I believe discipline will continue to haunt us. Pranil Ram Votualevu, Nadi

Power supply

In order to ensure reliability and security of power supply, Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) carries out periodic planned maintenance on its network. In the interest of safety for all, while carrying out planned maintenance works on the distribution lines, there are planned power shutdowns. These planned power shutdowns are published in the print media for the information of all our valued customers. In the event there are sporadic/transient power disruptions, these would be cause of unforeseen faults, inclement weather conditions (lightning strikes), foreign objects touching the powerlines, etc. In the recent past, we have had a lot of power disruptions because of accidents, whereby vehicles have collided on the EFL power poles. EFL can confirm that there was an unplanned power outage which affected parts of Tavua on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at 15:36 hours. Power supply was restored remotely at 15:40 hours. At 16:10 hours an EFL team reported that a third party contractor had accidentally dropped a length of steel rod on to the high voltage powerlines in Tavua Town which had resulted in the initial outage and caused damage to the powerlines, and the power supply was remotely switched off for safety reasons. The faulted part of the network was isolated for repairs and electricity supply to the remainder of the area was restored at 16:28 hours. Repairs to the damaged powerline was completed and supply fully restored at 18:15 hours. In addition, there were two other unplanned power outages in Tavua Town in the month of February, 2019. The first was on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 17:55 hours and power supply was restored at 18:01 hours. The second unplanned power outage was on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 12:41 hours and power supply was restored at 12:47 hours. Any suggestion that EFL was up to some trick to disconnect power supply to our valued customers could not be further from the truth. Our business is to generate and sell electricity to our valued customers. Why would we engage in such tricks as mentioned by Allan Loosley in his letter published in The Fiji Times on Thursday, February 21, 2019? EFL requests the co-operation of all parties working in the vicinity of power lines to exercise extreme caution during the course of their work to ensure that power disruptions of this type mentioned above can be avoided and also for the safety of one and all. Hope the above clarifies. Hasmukh Patel CEO, Energy Fiji Ltd

Beating the traffic

Last week I was at my relative’s place in Nausori for the weekend and was very sad to hear that my nephew who would be in Year 4 has to wake up at 4am every day, just so that they can beat the traffic. Note he is up that early so they can leave home, the latest being 5.30 am so as not to be caught in the traffic jam that occurs every morning. Now for an adult getting up at that time is not an issue but for a growing child, I believe the bigwigs with the white jackets might have something to say about their health. Some say wait for the new two lanes to be completed, but even then we still have long queues from Veisida to the 3 miles area. It’s time for the bigwigs in the big house to start thinking and planning their next course of action and I have written previously offering solutions, like a toll freeway or a train system so less cars are used, where consumers just park their cars in suburbs like Nasinu, Makoi and 3 miles. But hey what do I know right, I’m just the common man. Lawrence Wara Suva

Marijuana plants

More than 2000 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $3.5 million was uprooted by police from farms on Kadavu over the weekend (FT 11/02). All the plants were loaded on to a vessel destined for Suva for analysis. Why
are the police transporting all the plants to Suva when just one will do to analyse? Another interesting factor is that raids seem to
coincide with the maturity of the plants? If we are dead serious about eradicating marijuana then plants need to be destroyed on site the moment it is uprooted. I believe this operation Sasamaki sure smells fishy! SIMON HAZELMAN, Rava Estate, Savusavu

Drugs issue

WHAT is happening? The marijuana, drugs and ammunition all are coming as highlights. Even a Nadi nightclub is being cordoned
off by police officers. Just recently there were discoveries of marijuana in bulk combined with all these, it just makes one wonder about things. Of course the factor of demand is playing up here, but the negatives will be a major impact. There definitely would be
the group force operating it and these are what came to attention, however, there may be other isolated cultivation, addiction and dealings going on. Too much findings that too one after the other. While it is good that the culprits have been caught, nothing changes the fact that it’s a very sad state of affairs and imagine our children. God knows who all are part of it and consuming
it. Let’s just hope this evil gets extinct soon as no good can be achieved out of it. For the betterment of our country it has to be eradicated completely. Let’s hope for a brighter, better Fiji. KIRTI PATEL , Lautoka

Moving on

MY advice to the 7s captain who was booked for a drink-driving offence is to pick up the pieces and move on. Another advice to the team — remember you are public figures, don’t do what will spoil your name, stay on the right road. To the management — please have counselling teams to talk to the boys when there is a loss or other incidents that could affect them personally. Remember they fly Fiji’s flag on the international stage. We are all different and handle things differently. Some can handle stress, criticisms and backlash. They need our support. To the boys — never let issues get to your head, keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars. ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka

Nadroga raises profile

YESTERDAY’S editorial comment was a beauty and Fred aptly summarised the cause of success for Fiji’s traditional rugby giants — “One factor stood out — the abundance of talented young men who were passionate about the white Nadroga jersey with the little Stallion embroidered over the left chest. Nadroga rugby is once again on the driver’s seat, pushing for the development of its crop of young talented players and hoping to maintain its hold on the imaginations of rugby fans.” Nadroga has produced a host of remarkable household names in rugby including Waqatabu, Rasila, the Batimala brothers, Donu, Tawake, Jonetani Waqa, the Lutumailagi brothers, Kalou, Matawalu, Nauga, Nacagilevu and the late Naituyaga. Hence, I was delighted to read that the 2019 Nadroga Super Rugby Championship has been expanded to include more teams and player participation. According to Tiko Matawalu, this will bridge the gap between club competition and the provincial level. Furthermore, it’s pleasing to note that the Nadroga Rugby Union is in the process of securing the future of coaches within the province with the World Rugby level 2 coaching courses. This will help develop a string of coaches who can assist Waqa and Esala Nauga to rejuvenate Fiji’s most successful provincial rugby team. In addition, Nadroga’s deal with French clubs means that numerous Nadroga players will leave our shores to ply their trade in France. Last year, Nadroga’s trophy cabinet was empty as Suva and Naitasiri walked away with the spoils, but I’m sure that Nadroga will be back with a bang! Finally, my best wishes to the mighty Stallions for the 2019 rugby season! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu

Open options

BRING those retirees back into the fold, now! That is the only open option you have. There is no substitute to years of experience. Otherwise, times a wasting. MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Avenue, Lautoka

Retiring age

I BELIEVE this Government didn’t see the long-term effect of retiring people at 55. ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka

Funny tale

IN today’s very troubled world, your Flotsam and Jetsam article in yesterday’s print (FT 21/02) certainly put a smile on my face. HENRY SAKOPO Choy Gopal Rd, Waiyavi, Lautoka

Footpaths

THE Lautoka City Council should get its priorities right while constructing footpaths. There is an urgent need for a proper footpath from Nadovu Park to the hospital roundabout along Drasa Ave because schoolchildren who use the grounds at the park walk to town after their games. Likewise other players who use these grounds on a daily basis also walk to town but there is no footpath, and where there is footpath I believe it is in a pathetic condition. PARAS NAIDU Lautoka

Traffic problems

I ALWAYS thought Lautoka had the biggest traffic problem, but I can say that Auckland is worse. The difference is Lautoka has careless drivers who overtake dangerously causing accidents, and Auckland has sensible drivers who give way to oncoming vehicles. JOHN BROWN Auckland, New Zealand

United shines

ONCE again when it mattered the Red Devils stood the test and dumped Chelsea in the FA Cup battle, coasting to a 2-0 win. Goals by Herrera and Pogba silenced Stamford Bridge as Man United fans hailed the heroic efforts of the Red Devils. Now United fans eagerly await the return clash against Liverpool! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu

Green airports

NADI International Airport has been recognised as one of a leading green airports in the Asia Pacific region. The program recognises airports’ outstanding achievements in their environmental projects. The transformed Nadi International Airport is a world-class facility that is standing tall against some of the biggest airports in the world. Nadi International Airport is getting international accolades for its modern look and a greener airport. Vinaka and congratulations Nadi International Airport. TOMASI BOGINISO Nasinu

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