Suspension lifted, SODELPA’s back
There was some joy for SODELPA supporters as the Registrar of Political Parties, Mohammed Saneem, announced the lifting of SODELPA’s suspension.
Emele Duituturaga was confirmed as SODELPA’s new general secretary.
Furthermore, the party’s acting president Vijay Singh and the acting vice presidents Ratu Epenisa Cakobau and Jone Lesuma issued a statement asking party supporters for forgiveness.
Now that SODELPA is back in political business, I’m sure the management will address issues related to the party’s constitution and address the divisions and factions within the party and once SODELPA is united they will come back stronger and present a formidable force in the 2022 general election.
It will also be interesting to hear if all our other political parties are operating within the rules.
A statement from the Registrar of Political Parties will be highly appreciated.
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Women’s soccer
I refer to the letter by Nardeo Mishra of Suva (FT 27/06) regarding Women’s World Cup football to be held in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
As Australia and New Zealand will gain automatic qualification, Fiji has the best opportunity to qualify with preparation time in abundance.
Nardeo insists that the national coach has more than enough time to develop an unbeatable team if he knows his job, and I fully agree.
Meanwhile, Fiji FA plans to identify overseas-based elite players, mainly in the US, New Zealand and Canada and to assemble the best prepared team to try and win the regional qualifiers and gain a historic slot at the pinnacle of the sport.
To the Fiji FA CEO, Mohammed Yusuf, this is the opportune time to make it happen, tonnes of preparation time in your favour, no excuses whatsoever.
Personally, currently the go to man in the Fiji FA hierarchy is Aiyaz Musa with a vision to develop football in the country.
Finally, just want to know if the OFC solidarity funding of $68,000 to assist players affected by COVID-19 to distribute groceries has been sanctioned.
Anyway, I will keep a close tab on Fiji FA’s progress and the OFC and FIFA grants.
God bless Fiji Football and all the best to our women’s national team to qualify for the 2023 World Cup being staged closer to home.
RAYMOND SINGH Golf Links, Lautoka
Call for help
The case of the man falling into the pothole and breaking his leg (FT 24/06) as highlighted — thanks to your newspaper and also Rajend Naidu (FT 25/06) from Sydney, Australia, calls for immediate attention and if I may say so some appropriate constitutional redress in order that people’s needs can be attended to.
I recall once in London when we lived and worked there in early 1990s, I tripped and hurt my foot walking on the neighbourhood pavement and was advised by former British High Commissioner to Fiji and friend, the prominent late Roger Barltrop that if the edge of the pavement was over one inch gap you could apply to the local council and receive the sum of 200 sterling pounds OHS as redress.
This I did and immediately received the cash for medical help. Immediate and no bureaucratic procedures.
Restructuring governance can bring help closer to the locals.
Municipal councils when restored and existing can bring government attention closer to the people and to meet their need.
REV AKUILA YABAKI Suva
Pirate taxis
I believe the pirate taxi issue has been there for ages.
Many attempts made by the authorities to enforce laws to curb this seems to have proven futile.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put added pressure on families to make ends meet. Some have resorted to pirate taxis as a source of income.
As long as there is demand for these taxis, the so-called illegal operation will continue.
This may not be the right time to prosecute these people.
It is more about how we could limit the demand for this kind of businesses that could solve the problem.
Wouldn’t it be possible to prosecute those who hire these cars?
PRANIL RAM Votualevu, Nadi
Post-COVID
I believe Government needs a long-term plan to sustain the economy post-COVID-19.
DAN URAI Lautoka
careFiji app
So which is it, “download app for contact tracing” or “no phones in schools”?
NIGEL FIU Owls Perch, Lautoka
CWD issue
Civilian Works Department (CWD).
Interesting coining of words by a Lautoka writer and agree with Simon that this attitude should not be determined by circumstances but by how we respond to them.
Unfortunately the commendable efforts of Kumi villagers is because of circumstances I believe.
I couldn’t help but wonder about the $3b spent on our roads in the past seven years when my vehicle tyre gave way yesterday after hitting a nasty lovo pit in Suva!
DORINE NARAYAN Suva
Pretty scary
Listening to the WHO director that we are not even closer to eliminating the coronavirus makes me pretty scared.
PRANIL RAM Votualevu, Nadi
Road hump cost
Next time I come across one, I’ll have a closer look to see if it is made of gold.
SANJEET PRASAD Mani Rd, Bulileka, Labasa
Clean-up
I believe the Bainimarama clean-up failed.
DAN URAI Lautoka
Swimming pool
Since the Lautoka swimming pool project contract has been terminated, can the report be made public for transparency sake?
All I want to know is who was responsible, past government, past minister, past CEO or who?
JOHN BROWN Drasa Vitogo, Lautoka
Attitude in life
Friend Sukha Singh stood up and asked what he can do for his country. Just imagine if more citizens could stand with him and hold the same positive attitude. At the same time Sukha in his The Fiji Times correspondence is not afraid to call out injustice when he sees it.
Allen, Narayan and Nigel and Co., in Lautoka, are showing what can be done by community groups who refuse to stand by and do nothing.
In the Sigatoka Valley we see the Fiji Kids team out in the community with food packs.
I reckon it all comes down to attitude and belief.
TERRY HULME Eastwood NSW, Australia
Doing fine
Don’t worry about the guy who said for you to stay out of the government’s way Sukha, you are doing fine.
You are in Fiji. Jan N has taken himself away already, so you and me are here and that’s what matters.
And thank you to Rajend Naidu, he said it – you are a fearless critic.
ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Lautoka
Back to school
Secondary schools with Years 12/13 opened their doors yesterday (30/6) to admit eager students with broadly smiling faces.
The school corridors would have been filled with a cacophony of voices sending smiles on the faces of teachers and ancillary staff.
Yes, the entire school community will have to face the new normal situation of social distancing and paying attention to personal hygiene.
This will be a big challenge for most schools as they will have to ensure there is ample liquid soap in all toilets for washing hands and toilet paper in each toilet cubicle.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has urged all students to put in their very best to study and to help each other.
He also urged them to be civil and friendly towards each other and achieve the highest standards. Great message for the children of the country from a great leader!
Under COVID-19 the biggest winner has been the issue of personal hygiene. The credit for this must go to all arms of the media for a job well done. May I wish all teachers and students the very best for the remaining part of the year.
God bless.
DEWAN CHNAD Donu Place, Namadi Heights, Suva
Moral compass
Referencing the USP saga Arvind Mani makes a very pertinent point on the importance of having a moral compass to guide human conduct (FT 29/6).
Without it, even good people can go rogue, sometimes in extremely horrendous ways.
To get an insight into this phenomenon, see the documentary True Evil: Making of A Nazi. It tells us how educated, civilised people –– including scientists and university academics –– were transformed into twisted monsters capable of unimaginable cruelty.
These were people who had lost their moral compass. History tells us what happened as a result. Arvind Mani is right.
Brilliant minds are not enough.
Having a moral compass is indispensable to guide us in doing what is right.
RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Common sense
Common sense is rare and the amount a person displays varies from person-to-person.
It’s something you learn and is based in human compassion and respect, in both for oneself and for others.
It most definitely requires a level of maturity and cannot be had without experience or guidance from those around you and from life itself.
Common sense for me is thinking before speaking, asking before replying and discussing before making a decision.
It’s fairly obvious that many lack common sense because they continue to believe in things when there is evidence to suggest otherwise. Such people are “set in their ways” and often unable to change.
It’s also fairly obvious that many of us Fijians lack common sense, even in those of us who appear to be intelligent.
As the saying goes “intelligence without common sense is like a flashlight without batteries”.
If you have it, it’s easy to tell when someone lacks it through their actions and by what they say.
So common sense is indeed not so common after all.
The issue is to identify your lack of it and learn to heed more the advice of those who have it! But who’s to know better if the majority don’t have it? What a tangled mess!
SIMON HAZELMAN Rava Estate, Savusavu
