Our rising 7s stars
The 11 debutants who featured in the two-day Dubai 7s tournament over the weekend made a huge and massive statement as they featured prominently for Fiji. Although the men’s team finished fourth, the nation should be proud of the efforts put in by the side. Fiji lost to the two most experienced sides on the circuit — the USA Eagles and the Los Pumas 7s teams. Joseva Talacolo, Jeremaia Matana, Tevita Daugunu, Elia Canakaivata, Daniele Yaya, Iowane Raturaciri, Kaminieli Rasaku, Iowane Teba, Panapasa Qeruqeru, Filipe Sauturaga and Manueli Maisamoa won hearts and accolades for playing like warriors. Even the village of Nukubalavu in Savusavu was in frenzy as their sons – Raturaciri, Yaya and Teba – donned the jumper in Dubai. This weekend fans will make their entry in The Sevens Stadium, and this should add excitement and thrills. Fiji will face Argentina, France and Spain in a tough pool. Argentina beat us, while France came close to creating an upset. Tuivuaka’s advice, for the new reps to work together, comes in handy. Thus, I echo the sentiments shared by the editor-in-chief (FT 29/11), “Fans will no doubt be rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect of watching the team in action again this weekend. It is now up to the management to manage our campaign well moving forward. What a debut, what a team!” RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Go Fiji, go
SOMETHING extremely horrible or pitiful, or something characterised by misery or unhappiness, is described as woeful. Many Fijian 7s rugby fans will agree with me that using that phrase to describe the men’s 7s team was wholly inappropriate. With 11 new players, finishing fourth in the Dubai 7s tournament was anything but bad. The only thing that was woeful about this was the title given to Fiji’s loss to Argentina. All in all, a big congratulations to both the Fijiana team and the newly-formed men’s 7s squad. You have done us the “real Fijian 7s fans” proud. Until the next tournament. Go Fiji go! JANINE RAKUITA Makoi, Nasinu
A new variant
WE have a new variant of the coronavirus. How come it’s morphing again? Is someone doing this or is the virus capable of doing so? Frightful, isn’t it. ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Lautoka
The mighty pen
EVERY morning and evening I noticed peak hour traffic around the Nuffield Clinic and the Twomey Hospital using the middle lane on Princes Rd, Tamavua reserved for emergency vehicles. Ambulances especially frequent this strip of road. Some of the offending vehicles were even encroaching at high-speed onto the oncoming traffic which included me! At times I could see my life flash before my eyes. I decided to act. I penned an email to the Commissioner of Police, Sitiveni Qilio. Later that same morning I received a call from the Divisional Traffic Officer Southern. He informed me that the police, acting on instructions from the commissioner, would be focused on that strip of road and book any vehicle in the middle lane. It’s funny how now you will only see the odd vehicle breaking the law. Thank you, commissioner, for acting so promptly to make driving much safer for all. JULIE SUTHERLAND Tamavua, Suva
Coconut industry
SINCE Fiji cannot rely solely on our tourism industry, we need to revive other industries that can generate revenue and create more employment. To those of us who came from the small maritime islands, the coconut industry was what funded our migration to the bright lights of Suva before moving to other towns. It seems leaders on both sides of the House never uttered a word on this industry during their sittings and debate. I wonder why? I love my green coconut juice, raw coconut miti and coconut virgin oil which are some of the bi-products of our coconut industry. It has been proven medically that it can be a remedy to our health and bodies. I always love to watch how the South East Asian countries, i.e. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand including India, create small artefacts from coconut shells and husks. It might be small but it’s contributing to our SMEs. JIOJI MASIVESI Tadra- Votualevu, Nadi
Non-vax believers
FIJI is a poorer nation laced by non-vax believers. Some simply continue to refuse to accept that masks and vaccines are the only protection, approved by the World Health Organization, for our protection against the deadly COVID virus. I believe 70 per cent protection is better than none. Doctors and nurses are God’s gifts to mankind to help care for us all, occupants on this Earthly planet. I rest my 2 little cents’ plea as an advocate. RONNIE CHANG Martintar, Nadi
Over 70
I must thank Ronnie Chang for his insightful comments on various issues, and for raising the matter of LTA licence renewal requirements for those over 70 years of age. Being a septuagenarian myself, I am required each and every year to make written application to LTA expressing why I need a driver’s licence, and submit a medical certificate declaring I am medically fit, before this application is reviewed by someone in head office. Some time later I finally receive approval for a licence renewal valid for one year only. I don’t know what LTA bases this procedure requirement on. Do they have statistics indicating what percentage of motor accidents are attributed to those aged over 70 years? If they do I would venture a guess that this would be miniscule. I know other countries have certain requirements for those over 70 years which are no way near restrictive as what LTA has for local citizens. I sincerely hope that the new chairman of LTA would spend some time to review this procedure and make it less restrictive, perhaps to have licences valid for at least two years, obviating the yearly need to crowd LTA offices and spend unnecessary time in the waiting process. While I am at it, and on another issue, I would like to congratulate my favourite scribe Arvind Mani and his better half, for reaching that milestone (not millstone!) in celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. Join the privileged club! Ernie Dutta Senibuadromo St, Suva
Health in the balance
Reference is made to an article titled: “Health in the balance” written by Professor Biman Prasad (FT 29/11). It makes for thought-provoking reading and sends shivers down our spine. Apart from the broadside hurled at the FijiFirst government, I wholly agree with the serious issues he has raised. I am a regular visitor to CWM (Colonial War Memorial) Hospital and no one can deny that the largest hospital of the country is in a state of decay and decadence. Lack of supervision and the lackadaisical attitude in general has brought the hospital into disrepute. Poor seating arrangements for the patients, lack of toilet paper and hand washing soap, broken window panes, broken or non-functioning fans and general malaise leaves one heartbroken. The other serious issue at CWM Hospital is the poor parking facilities. The list can go on. The public-private partnership concept has been introduced to manage Ba and Lautoka hospitals. I hope enough research has been carried out to ensure that it does not become a failure like the five PPP projects in Australia. FNPF (Fiji National Provident Fund) seems to have the highest stake. Past experience shows that FNPF is not a good investor. Hence my deep reservation I do not support the secrecy and confidentiality surrounding this project. The current practice of referring patients to private hospitals is clearly untenable. A vast majority cannot afford these expensive services. Only those who are rich or are insured can afford these services. The poor have the option to suffer and die. Not a very pretty picture of our health services. What we really need is that patients get the basic treatments and medication at all our health facilities Now that we have our own training facilities for doctors, nurses,and specialist medical technologists, there should be no shortage. Attrition through migration can be stopped if these people are paid well. This is not the first time that these issues are being raised. Other writers have from time to time written on this subject. What we need is a visible action to improve the situation. Dewan Chand Donu Place, Namadi Heights, Suva
Far from over
The Omicron variant’s discovery and fast spread across the world is an uncomfortable reminder that the pandemic is far from over. Like when at a grog session hoping it’s the last mix but few bags still in the car. Eh Lyndon O’Connor? Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Border opening
Some outside politicians asking to delay opening borders for next three weeks and so on, they are urging this as if they have millions to pay the poor. If you have enough funds to donate to those in the Western Division who are suffering then no harm in delaying! Jaheed Buksh Korolevu, Sigatoka
Hardware prices
Could the FCCC explain why the prices of hardware materials have gone up suddenly? A 25kg No.8 wire I bought in August has gone up from $86 to $100. Cement roofing iron electrical wires all gone up. I asked a salesman to explain and he told me the higher the price the more VAT you pay. I have been thinking about the salesman’s explanation hence this letter for more explanation. Sukha Singh Labasa
Deadly variant
SukHa Singh (FT 29/11) first they should close the borders. However, I believe they can’t and won’t because our national airline might go broke. Prepare for the worst. Dan Urai Lautoka
SODELPA issue
The current and immediate past leadership and executives of SODELPA shall be answerable to its members for the current unstable and volatile status of the party and its generally waning support. I believe people came, they destroyed and deserted what was once a very organised and effective representative of indigenous rights. Emosi Balei Suva
Restrictions
So if it’s discovered in South Africa then surely it will be brought in by a fully vaccinated individual. Please do not penalise the locals for this cross border transfers. We’ve had enough of the restrictions already in place. God bless Fiji. Phillip Isaac Nausori Village
PM’s warning
The Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has sounded a warning to all Fijians in the wake of new virus (FT 28/11). We all have a role to play to tackle this, worse than Delta variant. This is a global concern that can be spread to any part of the world. Prevention pays dividends. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
