The Fiji Times » Opinion

Editorial comment – Keeping the focus on COVID-19

It’s interesting how things have changed over the months since the announcement of our first COVID- 19 case in Lautoka. As the pandemic continues to grip the world, we aren’t immune at all. On the international front, the CNN reports that China is just one of several countries trying to produce a vaccine for the...

Letters to the Editor: Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Suspension lifted, SODELPA’s back There was some joy for SODELPA supporters as the Registrar of Political Parties, Mohammed Saneem, announced the lifting of SODELPA’s suspension. Emele Duituturaga was confirmed as SODELPA’s new general secretary. Furthermore, the party’s acting president Vijay Singh and the acting vice presidents Ratu Epenisa Cakobau and Jone Lesuma issued a statement...

OPINION: Plant a better future

As the impacts of the COVID19 pandemic continues to reverberate, for Pacific Island countries such as Fiji, access to productive lands has meant that agriculture has again gained prominence as a potential powerhouse for livelihoods, food security and to stimulate economic growth. Reset Fiji focused on agriculture The panel provided a sobering analysis of the...

Editorial Comment: Exciting times for women’s soccer

The confirmation that the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand is like a breath of fresh air for soccer in the region. Scheduled for July and August, the event will shift the focus of attention on to our region. The fact that NZ are hosts means they have...

Letters to the Editor – Monday, June 29, 2020

Times on Kadavu The Fiji Times did a comprehensive coverage on the impact of TC Harold on the villagers of Kadavu. Sadly, many did not have accessibility to the newspaper. However, those dark days are bygone and after a lapse of ten years the villagers of Kadavu finally got to read their favourite and our...

Contemplating that return to school

As we count down the hours to the resumption of school for some of our students tomorrow, there is no doubt about the massive interest this is attracting. The resumption of classes comes with its challenges. It’s encouraging to note how stakeholders are all preparing to return to classes. Today, we read about how students...

Letters to the Editor – Sunday, June 28, 2020

Things we have to do to avoid potholes I know that I am flogging a dead horse but drivers are taking longer routes to avoid the really big potholes on our roads and in the process burn more fuel. I know because I do. Having good roads therefore have an indirect effect of cutting down...

Time for a reset

Yesterday a family was in mourning. This followed the discovery of a 14-year-old boy’s body in the Cunningham river in Suva yesterday. Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro confirmed the victim lived in Caubati, Nasinu, and had gone swimming with his friends when he disappeared. As a post-mortem examination is conducted to determine the cause of death,...

Surviving COVID-19

Greetings readers, this week I thought I might very briefly introduce you to a very well respected and revered global organisation that boasts more than seven million supporters and members throughout the world. The organisation is called Amnesty International and with the social media age it has made organisations such as this, a very powerful...

A bad rap in the press

The Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) and Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) have got a bad rap in the press. Press reports have claimed that meat workers hired under the PLS in Wagga Wagga and Inverell have been given accommodation that is too expensive (the former) and also substandard (the latter). Some SWP workers stranded in Tasmania...

Ratu Sukuna’s 1944 mission to Yacata

Part 3: This is the final article is on Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna’s visit to Yacata Island, Cakaudrove, in 1944 to tell villagers about the awarding of the Victoria Cross to Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu. It is based on a radio program delivered by Sir Len Usher through the Fiji Broadcasting Commission in the 1950s. He...

Voice of the people

Part 5: This is the final article based on letters written by A.J.C.Foster that appeared in The Fiji Times of April 8, 1959. There will be many who have to be convinced against their will or judgement.here is little more to be said on the subject of a change against someone’s will. I am...

Letters to the Editor – Saturday, June 27, 2020

Highlighting our daily struggles A big vinaka vakalevu to The Fiji Times for highlighting the daily struggles of our ordinary Fijians. Be it health issues, unhygienic standard of living, back to school struggles of parents or any other struggles that we can think of in these trying times that The Fiji Times has brought to...

Facing the reality of hard drugs

On this day last year, we discussed the issue of dealing with drug addicts. In fact it was topped by the frightening reality that we lacked knowledge about dealing with such people. The revelation by the officer-in-charge at the time at the Police Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) Drug Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Anare...

Letters to the Editor: Friday, June 26, 2020

Ailing roads Whatever explanation our Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) CEO Jonathan Moore gives will fall on deaf ears as there is a wide outcry to repair the state of our ailing roads. I hope we have an OHS team within FRA for some of our roads could be declared unfit. Can the Fiji Roads Authority...

OPINION: Report is not history

THE chair of USP Council, Winston Thompson, has airily dismissed media questions about the contents of the BDO Report, alleging that the BDO Report “is now history…. has now been dealt with and we need to give it a rest”. It is understandable that Winston Thompson might want to consign the BDO Report to the...

Editorial Comment: The good Samaritans

There are moments in time when the human spirit, and concern for a fellow human being, can be powerful reminders of just who we are in the greater scheme of things. When you slowly sift through stories of hardship, and consider the actions of people, it is hard not to be overwhelmed by emotions sometimes....

Opinion

Letters to the Editor – July 2, 2020