Sivo shatters records in the gym
Reading that Maika Sivo is shattering gym records makes me wonder what must be going through Tedesco’s mind. Pranil Ram Votualevu, Nadi
Prove yourself
The two articles on The Fiji Times sports back page (01/07) complement each other and proves that commitment and hard work are required in order to find success. In one article, Fiji 7s coach Gareth Baber has called on his latest inclusions in the squad to make quality time of the opportunity to prove themselves and in the other the Parramatta Eels training management team have to limit Maika Sivo from doing extra conditioning. Sivo is fully committed to his game and has taken on an attitude to allow him to be playing at the top of the game. Such is the attitude and commitment that our Fiji 7s coach is asking for from individuals in his squad. What’s even more impressive is that the Eels coach was asked who of his two wingers is easier to coach and he replied that it’s Maika. Not only is he committed to his trade but he is obedient and will do whatever it takes to improve and become better. We sure have yet to see the best out of Sivo and we hope our 7s team will emulate his prowess. Proving oneself is what it’s all about in sports because success doesn’t come to you, it has to be earned. The harder you work at it, the more successful you will become! Simon Hazelman Rava Estate, Savusavu
Eels’ powerhouse
Just reading the Viti Times back page sports article on our home grown talent and Parramatta Eels juggernaut and strongman Maika Sivo is mind-blowing. His strength and power is the talk of the Eels’ gym sessions and the strength and conditioning team’s close monitoring and review of Sivo’s gym sessions especially weights is phenomenal. How good a strong player Maika is this year and after his Jonah Lomu-like rendition on Roosters’ fullback Tedesco two weeks ago, the NRL has more to see of the made in Viti rugger. This is a classic example of our own style and homegrown talent on the world stage showing Viti the way the world should see. Maika will certainly be a big trump card in the coming World Rugby League Cup and who knows, he could take Fiji rugby league to the finals if he plays for Fiji with this type of play and raw power. Joka dina Maika. Joka Viti. Toso Viti, kon roki. Shalwyn Prasad Suva
The offer
I applaud Sukha Singh for his relentless efforts, perseverance and consistent offer to our government for his expertise in whatever way he best knows, together with his small group of friends who consistently are full-time member writers to this column and who are either retired or have businesses. Our government employs the best highly qualified on merit professionals from Fiji and offshore should one be not available locally, but my tovata has not spelt out what he can offer with his group of friends, so I personally feel it is either a prank or a joke. Tukai Lagonilakeba Namaka, Nadi
Back to the lands
I suppose it is easier said than done. One of the most heard solutions to this economic situation has been to return to the land. But the dilemma is how many have land to return to? How many know how to use the land productively? Is it the best solution for long-term survival? The Fiji Times (01/07) has published an article by RESET on agriculture and a really great one indeed. Agriculture seems to be the great solution now, however, has justice been done to this sector prior to the arrival of COVID-19? Narishma Pratap Vishnu Deo Rd, Nakasi
A plea to the Government
As the COVID-19 restrictions ease, the relevant authorities and the people of Fiji must not be complacent, do take advantage of — the easing in restrictions. At the same time don’t become complacent and go overboard. A plea to the government of the day, please ensure our borders are safe and all protocols are strictly monitored. We must be vigilant and avoid the complacency culture because preventing COVID-19 isn’t somebody else’s job, it’s everybody’s job. Fiji has made hard choices to get to where it is, and I just hope in opening borders we will not be complacent and allow a second wave of COVID-19. DHARMENDRA KUMAR Rewa St, Suva
NZ crowned champions
The news that 7s fans dreaded — the WRSS remaining tournaments have been called off after a comprehensive consultation process and the All Blacks 7s men’s and women’s teams were crowned champions. The All Blacks 7s men’s team deserves the series title as they won three out of the six tournaments. They won in Cape Town, Hamilton and Vancouver and amassed 115 points — 11 points ahead of South Africa (104 points) and 32 points ahead of Fiji (83 points). South Africa won in Dubai and Los Angeles while Fiji won in Sydney. Jordon Conroy of Ireland finished the season top with 30 tries while Fiji’s Napolioni Ratu finished top with 159 points. The All Blacks 7s were consistent. Apart from this they have won the most RWC 7s titles, WRSS overall titles and the Commonwealth Games gold medals. We were miles behind the All Blacks on the WRSS points table and we lost to them in the Commonwealth Games final (14-0) in Gold Coast and in the RWC 7s semi-final (22-17) in San Francisco. Congratulations to the All Blacks! It’s back to the drawing board for Baber and our 7s warriors as we prepare for the 2020-21 WRSS series and the Olympics. All the best Flying Fijians! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Rabuka’s statement
Former prime minister and current SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka says a lot of people do not realise that he has changed (FT 01/07). May he care to inform everyone how exactly he has changed and what prompted him to change? The SODELPA leader confidently looks forward to leading the party into the next general election. “A lot of people” can prove to be the swing voters in 2022. Remembering very well that about 180,000 registered voters did not vote in 2018, I have already heard from a couple of mouths that we need another option in Fiji. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
My viewpoint
Frankly speaking I have not seen the amount of infrastructural development and maintenance works like building new markets and bridges, adding more streetlights on the highway, upgrading existing buildings and road structures, making new foot crossings etc to name a few, that the present Government is doing done by any other government. Credit must be given where it is due. I wish to register my sincere appreciation and thanks to the Government of the day for helping the people to live a better life. Rural remote areas are given a preference for which I am particularly thankful to the leader and his team. Our Prime Minister has been quite busy for a while commissioning those finished projects around the country. Our Agriculture Minister is also spending a lot of his time helping the farming community based in remote areas. Thank you sir for thinking of the poor farmers and their families. I don’t remember seeing this much government attention diverted in the past to the rural sector. This is what people expect governments to do, use the taxpayer funds to improve people’s lives and the standard of their living at the same time. As Thomas Jefferson says: “The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.” Suresh Chand Nadi
Fix roads, get paid
I AM interested in The Fiji Times report on Tuesday, “Fix roads while you wait for help” (June 30, 2020, pages 1 and 3). It is about an appeal from the Divisional Commissioner Central for communities to explore options to improve their roads. So I suggest one way. First, the news item reminded me of Malcolm Harper’s book, Public Services Through Private Enterprise: Micro-privatisation for Improved Delivery (SAGE Publications, 2000). Prof Harper suggests that through “micro-privatisation” governments can hand over the responsibility for many public services to small private and community enterprises. To illustrate the efficacy of this strategy, he presents 24 real life case studies from Asia, Africa and Latin America, and also from the United States and Europe. The activities covered by these examples of successful initiatives include urban services, utilities, agriculture services, health and hygiene, transport, welfare and education. They demonstrate that the quality, efficiency and outreach of the services are considerably improved, and the costs significantly reduced. The book targets a wide readership in civil society organisations, international development agencies, leaders in rural development, public administration, community development and enterprise management. I suggest revisiting “micro-privatisation” to support our national economic recovery in the COVID-19 pandemic. It might help us fix a few roads, and provide income for some families who are dealing with loss of jobs. SAVENACA NACANAITABA Suva
In politics
I believe one must never forget that in politics nothing is permanent. One day you up there, the next, you nobody. Dan Urai Lautoka
Good budget
I have a suggestion which can help the Ministry of Economy prepare a good budget. Reduce the military’s 2019 allocation by 50 per cent and donate the savings to those who have recently lost their jobs. Downsize the army by 60 per cent and lessen the risk of more coups. Gabe Simpson Rakiraki
Cost of houses
I am just baffled by the cost of making three two-bedroom fully furnished teachers quarters at the Ballantine Memorial School for a cost of $660,000. Could someone give the breakdown on the cost of the quarters and the furnishing separately. Do the quarters have a swimming pool each? Sukha Singh Labasa
Distant sing
I sing: “From a distant; oh cry the beloved.” Why you might ask? So many photos in the dailies, so little distancing I see. Tch, tch! MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Weedicide
I saw some Lautoka City Council workers spraying weedicide in drains. Is it allowed? With the recent heavy rain I am sure the weedicide would have ended up in the sea. Can someone clarify? Abdul K Khan Lautoka
Expensive
Why everything that is in need of repair or to be built in Fiji has to be done at a very high cost? FSC boiler, swimming pool, markets, road humps, teachers’ quarters, CEO pay and the list just keeps getting bigger. Is Fiji getting rich day by day? John Brown Drasa Vitogo, Lautoka
No barter
As per the request for communities to look into other ways of fixing deteriorating roads in their areas, besides fundraising drives, would the Fiji National Provident Fund consider expanding its assistance areas if it received applications from those who wanted to assist the government? Unemployment is high. Businesses are suffering. At the moment, it would be a daunting task to raise money quickly. Those who live with better road conditions would not be interested in barter. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Consider this
A leader who makes mistakes and owns it, is indeed a leader to value. “Success is overrated and practice is underrated.” Nigel Fiu Owls Perch, Lautoka
