EFL shares

Tukai Lagonilakeba,    Nadi

For the First time in our history ordinary Fijians with their current existing residential Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) bills are now eligible to 250 non-voting shares.

It is another classic example of wealth sharing by the FijiFirst government and it is something very similar to the Toppers Scheme and Tertiary Education Loans Scheme (TELS) – all our Year 12 and 13 children do is to provide their Ministry of Education exam results, fill in the necessary forms with the checklist of documents required, and they qualify for any Tertiary Institution of their choice in Fiji to further their lifetime dream ambitions.

But how about those that will be given their residential home titles for the first time six months, one or two years from now either through a Housing Authority and Public Rental Board development, including those in the informal vakavanua squatter settlements who are now awaiting formalisation or regularisation of their status.

The majority of these long forgotten Fijian low income earners have never had access to electricity all their lives and the majority have been accustomed to the kerosene stove and lamp including candles because of their social status, this is a great opportunity for these Fijians.

And similar to their Residential Housing 99 years Lease documents, their EFL Share Certificates can be used as mortgage in a financial institution of their choice to better their living standards for whatever purpose they chose.

I sincerely do hope that our Government will consider these Fijians now and into the future once they are granted approval for their Electricity Meter Connection to their first dwellings.

Power to the people from a brave and inclusive Government!

It will be very difficult to unseat this FijiFirst leadership and Government.

Kawakawa and Donu ban

Sukha Singh,  Labasa

There is a “kawakawa” and “donu” ban in the country right now. I would like the Minister for Fisheries to let us know why the ban in the Northern Division is for the entire grouper group.

One of my friends and professional fisherman, Jabar, has asked me to seek this clarification.

Shipping services

Shariff Shah,  Savusavu

Big thanks to Goundar Shipping Limited for providing a very consistent service to the North, especially for the Taveuni route.

One can only imagine what will happen or what the people will go through if the shipping service for some reason does not reach the island for only a week.

Election affairs

Amenatave Yaconisau,  Delainavesi, Lami

Elections is about policy differences among parties.  We are a competitive party system not a totalitarianian regime and our liberties should reflect that is not controlled or coerced to obedience.

Interpretation of the constitution must be looked at by all parties.

Evangelising offshore

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa,  Suva

The question has been raised if it is necessary for all the Christian-based faith religions in our country to send our qualified reverends offshore in spreading the Good News to other nations throughout the world and why don’t we all start here first as Fiji is all where it starts and ends, save the Fijian souls first and foremost?

The Gospel Commission given by Christ to His followers just before He ascended to heaven was for the good news to be preached in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria and into the entire world! (Acts 1:8), (Matt. 28:18-20).

Christ also revealed that one major sign of the time of the end was the preaching of the gospel to all nations, as a testimony or witness, before the end of this world (Matt.24:14).

We in Fiji are saturated with the Gospel messages from the time we wake up until we go to bed through our local Radio Stations, TV, Internet, our local Churches and the street evangelism conducted in our areas by some Churches.

Does this mean that we will all change and become model citizens?

Certainly not, only those who accept the good news of Jesus Christ by faith will be saved and their lives transformed and empowered by His Spirit to live holy lives.

Christians are to be first transformed by the Gospel before sharing the good news to others, as a witness, before the end comes.

We cannot stop the divine mandate when the door opens to take the gospel abroad, and we cannot force the good news into people’s throats; it is for the individual to choose.

Rugby tickets

Dharmendra Kumar,  Suva

Finally the Fiji rugby union has realised that ticket prices to the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) tests in Suva were expensive.

The ticket prices for the PNC game in  Lautoka  between Fiji and Tonga has been reduced, and we can expect a full house.

Despite having to watch two PNC matches for $50 on the grandstand, I still feel the ticket prices were expensive. As a result the grandstand  and embankment were not filled to capacity.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj