Road woes
I must wholeheartedly thank The Fiji Times for raising awareness on the ailing conditions of our roads.
Road conditions in some parts of Suva are poor and a menace to drivers. Drive through Suva City, CWM Hospital, and residential areas such as Nadawa, Kinoya, Narere, Cunningham, Delainavesi and Nakasi, and drivers will find potholes on these roads that cause damage to motor vehicles.
Times are hard and the cost of spare parts and tyres is high as well.
When it rains, things become worse as the potholes get filled with water, and once the tyre lands in the pothole it gets damaged. On the other hand, I’m grateful that rehabilitation work on the road in Laucala Beach is underway, and I hope the repaired road lasts long. It’s a headache when a road is repaired, and soon after, potholes emerge when there is a heavy downpour.
I urge the Fiji Roads Authority to fix the state of our roads as we are paying road user levy. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
‘Pot Hole’ capital
Looking at the sizes of the potholes on our roads makes me think our PWD was doing a better job with the locals and limited budget.
At least those roads lasted for more years without much repair than the present ones.
No wonder we are known as the” Pot Hole” capital of the Pacific. NARDEO MISHRA Suva
National anthem
A few years back we tried to change our national flag but there was a lot of opposition to that and we shelved it.
Now I would like to see that our national anthem be sung in our native language.
Why should we be singing in English when we are a republic now? Look at India, France, South Africa and even New Zealand where they sing in their native language, why can’t we do the same?
The music and the meaning to be same but the language to be different. What say? NARDEO MISHRA Suva
Keep it simple
Many complicating things Creating a confusing battle
Understanding too difficult But simple it is to remove this struggle
Just keep it simple Breaking things from complex to simple
Keeping it fundamental to the core principle Simple it is that makes things logical
Removing all troubles possible Achieving results so incredible
Simplicity a value so valuable So just keep it simple
BHAGWANJI BHINDI Nasinu
Rise in drug trade
Your The Fiji Times on Thursday, December 31, 2020, by FPF Assistant Commissioner Abdul Khan stated as headline and I quote: “There was an increase in drug trafficking especially cocaine and methamphetamine in Fiji and other Pacific Island countries over the past five years, a Human Rights Situational Report for 2020 has revealed” unquote.
I’m just wondering since we closed our borders early last year, is the illegal trade still thriving or the supply and demand decreased?
I hope someone in higher authority can answer this question.
Unless we cut off the market, there will be supply and demand. I believe a certain island is thriving with the supply of marijuana because it has a lucrative market in Fiji and the region.
You eliminate the market, supply is stopped. JIOJI MASIVESI CAKACAKA Tadra – Votualevu, Nadi
Water safety
I GREW up to value life and to preserve it at all costs. That was my lifesaving training from a very young age. When I think back at all the hours I spent on the beach as a lifesaver in Victoria, it was rewarding indeed. We would proudly don our iconic lifesaving caps and do our duty with seriousness and passion.
We were regarded highly by all the beachgoers and holidaymakers. Not a life was lost during my watch. We received excellent training on water safety, resuscitation and first aid.
We practised these methods until we dreamt about it. It became second nature. While some procedures have changed over the years, the basics haven’t. It was one of my saddest days when I took my therapy dog, Gus to visit the children at the Children’s Ward of the CWM Hospital.
We met a boy who had jumped off a bridge into shallow water and he had no feeling in his limbs. He asked me to pray for him. Only Friday, January 22, 2021, a 13-year-old boy (ST 24/1) allegedly drowned in a river in Tailevu.
We see an image of his forlorn mother that would touch even the most callous person’s heart. She is clearly shattered and one can’t imagine what she must be feeling to lose her teenage son.
We read how he would go to the farm and collect produce as his father was unemployed and how he felt responsible for ensuring his siblings had school lunches; all at the ripe old age of 13. Some questions come to mind here: On Friday, what time of day was it he was swimming? Was it during school hours? Was there an adult supervising him?
It seems now that he is gone, it will be his willingness to provide food for the family for which he will be remembered most. Another young precious life so quickly snuffed out.
Water safety awareness and basic first aid should be an integral component of the P.E. curriculum.
Can the Ministry of Education take this into consideration? JULIE SUTHERLAND Tamavua, Suva
