Hospital makeover

Joan McGoon, Nadi

It is impressive to note the new refurbishment at Nadi Hospital reception area.

Gone are the high-ceilinged cobwebs and drab atmosphere and in are the brightly-coloured walls and white ironclad seating.

It makes you feel as if you’re at Shortland Street.

It is a breath of fresh air.

Good job to the management.
Name change

Jan Nissar, Carlton NSW, Australia

The impending demise of SODELPA is appearing on the horizon.

It looks like it will suffer the same fate as the Alliance Party, SVT, SDL and CMV.

And guess what? The people involved in the demise of all of these parties are the very same people running SODELPA today. Only the party name has changed.

If you keep doing the same things over and over, but with a different party name and the same people, there will be no improvement or achievement.

Nothing is going to change.

If those who support SODELPA cannot see what I can see clearly, they must be blind.

But the good thing is, in a free society, people are free to choose … to be blind, if they so wish.

And, as with any choice, comes consequences.
Co-operate with ruling party

Simon Hazelman, Savusavu

Here we are a divided people over the governing of the nation!

While FijiFirst has won the last two elections and have the mandate of the majority of Fijians, a good number of people have gone against the ruling party and voted for the predominantly iTaukei party in SODELPA and they have found themselves in the opposition.

While the opposition plays an important role in providing practical criticism of the ruling party, it is very important that opposition party works in co-operation with the ruling FijiFirst Government for the development of the nation.

After all, it is the nation that is most important and neither the opposition, nor the ruling party!

One of the only things that the opposition party and the ruling party have agreed upon unopposed is the increase of their salaries and allowances.

Besides that approval the opposition have hardly co-operated or agreed on anything else.

It begs the serious question … what their real motives are?

One thing we now see between the FijiFirst Government and the opposition party in SODELPA is that the line between them has become very thin and is becoming thinner and thinner by the day. The same can be said between the two opposing supporters as seen and read on social media.

The divide is not only unfortunate, but it brings to question each and every one of us on what are we trying to achieve here?

FijiFirst is the ruling party and they are because the majority of Fijians want it that way, so it is only appropriate that the opposition and its supporters swallow their pride and for the sake of the nation, work together for the betterment of all.

We cannot be disagreeing with everything!

There is so much unnecessary hatred and dislike between the two parties that we have lost focus on what is really at stake and what matters most of all.

As a developing country we sure cannot afford or have the time to continue to be disruptive and unproductive.

Co-operation is the key to our success and it needs to be a nationwide one!
Members right or FTUC right?

Tukai Lagonilakeba, Namaka, Nadi

There are many other professional ways and approach in which these irresponsible union leaders can go to and find an amicable solution to their many workers and union member’s issues.

It makes me wonder if the so-called strike by their parent body is good for their collective bargaining or detrimental and counterproductive to their many desires. But our government and the Fiji Police Force must be commended for protecting the bigger interests of the nation in not giving in to the demands of Felix Anthony and his troops.

Is it in the best interest of their members?

Or is it the right of only a few to further their ill-conceived political innuendos.

I believe the ADB Conference was successfully held at the Sheraton and Westin properties on Denarau and the Intercontinental Resort at Natadola, great for these FNPF-owned 5-star hotels and specifically all its members including all those who belong to FTUC and other unions.

I wonder if Felix Anthony has any idea how his nonsense will negatively impact these hotels’ revenues and the workers if his strike was to have been given the green light.
Increase in road accidents

Farnaz Hussein, Lautoka

I would like to express my discontent about the increasing number of road fatalities.

This has been evident in the road death toll as at April 15, 2019, which is 18 compared to 14 for the same period last year.

Speeding is the most common cause of road accidents in Fiji.

Driving above the speed limit is a common practice for many motorists. The faster a vehicle travels, the longer it takes to slow down in the event of an obstacle.

Some of the other causes of road fatalities are drunk driving and getting distracted while driving.

To conclude, it is necessary to take precautions while driving and always follow road rules while on the road.

Those motorists who do not comply with the required standards and laws should not be allowed on roads and their licences must be revoked.

Trying to be smart

Dharmendra Kumar, Suva

I read a funny story about an antique dealer who was shopping in a hardware store.

He noticed the owner’s cat eating out of a bowl and recognised the bowl as a very valuable antique worth thousands of dollars.

Wanting to get a bargain without mentioning the value of the bowl, he told the owner, “I’d like to buy your cat. I’ll give you $20 for him.” The owner refused to sell until the antique dealer raised the price to $100, which he accepted.

The dealer then casually asked, “I assume I’ll get the bowl to go with the cat?”

The owner replied, “No. That’s my lucky bowl. I’ve sold thirty-four cats with it this week!”

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