Toso Viti, toso – The next leg
OUR best wishes to our young 7s warriors,who did battle last weekend in Dubai. The games were a bit of a worrier, as they tried to come out with a high. As new players in the international series, some of whom never been overseas either as a tourist, or even on business. They just need more game time together. When they find their mojo, they will click and gain confidence, to become stronger. Tackles will be sure, ball not spilt but stick. The long-term vision and their main goal is to win this new series, by winning each tournament and then all. However, it needs to start very soon, with the very next leg and without fail, in Dubai, near the skyscrapers and the sand dunes, is where our new warriors will create a new tale. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Dubai plan!
Saiasi Fuli’s spirit and desire to reboot and reignite our national 7s teams in Dubai this weekend is commendable. He has demanded the best from his players after they fell short of the cup final last weekend. It’s pleasing to read that the team has assessed their performance last weekend, and the boys are raring to go. It’s important for the team to bounce back, prepare mentally and physically and have a good recovery due to the Dubai heat. On the other hand, I agree with the editor-in-chief (FT: 30/11) that it is important to keep the momentum despite having 11 rookies on board. Indeed, as pointed out by the editor-in-chief, “We defeated giants France and Australia in pool play. “We defeated Kenya in the quarter-finals, and we came close to edging the US Eagles in the semi-finals. We weren’t pushovers either! “Our defensive shape was strong, and our attacks on the half gaps and passes to support runners on the fringes were breathtaking. “We ran some lovely lines on attack, and we came off with some pretty strong tackles in defence.” All teams know the threat the Flying Fijians pose, so their eyes will be on us. Not forgetting the Fijiana a brilliant effort from them to reach their first final on the HSBC WRSS circuit. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu
Big jump
NOW with the announcement of a big hike in fuel price from December 1, and the reassuring speech by the PM that his government listens to the people, I am sure the 20 cents tax that was imposed by the Fiji Government last year when the fuel price was at its lowest will be lifted. The people have been asking for it to be removed for a long time now. Surely, the increasing fuel price is not a local issue as stated by the minister, but the imposed tax is surely a very local problem. I believe the Government has the mandate and ability to remove that 20 cents and make life a bit easier for all ordinary Fijians. Rajendra Prasad Niudamu Rd, Naulu, Nakasi
Clarify please
WITH new COVID protocols in place for places of worship, can the hierarchy of churches and denominations clarify, should non-vaccinated members continue giving their tithes and pledges? Should they continue with other obligations levied by the churches despite being barred from entering as required by law? So far, I haven’t heard any statement by any denomination regarding non- vaccinated members in regards to their obligations, tithing and pledges. I believe churches and denominations should clarify their stand on this issue. Pita Soroaqali Rakiraki
Poor behaviour
HOW pathetic is it that the President H.E. Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere in his speech at the opening of Parliament is compelled to remind parliamentarians about the need to conduct themselves with dignity? It came across as if he was a head teacher, lecturing to teachers. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama also felt compelled to mimic the President’s words and raise the matter, claiming all parliamentarians are guilty of “… going too far, of saying things we should not have said …”. Is this behaviour what Fijians deserve or expect from our country’s leaders? What is frustrating is how much parliamentary session time has been expended on this subject rather than on matters of national importance. Shameful, indeed. Julie Sutherland Tamavua, Suva
Women in politics
STOP using women empowerment as a reason to get them into politics. If they cannot be listened to and given the opportunity to express themselves, than what is the use? How many women under FijiFirst got that liberty to be themselves? Shall we say, try another party? It’s not about going big always. I believe the fact that at least they tried, says a lot. Thank you for trying. Kirti Patel Lautoka
Price hike
According to the article in the FT 30/11 there will be huge fuel price increases from December 1. May be now is the time to get rid of the extra tax on fuel that came into effect after the COVID-19. Our country is the only one that puts twice the tax on fuel and the poor people have to pay for it. This has broken the backs of the people and they can’t tolerate it any more. A reduction of 20 cpl (cent per litre) will be a very big relief for every one. Nardeo Mishra Suva
Fuel story
ONCE again we read that fuel prices will be going up significantly. The authorities will explain why the hike. How about telling us what you can do to absorb the hike. Anyway, price hikes will go on forever, people have no choice but to accept it. We can’t do much about price hikes. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Lautoka
Omicron variant
Omicron is here, and the world is reacting swiftly with travel bans, mask mandates, and renewed calls for vaccine uptake, as most COVID-19 deaths are among the unvaccinated. My only hope is that our Government leaders learned from their mistakes. Our country cannot afford a third wave. Closing our borders is the simple solution. Don’t trade at the expense of our beloved citizens. There were 696 Fijian deaths according to the WorldoMeter Statistics 29/11/21 during the last attack as I checked yesterday morning. Jioji M Cakacaka Tadra – Votualevu, Nadi
A warning
THE World Health Organization director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned us and I quote: “Many of us might think we are done with COVID-19. It’s not done with us”.Fiji needs to first upgrade it’s public health service and standard if it wishes to open the borders to tourists. The Omicron variant is a global risk and one mistake by the string pullers can jeopardise the nation’s frail economy and public health safety from the wave of Coronavirus. Fiji does not want reports and pictures of substandard hospital service and systems posted online that will paint a horrible image if a contamination of Omicron variant spreads across the nation. We can only hope that the Government will not repeat it’s mistakes by allowing people to come in with the virus just as it happened on that returning Fiji Airways flight. Stay safe, have some herbal remedies, mask up and wash those hands. AREKI DAWAI Suva
Thank you
My sincere thanks goes to Ernest Dutta of Senibuadromo St, Suva (FT 30/11) for your concurrence. This defining discriminatory treatment by our Land Transport Authority has been allowed to go on for a long time. I believe every driver over 70 years of age has suffered discrimination, in silence. Now is the time to raise your hands in much-needed support for your duly just cause. Will the Social Welfare please include $35 for this medical report to facilitate LTA for senior drivers in the 70-plus category recipients? It is only fair. This draconian method of the annual renewal of drivers licence must be reviewed through Parliament. It must not be allowed to continue in its present form. Most 70 year olds are better experienced drivers, by far. Our record speaks volume. Look at statistics of road deaths caused by 20 to 45 year olds. Mind-boggling, to say the least. They are the ones who definitely need annual medical examinations and reports to facilitate annual driver licence renewal. (Hearing, vision, general concentration and awareness whilst driving). Can the Fiji Law Society lend in this worthy cause and some respect for senior drivers in the 70-plus category, please? We deserve better. Allow me to also extend my sincere congratulations to both, master and Mrs Arvind Mani for recently celebrating the golden anniversary of their wedding. Awesome! Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Driving test
I read Ronnie Chang’s Letter to the Editor in Saturday’s The Fiji Times and thought I would add my sixpence worth. In 1966 I passed the driving test and received my Fiji driving licence. In the same year my brothers and I flew to New Zealand with our dad. I remember on a number of occasions driving my sister’s Morris Minor, once from Mount Roskill through Down Town Auckland and over the Harbour Bridge to one of the Northern beaches and then back home. Over the years since then I have driven extensively, without incident, in Australia and New Zealand. That’s not counting the time my wife and I went on holiday in Honolulu where we had a rental car, left hand drive mind you, which we drove all over Oahu. I have now owned a Fiji driving licence. In the same year my brothers and I flew to New Zealand with our dad. I remember on a number of occasions driving my sister’s Morris Minor, once from Mount Roskill through Down Town Auckland and over the Harbour Bridge to one of the Northern beaches and then back home. Over the years since then I have driven extensively, without incident, in Australia and New Zealand. That’s not counting the time my wife and I went on holiday in Honolulu where we had a rental car, left hand drive mind you, which we drove all over Oahu. I have now owned a Fiji driving licence for 55 years and in all that time I have had an unblemished driving record. When I turned 70, I went to renew my licence and was told it was necessary for me to have a medical checkup to confirm I was fit enough to drive. Well, I thought, “that’s fair enough, not all 70 year olds are as fit as I am”. That cost me extra money. In addition, I had to write a letter stating why I needed a licence, I mean what’s it to them? The following year, same story. However, this year there is a new twist to the ongoing saga of getting a driving licence when you turn 70. I now had to re sit my driving test. I have been driving longer that many of those in the LTA, (who make life difficult for a 70 year old), have been on Earth. Ronnie is right when he suggested that more accidents are initiated by 20s to 40s than those over 50. It is discrimination pure and simple and a way to generate extra income from those who have already contributed to Fiji their whole life. DONALD T. PICKERING Matei, Taveuni
Duty on fuel
THE fuel prices are going up significantly from today. This is one of the biggest increase in recent months. Import duty was increased when the global price went down following a slump in demand due to COVID-19. At that time, we were informed that the consumer will still be paying less. However, it has now spiked up much higher than before. Therefore, the increase in duty on fuel is not justified anymore. I urge both Fiji Commerce and Competition Commission and Consumer Council to make submission to the Government to review the import duty on fuels. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Fuel price
Bro Allen, since you visit many places on a regular basis, did you manage to collect stories of people fainting after the recent fuel price hike announcement? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Editor speaks
The editor-in-chief, in a few lines (FT 30/11), summarised the role of The Fiji Times: “The Fiji Times does not exist to create positive headlines for the Government. It exists to publish all views and to ensure there is balanced coverage of the news and balanced political debate.” There you go ardent readers! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Pool question
Passing through Lautoka market, I overheard talk about the swimming pool. Wondered where is that swimming pool? Navneet Ram Lautoka
Thinking of others
We are in a difficult time nowadays and face a lot of challenges throughout the week but despite them, we come across competitions given out by some companies. I would like to thank those companies for thinking of others during this crisis. KELEPI DAKUIYACO Waikalou, Serua
Bank account
It has taken more than two months for a bank to accept changes of signatures to an account for an organisation known world wide for assisting the poor and underprivileged in society. The teller explained that the documents are under process and she was not able to say whether or not the process could be completed in three months time. Dan Urai Lautoka
Another variant
Another worldly wake up call to tackle the new variant Omicron. We are stronger now to face it with experience we have had with COVID-19. Unity is strength. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
