Addressing Lautoka market issues
We thank Natasha Becky and Rahul Prasad (23/06) for highlighting issues in relation to the operation of the Lautoka market. Lautoka City Council appreciates feedback from the ratepayers, vendors and users of our facilities, which helps us continually improve and upgrade our services. LCC has increased the frequency of cleaning up the market as a response to COVID-19 and will be putting additional bins outside the market to facilitate collection of rubbish left behind by late afternoon vendors. We have increased monitoring, not only at the fish market, but the market in general, to ensure that the Lautoka market bylaws are being adhered to. Mohammed Anees Khan CEO, Lautoka City Council
FRA wastage
With the present daily concerns voiced regarding road conditions, I wonder how much of this is because of poor supervisory and organisational skills within the Fiji Roads Authority structure. Late 2019 the road I live in had a total overhaul by a contractor, was extremely well done and the best it had been for many years. Two months later another contractor turned up, ripped it all up and left it like a farm track for no apparent reason. Complaints to FRA resulted in the contractor returning a week later, simply rearranging the mess they had made with no improvement. Questions to FRA on why they did this were ignored. For the past couple of months I have watched the new pedestrian crossing with traffic lights being constructed in Lami Town which eventually finished and came into operation last week. This week the new pavement that had been constructed at its crossing point is being dug up. These are just two examples within a short distance of one another that suggest “efficiency” and “effective” use of resources is not being monitored by FRA. Grahame Stageman Lami
Unity talks
The new general secretary for SODELPA is reported to be talking to the chiefs to get unity within the party. Would it be unreasonable for me to say that this party has, as the saying goes, “too many chiefs and not enough Indians”? Question is, when are they going to start talking to “others”? First you would need to change the mindset of the members and I believe that would be near impossible. Just my thoughts, I hope I am wrong in this regard. Jan Nissar Carlton, NSW, Australia
Set for Olympics
After settling for bronze, our boys grabbed an Olympics spot. However, I’m worried about the lack of quality game time for our 7s boys. On the other hand, I’m impressed with All Blacks 7s stars Scott Gregory, Caleb Clarke, Jona Nareki, Salesi Rayasi, Etene Nanai-Seturo and Vilimoni Koroi as they featured for their Super Rugby clubs. All Blacks 7s coach Clark Laidlaw must be excited with the young guns and the way they performed and trust me the All Blacks will come out firing in Tokyo next year. However, fans could soon see our 7s boys in action too –– Kalione Nasoko for Yasawa, and Alasio Naduva, Tu Meli, Terio Tamani and Aminiasi Tuimaba for Suva while brothers Kavekini Tabu, Sevu Mocenacagi and Isoa Tabu look to join Nadroga. We need ample preparation time to retain the Olympics gold medal. Taking some tips from former 7s coach Ben will do us no harm. While I was delighted to read that Fiji and Japan could join the Six Nations competition, I feel that the biggest wave has been created by hulking Fijian sensation Maika Sivo, who flattened James Tedesco and whose gym sessions are controlled by the Eels. Some exciting times indeed for rugby fans! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Let’s talk
We live in a world that is constantly “in touch” online and yet also increasingly disconnected at the same time. There are people all around us with hidden hurts and heartbreaks that they may never reveal in public, but they are in desperate need of someone to care for them. The comfort of a friend and a kind word can make all the difference to someone in need. It’s good keeping in touch online but when there is opportunity, visit friends and families and just talk to them. DHARMENDRA KUMAR Rewa St, Suva
In politics
Dan Urai believes that in politics nothing is permanent (FT 02/07). That is most certainly a truth that everybody should know! Dan also considers an MP as being “up there” and a “nobody” when not. If Dan feels that he is a “nobody” because he is not an MP then I’d say he is definitely in conflict with himself.
I believe we do not need to be MPs to be “up there” and you can also be an MP and yet be a “nobody”! For
leadership is about action and not just a position! SIMON HAZELMAN Rava Estate, Savusavu
VPL resumption
Following some relaxation on COVID-19 restrictions, the Vodafone Premier League 2020 is set to start again from this month. The resumption will see Ba taking on Navua at the Fiji FA Academy grounds in Ba on July 11 at 3pm. They will then take on the Capital City boys Suva at the same venue at 3pm a day after. On Wednesday, July 15, the Men-in-Black will host Lautoka at Churchill Park and then play Nasinu on Saturday, July 18 at 3pm, at Fiji FA Academy Ground in Ba. When Ba finishes playing all these matches they will come back on par with others and this is when the full round of the matches are scheduled to resume also as confirmed by Fiji FA. I think the resumption is good now that we have been declared free from COVID-19. Taking into consideration the 50 per cent capacity for spectators as announced by the Prime Minister, Fiji FA says only 300 fans would be allowed to witness the matches at the ground. Let’s hope that the number of spectators turning up at all venues doesn’t exceed 300 because if it does you will not be allowed to go inside. How are interested fans supposed to know that there are already 300 fans in the park before they leave their homes. Anyway let the games begin. Suresh Chand Nadi
Health advice
During the pandemic, we are told not to hug and kiss or shake hands. But the new COVID-19 method of greeting seemed contradictory with at least two of them. One is the ‘Fist Bump.’ Doesn’t that part carry the virus too? For we are told to wash that part of the hand so it must carry germs too? Next is the ‘Elbow Bump.’ But that’s where we are told to sneeze or cough into! So when we touch our hands or elbow afterwards then our eyes nose or mouth we would be infected also? So how wise is that type of advice given by the experts? Or am I wrong? The best is not to touch at all but wave from a safe distance. Norman Yee Martintar, Nadi
Years of war, hunger
With the recent events unfolding all over the globe, I came across an online article highlighting the Yemen crisis. Yemen is a country that is devastated by civil war since 2015 and is the Arab world’s poorest country. I was shocked and saddened to learn that it is facing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, and it can also wipe out its existence! The civil war continues and is demolishing Yemen along with starvation. The country is literally starving since the 2016 famine and almost 80 per cent of the population is in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. The Yemen crisis has also affected the children, they are facing the worst of the worst. The children of Yemen have no proper health care to this day. They are starving since the 2016 famine and they are being robbed of their future due to the wars! According to the United Nations Office The Coordination Of The Humanitarian Affairs, a child under the age of 5 dies every 10 minutes of preventable causes. So you see, Yemen needs our help, the world’s help. Nubasha Vomo St, Lautoka
Swimming pool
Based on official sources that the famous Lautoka swimming pool has a fairly small percentage of work left, it would be very interesting what the chief guest would deliver during the opening ceremony. Especially in regards to the duration, it took for the project to complete and total cost. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Rugby invitation
It’s good hearing that Fiji could be included in the Six Nations Championship. I only hope that the preliminary discussions materialise into something concrete. We must do everything to seize this opportunity. Pranil Ram Votualevu, Nadi
In charge
I wonder which government and which minister was in charge of the Lautoka swimming pool and the construction of road humps? Any idea Sukha, Allen, Tukai, Simon? I definitely have no idea. Sharif Shah Savusavu
Contact PM
I would like to encourage Sukha Singh from the North to please kindly contact the Commissioner Northern’s office to check on the itinerary for our PM and make an effort to meet him and hand him his official letter of offer on how he can go about assisting our government. This is an opportune time which he should not miss or otherwise he should stop misleading the public. Tukai Lagonilakeba Namaka, Nadi
Bus service
Can LTA check why fewer bus services are available for school children? John Brown Drasa Vitogo, Lautoka
Speed hump
$20k for a speed hump? Phew! I believe $20k could probably fix half of the nation’s pothole woes. Nishant Singh Lautoka
Foodie ventures
I’ve seen an influx in little foodie ventures during these difficult times, “The Resilient Kitchen”, “The Lockdown Kitchen”, “Lovo Fiji”, “Fekei, Fekei, Fekei” to name a few, so awesome to witness, skills on display. I will just need to get to that Red and White Bread Shop earlier, as large white slice bread are being sold out at a rapid pace. Nigel Fiu Owls Perch, Lautoka
Economic issue
The world shall ask itself whether it is possible to simultaneously fight off COVID-19 and revive economies or firstly focus on eradicating the highly contagious virus which will automatically lead to a gradual recovery of economies. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
