To all university graduates

Spencer Robinson, Suva

To all the recent graduates of the Univer­sity of Fiji and the Fiji National University, no matter how long it takes to secure your dream-job, please always have the patience, humbleness and determination to never give up.

Regardless of getting your first job after graduation and it is something that you never dreamt of doing, please always have a positive mental attitude because who knows these could mean building up on your skills, knowledge and the right attitude for the ‘dream job’ that is waiting for you out there.

Never underestimate the odd jobs you get along your career path because one day you will look back and appreciate the company, the people and the customers who have shaped you into the person you are today.

Phillip Sweet once said: “Stay true to your­self, yet always be open to learn. Work hard, and never give up on your dreams, even when nobody else believes they can come true but you. These are not clichés, but real tools you need no matter what you do in life to stay focused on your path.”

Speeding problem

Norman Yee, Nadi

I refer to recent media reports of increased accidents in Nadi’s Martintar Section of the 4 Lane Highway.

In my view, motorists’ excessive speed is the main cause. This is in addition to the in­creased speed limit of 50km to 60km.

While there may be an argument for a higher speed limit in non-built up areas, it is hard to see this in a highly built-up area like Martintar.

Firstly, drivers ignore the 60km speed limit as I witness them driving past me regularly at high speed. There are no Police officers, no Land Transport Authority officers and no speed cameras to monitor this.

So it is now very dangerous for us to enter the highway because of the speed of the ap­proaching vehicles. Not only that they even refuse to slow down to let you pass!

May I suggest a blitz at Martintar to shock motorists into submission?

Firstly, I would like to suggest that the speed limit to 50km/ph in built-up areas be imposed again.

This will enable us to cross lanes safely. Secondly, a Police officer should be sta­tioned there daily for a few weeks to solidify its presence.

Finally, more speed cameras are warrant­ed. I hope these suggestions will be kindly considered.

Public utilities and

infrastructure

Simon Hazelman, Savusavu

In order for our nation to function to its best ability, the Government must first fo­cus on public facilities, utilities and infra­structure.

There is so much talk about developing other areas, but it would make no sense if the fundamental systems that are sup­posed to be serving the country are not up to standard, insufficient, and in some cases non-existent!

Here in Savusavu, to this day we are still experiencing water and electricity shut­downs and we continue to experience spo­radic connections with telecommunications and the internet.

To my knowledge, Savusavu does not even have a sewerage treatment plant.

Drainage and roads are constantly getting repaired and rubbish of all sorts and sizes are dumped anywhere and everywhere.

Our public utilities and infrastructure are in a real mess!

These facilities are necessary for our econ­omy to function properly.

Without these systems serving us efficient­ly and consistently, we are already disad­vantaged before even getting started!

It is extremely vital that these systems are brought up to efficient standards to enable, sustain and enhance our economy and liv­ing standards.

The Government must come up with new strategies and solutions to tackle this end­less problem. Get the basic right first before anything else!

Tangible benefits

Floyd Robinson, Suva

Are development agencies and donors cre­ating confusion in the Pacific?

In some ways one may argue against this, but one also has to look at views from ordi­nary Pacific islanders.

There are an endless number of funded projects supporting the livelihood and well-being of communities across the Pacific, but the names can sometimes lead to unnec­essary confusion.

For example, there is ecosystems-based conservation, marine protected areas, local­ly managed areas, terrestrial conservation, community-based management, integrated waste management, integrated land man­agement, sustainable development, climate change, resilience, sustainable agriculture, sustainable land management, integrated land management, gender equality and em­powerment and sustainable development goals.

There are development agencies or donor agencies with its own strategies and frame­works.

Aside from this there are numerous strate­gies, policies, frameworks and action plans both at the national level and regionally.

The number of technical reports and as­sessment can be endless. Numerous com­munications plans and frameworks are available at project and programme levels.

All in all, despite the value and extent of externally funded initiatives, one matters the most is linkages to livelihood and well-being of communities across the Pacific.

Like one taxi driver said the other day “what does this mean for us and how will we benefit’.

One hopes that come 2019, more develop­ment programmes and initiatives have a human centered approach leading to some tangible benefits at the community level ei­ther directly or indirectly.

Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj