Nadi Town Traffic
Pranil Ram, Votualevu, Nadi
The authorities responsible in managing the traffic in Nadi town should stop the early morning rerouting without any prior notice.
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Why are they not using the media to inform us? How long are you going to trial? Enough of it. Please stop playing this game of trials.
Flooding Factor
Tomasi Boginiso, Nasinu.
Recent flooding in Nausori, Labasa and Nakasi Shopping centre, clearly was due to rubbish that blocked the drains.
Municipal Council should do drain checking especially at this time of the year.
Knowing the rainy season very well, municipal authorities should have plans in place knowing very well that this could be the outcome.
Vegetable stall hazards
Satish Nakched, Suva
The ever-growing area of Nasinu Municipality offers a lot of entrepreneurship opportunities to people to start small businesses, as the demand for vegetable stalls are in huge demand.
The vegetable stalls cluster are mainly concentrated in the most populous or high traffic area that allows the people to quickly buy from the comfort of their vehicles and move on. The prices are reasonably cheap and there are varieties of produce to choose from.
Most of the vendors built themselves a makeshift shelter that are constructed using waste timber and tree branches. A proper shelter can be subjected to overnight theft of building materials.
These ad hoc structures normally have corrugated iron used as the roof and the side walls are temporarily nailed together.
The materials have no value and the chances are very minimum to be vandalised.
However, it was noted that during the weekend of the recent Cyclone Mona the stalls in Nadera were deserted and the vendors completely ignored threats of the strong gusts and did not dismantle their stalls for public safety.
A few pieces of the corrugated iron sheets became airborne and landed on the road about fifty metres from its origin that luckily missed the vehicles and the people on the road.
I believe that the municipality concerned has recently given notice to the vendors to move into the new Laqere Market and many are eagerly looking forward to the better facilities.
But the fact is that when this group of people move, there are others waiting to take and start their business from these lucrative roadside sites that will provide the same level of risk to the general public during adverse weather conditions.
There are no restrictions or conditions implemented by the council concerned to discourage such activities, but they promote and engage anyone to do this as long as they pay fees.
Should any serious injury or fatality arise from the roadside, flying debris, then I believe the liability shifts to the municipality concerned, as they have authorised and received payment from the vendors to operate within their jurisdiction from facilities that do not comply with the National Building Code of Fiji or the Town Planning Act 139.
This issue was previously raised without any feedback or action taken but hopefully the new Minister can address the issue.
Top 10
Tukai Lagonilakeba, Namaka, Nadi.
Yes, in the world arena, realistically we are punching above our weight. It is an amazing feat and accomplishment from the leader of a small island nation in the South Pacific group who is rated amongst the top ten brass of Global Thinkers from the UN and the Commonwealth.
This is apart from his many first-time achievements in the United Nations Assembly where he was appointed Chairman and President to three of its world acclaimed UN Bodies namely G77+ China, UNs Inter- national Sugar Forum and the COP23.
No Fijian leader from our history including that of the South Pacific had ever achieved the same post-independence where the whole country should be very proud with, it is an endorsement of Statesmanship, far-sighted, brave and bold.
That is a deserving revelation of his achievements and the deep respect they have for him. From the UN with Commonwealth member countries who accord him such accolades for his contribution both here at home, and in the world in making the world a better place for future custodians.
Our PM had acknowledged the immense contribution our COP 23 team Fiji for the ratings which our country has immensely and positively benefited from, although our Opposition political parties do not have full respect or appreciation for, but which is widely accepted in our Fijian
communities here, who voted him back overwhelmingly in our 2018 election.
The ratings in the Foreign Policy American based magazine for those top ‘10 Global Thinkers’ on the planet is widely accepted and is official, Mr Bainimarama is recognised with the other elites from around the globe where the criteria are one; only for those world leaders who talk the talk and walk their talk.
To which registers and certainly speaks volume of the man, his family upbringing, character, qualification with his religious belief, but most importantly our PM was chosen on merit from an internationally acclaimed independent magazine and its panels.
That is something we must be proud of one’s political affiliation and I do hope the Opposition Leader Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka will be the first to acknowledge his PM as a fellow Fijian with his members to congratulate the achievement in parliament during their February session.
It is a first for Fiji and warrants the attention of the College of Honours from His Excellency the President Jioji Konrote to bestow our PM a Medal of the Highest order of Fiji.
Australia Day
Neelz Singh, Lami
Australia Day was on January 26 and commemorates the establishment of the first European settlement at Port Jackson, now part of Sydney, in 1788. Australia Day is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed in Australia.
Many people have a day off work and use the day among other things to barbecue, go to outdoor concerts, and to play or watch sports events. Different places in Australia celebrate the day differently. For example, Sydney has boat races including a ferry race and the tall ships race, while Adelaide celebrates with a parade, concert, fireworks, and a cricket match.
Australian citizenship ceremonies are often held on Australia Day. These are ceremonies to welcome immigrants who have been granted citizenship to the country. Although official, these ceremonies often have a festive atmosphere.
Fiji plays a vital role with our close neighbour Australia and a recent visit of the Australian Prime Minister to Fiji has strengthened ties and support with AusAid programmes and trade between the two countries.
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