Go FijiFirst

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Nasinu

I rushed home from my Nadali SDA Church in Nausori after Sabbath to catch the Vodafone Fiji Sevens team first pool match against France on the internet at 9:30pm.

I felt like shouting out loud in joy in thanking the FijiFirst Government when I saw that those at home were already watching the Port Elizabeth Sevens leg live on television.

There were nasty words spewed out by Sevens fans last week when the Dubai Sevens was not aired live to Fiji.

But I thank God that the FijiFirst Government stood their ground and showed by example what FijiFirst really meant and that was putting ordinary Fijians no matter your race, colour or creed or whether one lives in the city, towns, in the remote interior or in the outer islands, first.

An agreement has been reached and the PM commented that “now, people in Rakiraki and those living outside the Fiji TV footprint will be able to watch the Port Elizabeth Game on FBC.

“And so will the people of Nadarivatu, Korovou, parts of Taveuni, Ovalau, Kadavu, Koro, Dreketi, Seaqaqa, Wainikoro, Daku, Macuata, Taganikula and Galoa, to name a few.”

The current Government wants a level playing field for all Fijians and in all fairness, while we are all die hard Fiji rugby supporters, the Government does not want only a select few areas or people to have access to live games coverage.

Let us keep praying for our leaders in the current FijiFirst Government to continue to reveal the indiscriminate love of God on all Fijians as they continue to serve the nation.

iTaukei business

Semi Kuboutawa, Brisbane, Australia

The recent week-long training organised by the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs at Nadave to reignite the commercial and business acumen of the 14 Provincial Roko Tui to once again take stock of the abundant iTaukei natural resources and pursue for honourable and equitable commercial gain is commendable.

The era of failed iTaukei Bus Companies, grounded Shipping Services, low rental real properties are behind us. However, precious nuggets of business and commercial sense we have no doubt amassed from these rather unfortunate and embarrassing commercial ventures of the past.

A new iTaukei business era is before us.

Would it be fair to suggest that it is now time for Provincial Councils to co opt as members of their respective business committees non iTaukei of proven business sense and success from within their respective province? Indeed, to compliment iTaukei academics and business minds within the province.

An independent and pragmatic view does no harm at all, but is sure to expand the iTaukei business networking beyond the over trotted traditional business track of the taxi business, village stores, roadside stalls or retail home based kava mart.

With all due respect, maybe it is the dawn of new business and commercial era for us iTaukei to suck humble pie and ask for help from other Fijians, not that some of our former elite iTaukei and business academics of the former era left us a pleasant legacy!

Let ratepayers decide

Dorsami Naidu, Nadi

Prior to the General Elections we saw a special administrator allegedly give certain properties in Lautoka municipality like a portion of land adjoining Churchill Park and Shirley Park without what I call proper procedures being followed.

Similarly in Nadi we saw the appointment of a special administrator who allegedly had part of the Nadi Market upgraded and contract awarded without what I call proper procedure being followed.

Now this same special administrator allegedly has advertised in the Fiji Sun (November 29, 2014) calling for expressions of interest for the “Development of a shopping complex as a public private partnership project”.

Why the hurry when we have been assured that there will be municipal elections this year? Why not let the ratepayers of Nadi decide?

We know for a fact that the last special administrator left some questions hanging over the council’s finances.

I, as a ratepayer, am against this project being implemented by a non-elected council for the following reasons:

n We do not want to lose our open/park areas to unnecessary development.

n Nadi Town is subject to flooding and the area proposed for the project is just over 2.5 acres in area and falls within the flooding zone.

n people of Nadi especially ratepayers and business people know what it is like to be subject to floods and the impact it has on their lives and livelihood.

n investing ratepayers money without their consent.

The ratepayers of Nadi have suffered financially and in the provision of services under an unelected council.

The increase in rates without provision for better services and the lack of accountability in terms of financial management has continued.

So can we ask the present special administrator and his management not to proceed with any new projects but let an elected council do this?

You could make the town a bit more cleaner, provide better traffic movement and better parking facilities, and working street lights.

Unconstitutional?

Tukai Lagonilakeba, Nadi

Many of the Political parties that were born out of convenience prior to the election all rejected outright our 2013 Constitution although world leaders gave it their full endorsement’s.

Two such parties, SODELPA and NFP, who are both now in Opposition including their leader Ro Teimumu, now find it very convenient to say that the Budget and parliamentary standing orders are all unconstitutional when it does not meet their expectations.

It is so pleasing to note that all the 18 Opposition members have now finally accepted that our 2013 Constitution is the soul governing authority of our sovereign Fiji.

What a turnaround or was she referring to another constitution that her partner and legal adviser in the man from the hills of Koronivia Mr Nawaikula informed her that the last constitution was never abrogated!

Can anyone from the Opposition like Nawaikula, Karavaki, and Draunidalo explain why the sudden shift?