Review of disaster legislation and plans needed: Seruiratu

ZAFIYA SHAMIM
suva
Our geographical isolation will not limit our efforts to reduce climate and disaster risk influences, says the Minister for National Disaster Management, Lieutenant-Colonel Inia Seruiratu.
He was speaking during the sixth session of the Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management and the 20th Regional Disaster Management meeting at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay Hotel yesterday.
“The theme ‘The Way Forward: Climate and Disaster Resilient Development for the Pacific’ harmonises progress in our collective attempts to enhance disaster and climate resilience through collective efforts,” Mr Seruiratu said.
He said for Fiji, the renewed drive on climate and disaster risk management and the push for sustainable development goals had reprioritised their focus not to make haste in the review of their current disaster legislation and plans.
Mr Seruiratu said they would continue to focus on sustainable development goals to create an enabling and successful environment for the people.
zafiya.shamim@fijisun.com.fj

Officers reminded to find family time during hectic career

Police Commissioner Bernadus Groenewald (second from right) with participants during the Corporal’s Quality Course (CQC) at the Police Academy in Nasova, Suva.

Minister Jone Usamate says claims by PDP leader are false

The Minister for Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Jone Usamate.

The Minister for Labour, Jone Usamate, has rubbished claims made by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on unemployment figures in the country.
Mr Usamate has called on the PDP to be truthful.
He also clarified that 33,000 people had registered with the National Employment Centre. When the centre tried contacting those registered they could only get in touch with 12,000 people.
Out of this 12,000 people, 47 per cent had found employment already many others had either started their own businesses, returned to school or were doing volunteer work with some organisations.
Mr Usamate said data collated over 2010/2011 showed a drop in unemployment rate compared to the 2007 rate of 8.7 per cent.
He said it was also important to note the economic growth the country has seen over the last four years and to understand what that meant.
“Economic growth means more businesses opening up, which means more jobs being created. The Reserve Bank of Fiji also keeps track of all job advertisements and an increase in that has also been noted,” Mr Usamate said.
“From my point of view, these people need to be truthful. The NEC is not just for graduates. Anyone can go and register with them.”
During a press conference yesterday, the PDP called for an investigation into the National Employment Centre, citing disappointing unemployment figures.
Party leader Felix Anthony said whether the figures were 83,000 or 33,000 the numbers were still excessive and unacceptable.
“It must be understood that these are people who have registered, who have chosen to register and go on $50 a week as an attaché,” Mr Anthony said.
“These are not people who are qualified, who have skills, who are unemployed and there are thousands of our people who have chosen not to register because the NEC does not cater for their needs, it caters for more young people who are unemployed.”
This was strongly refuted by Mr Usamate.
Mr Anthony said they had received complaints of attaches not being paid Government subsidies. He said the figures did not address the country’s unemployment issue.

Next year’s event planned to be bigger
LITIA MATHEWSELL
sigatoka
It may be a small town but the national contributions of various people from Sigatoka were on the spotlight as many gathered last Saturday to mark the town’s 78th anniversary.
While addressing the crowd, the acting Minister for Local Government, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, said it was a sense of belonging that builds any town, any city and any country.
“It is also very important to have a sense of loyalty to where you come from and it is very important that as Fijians, not only have loyalty to Sigatoka if you come from Sigatoka but we must all be loyal to our country – it is only that way that our country will progress.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum also paid homage to the services of special administrator, Jay Whyte, who took up the post on a voluntary basis.
The Attorney-General also noted the importance for any country to move with the times. He said they would put in place some significant changes in the law to ensure that Sigatoka Town progressed.
Prior to a luminous fireworks display that lit up the skyline, the town council presented inaugural community awards to five outstanding residents.
These included Bob Kennedy and Lanieta Matavesi for their service to the people of Sigatoka. Fiji Rugby Union board member and sportsman, Tiko Matawalu and Paralympics gold medallist, Iliesa Delana, took home the inaugural sports awards.
The event’s planner, Rajnel Prasad, said the surging crowd amounted to nearly 10,000 people and they were planning an even bigger event for the town’s 79th anniversary next year.
Feedback: litiam@fijisun.com.fj

LITIA MATHEWSELL
nadi
The Foundation for the Education of Needy Children in Fiji (FENC Fiji) plans to increase the number of students at their community learning centres in Fiji.
As of April 30, 1002 in the Central, Western and Northern divisions are benefiting from these 87 learning centres, which offer remedial classes for students that do not hold scholarships with FENC Fiji.
The registered trust has provided 970 students with scholarships this year and notes that with Government’s new education scheme, they are looking at increasing the number of beneficiaries.
“Of the 970 students, 883 were supported with school supplies while 87 were supported through the tutorials at the community learning centers,” FENCE Fiji confirmed in a statement.
It says 541 beneficiaries are at primary school level, with 338 attending secondary schools and four students at special schools.
A few are now at different universities in Fiji. Some others have moved on to be income earners and are supporting their families financially. These stories are indications that the work by the foundation is contributing to the improvement of the life of the poorest of the poor families that we support.”
Support from private donors, Government and the corporate sector have allowed FENC Fiji to provide 4882 scholarships since 2010.
Feedback: litiam@fijisun.com.fj

Selected secondary school students to learn from Rebecca Lloyd
zafiya shamim
suva
Fiji Airways and Film Fiji launched the Fiji Airways Art Competition as part of the 2014 Film Fiji Kula Film Awards to promote artistic creativity in secondary school students.
Fiji Airways’ managing director and chief executive, Stefan Pichler, said the talents of young Fijians were not limited to the classroom or the sports fields.
“We know there’s genuine passion and creativity for visual arts and we are happy to lend our support,” Mr Pichler said
He said Film Fiji was doing an excellent work to introduce students to video production and dance art skills and the art competition would complement this.
Film Fiji’s acting chief executive officer, Florence Swamy, said developing the local creative industry was important.
“We want to nurture the interest of young Fijians towards the creative arts and to the many opportunities available through the development of inherent talents,” Ms Swamy said.
She said the shortlisted students and the selected finalists would attend an educational art workshop instructed by painter and artist, Rebecca Lloyd.
Ms Lloyd said the competition was designed to not only get students to show their artistic skills on canvas but it would teach them to promote their work before an audience.
“The ability to market your artwork is important as the ability to create it,” Ms Lloyd said.
The Fijiwood Dance Competition will be held on July 25 and the Film Fiji Kula Film Awards on July 26 at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva.
Feedback: zafiya.shamim@fijisun.com.fj

farisha ahmed
suva
Republic of Fiji Military Forces Logistics Support Unit is relieved with the continuous commitment of schools having passing-out parade.
Last Friday Lieutenant-Colonel Isoa Loanakadavu was chief guest at the Vunisea Secondary School passing-out parade in Kadavu.
He thanked the students, teachers and parents of the school for continuing their commitment to a school tradition which has brought about many worthwhile and life changing experiences to its students.
Lieutenant-Colonel Loanakadavu, a former scholar of Vunisea Secondary, went on behalf of the Commander Republic of Fiji Military Forces, who is touring the Middle East.
“Everyone has indeed contributed a huge effort to produce a fine display of team bonding, and team work through the individual brilliance during the cadet training,” Lieutenant-Colonel Loanakadavu said.
“I am confident that you will take away with you qualities and values from the school that will enable you to fulfill your dreams and contribute your best to specific aspirations and to the nation as a whole.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Loanakadavu said the parade was a distinctive display of excellence and hard work through vigorous training.
“As you pass-out today remember that you are commencing on a exciting journey into the future,” Lieutenant-Colonel Loanakadavu said.
“Be proud citizens and make your country proud.”
Feedback: zafiya.shamim@fijisun.com.fj

Association not aware of any condition reported by media
farisha ahmed
suva
The Fiji Nursing Association is not aware of any condition being published in the recent reports of nurse’s recruitment being halted.
Last week one of the media companies had reported that the Fijian Government had halted the recruitment of local nurses for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) health sector. The report stated the Fiji’s UAE Ambassador based in Abu Dhabi, Robin Nair, had said the decision to halt the recruitment, stemmed from a requirement that nurses had to travel to the Emirates and sit for a test before they were hired.
Ambassador Nair said: “We asked them if they could allow them to take that test in Fiji to give them the opportunity to come across.”
In an email, Mr Nair said many nursing jobs were available in the UAE and the Embassy wanted the Fijian nurses to have the opportunity to apply for these jobs if they wish.
“We have been working to persuade The Health Authority of Abu Dhabi to offer these exams in Fiji as large government hospitals are prepared to employ Fijians,” he said.
“In the meantime, we are working with a very large hospital in Abu Dhabi to accept the qualifications of our Fijians without the need to sit the exams.”
Nursing association general secretary Salanieta Matiavi said they were unaware of this recent report.
“UAE is still recruiting nurses it has not stopped but I am not aware of the conditions that Mr Nair is talking about and whether the Government has actually halted recruitment,” Ms Matiavi said.
“The recruitment agencies deal with individual nurses and not through the association and as for exams ILETS test is done in Fiji.”
Feedback: farisha.ahmed@fijisun.com.fj

Poor condition of buses cause of licence suspension
LITIA MATHEWSELL
ba
Poor running conditions have resulted in a bus company’s entire fleet being grounded by the Land Transport Authority in Ba.
Empire Buses (Ba) Limited general manager Raveen Lal confirmed that a suspension letter was delivered by the LTA at 4.30pm on Monday, citing poor running conditions of their 19 buses. He said they were earlier issued a defect order notice on April 14 and that their licence was suspended again on April 27.
‘’A team from the LTA checked our buses again last Friday and said we really improved the condition from April. However, they did not give us a defect notice and then came yesterday (Monday) and suspended our licence for three months,’’ Mr Lal said.
A number of residents from Naidrodro, one of the areas serviced, complained to the Fiji Sun of the sudden halt in services, saying it had greatly inconvenienced school students and workers.
A resident said while the route licence may have been given to another bus company, Naidrodro residents were yet to receive public transport.
Areas serviced by Empire Buses include Clopcott, Bangladesh, Tauvegavega, Vatulaulau, Vutuni and Wailagi.
With buses grounded at their depot, Mr Lal said they had to send their drivers home, straining the livelihood of close to 30 drivers and mechanics. When contacted, Sher Ali Khan Transport said they were awaiting consent from the LTA before operating on the routes previously serviced by Empire Buses.
LTA spokesperson Iliesa Sokia said the issue would be discussed at management level before they release an official statement.
Feedback: litiam@fijisun.com.fj

zafiya shamim
suva
The driver of a bus involved in an incident which landed 22 people in hospital has been discharged from the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.
This has been confirmed by Fiji Police Force Traffic Division Director, Senior Superintendent of Police Mahesh Mishra, who says investigations into the Kubukawa Road, Kalabu, accident are continuing and they were yet to interview the driver.
“The bus driver, Attar Ali, had been discharged from hospital. Mr Ali is still on medication and we will question him once he has fully recovered,” he said.
SSP Mishra said they were conducting an in depth investigation.
“We will ensure that we get to the root cause of the accident,” SSP Mishra said.
SSP Mishra said it was the responsibility of all public service vehicles operators to ensure regular maintenance and servicing of vehicles.
He said bus operators and drivers should always conduct regular checks of their buses before they provide services on a particular route.
“We will take action once the investigation is completed,” SSP Mishra said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has confirmed that one patient is still recovering at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital while the rest were sent home.
Several attempts by this newspaper to obtain a comment from the Raiwaqa Buses Company director Ashok Kumar were unsuccessful.
Feedback: zafiya.shamim@fijisun.com.fj

TALEBULA KATE
suva

Rabindar Singh outside the Suva Magistrate yesterday. Photo: Ronald Kumar

PM: We will not only fly our flag here in Geneva but also that of our Pacific island brothers and sisters
maika bolatiki
suva
Fiji is now the only Pacific small island developing state with a direct presence in Geneva.
This message was relayed yesterday by the Prime Minister, Rear Admiral (Retired) Voreqe Bainimarama, to invited guests at the opening of the Fiji Mission for the Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and the Fiji Embassy in Switzerland.
“With our presence here, we will clearly be in a better position to have our own views heard and contribute directly in these various forums – to add to the global debate as a thriving and increasingly influential Pacific Small island State,” Mr Bainimarama said.
“We will not only fly our flag here in Geneva but also that of our Pacific island brothers and sisters.”
He said Fiji was not just a visitor but a resident with a special articulate voice to contribute in the form of its new Representative and Ambassador, Nazhat Shameem, a former High Court judge and one of Fiji’s most distinguished citizens.
“I wish her every success as she embarks on her new mission.”
As a matter of interest he said Ms Shameem was Fiji’s first substantive female head of mission.
“This mission will also be our first mission where the top three positions will be filled by women.”
In addition to forging stronger relationships with the UN agencies, the Prime Minister said Fiji planned to forge a new and strong relationship with Switzerland.
He said Fiji was also looking to expand its trading relationship with Switzerland in particular and Europe in general and canvas those opportunities in the months and years ahead.
He thanked the Swiss government for its generous assistance in helping Fiji to set up this mission.
“We have been struck not only by the renowned Swiss efficiency in the way that assistance has been delivered but with the warmth that has been showed to our delegation.”
On Fiji’s relationship with the UN he said it was growing stronger by the year.
Fiji’s main avenue of service is its proud contribution over more than three decades to United Nations peacekeeping missions around the world.
The Prime Minister also assured the invited guests that Fiji’s first ever genuinely democratic election in its nation’s history will be held on September 17.
For the first time, he adds this election would be conducted on the universal democratic principle of equal votes of equal value instead of the skewered system employed in the past.
Also present representing the Swiss government was the Deputy Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs as well as Acting Director General of the United Nations Office in Geneva, Michael Moller.

Feedback: maikab@fijisun.com.fj

NAISA KOROI

In the build-up to this month’s Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF), nations continue to register their attendance.
The PIDF secretariat has received confirmation that Morocco, Venezuela and Israel have now joined Singapore, Kazakhstan, Kuwait and Georgia amongst non-regional countries confirming attendance.
Scheduled to take place at the Sheraton Fiji Resort on Denarau Island, Nadi, from June 18 to 20, the meeting will be opened by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
The theme of this year’s summit will be “Green Growth in the Pacific: Building Resilient Sustainable Futures and Genuine Partnerships”.
The Summit provides a unique, distinctive and inclusive opportunity for the leaders and representatives of the public sector, private sector and civil society of the Pacific small island developing countries and territories to dialogue and take ownership of their problems, decisions and actions to address their special development needs in their pursuit for inclusive and sustainable development.
Testifying to the PIDF’s growing support, the director-general of the Melanesian Spearhead Group Secretariat in Vanuatu, Peter Forau, welcomed the formal establishment of the PIDF and looked forward to attending the Nadi meeting.
He congratulated the Fijian Government for successfully establishing the PIDF Secretariat formally only a year after its conception.
“This is a milestone achievement for the region and demonstrates Fiji’s commitment to providing a mechanism for strengthening regional solidarity on regional issues in the global and international discourses,” he said in a statement.
He congratulated Feleti Teo for his appointment as the PIDF’s interim secretary general and the staff of the PIDF Secretariat.
He said the establishment of the PIDF was timely because it provided a necessary, holistic and inclusive mechanism for the Pacific to discuss and create direct partnerships with the United Nations on key development issues.
He said there were no mechanisms in place to allow direct partnership from this region to the United Nations.
“Pacific island countries can now stand together on Green Growth and Sustainable Development issues hence PIDF fills this gap,” he said.
Mr Forau confirmed that the MSG Secretariat was working on developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalise its working relations with the PIDF.
This year’s summit builds on the outcomes and the mandate of the inaugural meeting last year to enable green growth in the Pacific and to consolidate genuine partnerships between governments, private sector and civil society in the pursuit of inclusive and sustainable development.
The meeting last year attracted more than 300 stakeholders from more than 40 countries, with 14 of them from the Pacific.

Justice Madigan will deliver his judgment tomorrow at 10am
TALEBULA KATE
Suva

Inoke Raikadroka and Mohammed Sheefaz Jameer Sagaitu were yesterday found guilty of human trafficking.
They were remanded into custody by the High Court in Suva.
The three trial assessors unanimously found the duo guilty on all the charges.
Raikadroka also known as Kiki was found guilty on two counts of slavery and five counts of domestic trafficking while Sagaitu (Margie) was found guilty of two counts domestic trafficking.
They appeared before Justice Paul Madigan and were found guilty of trafficking two girls aged 16 and 17 and their older sister between Suva and Nadi from May to December 2012.
Earlier in the day defence lawyers Jeremaia Savou, Romanu Vananalagi and state lawyer Lisiate Fotofili made closing submissions.
Savou who had represented Raikadroka limited his closing submission to the charges that his client was facing.
He said that Raikadroka in his evidence said that the sisters wanted to be with him as they wanted to be in the sex trade.
He added that they weren’t disallowed to move freely. He said they moved to Raiwai to rent there, not for sexual services.
He said that Raikadroka only acted as an agent and not as a pimp.
Mr Vananalagi in his submission had likened his client as a Good Samaritan – in the sense that he provided basic necessities for the sisters such as food, home and clothing.
“They became a family and their goal was to survive,” he said.
He said that the sisters had called his client in the middle of the night and early in the morning to arrange for clients for sexual services.
He added that the decision of the assessors was important considering that the case was of public interest as it is a first of its kind in Fiji.
Mr Fotofili while making his submission said that the evidence against the accused was overwhelming.
He also stated that the Good Samaritan was not the parable to use in this case.

Feedback: talebulak@fijisun.com.fj

TALEBULA KATE
Suva
Charges against Daniel Urai and Jagath Karunaratne have been consolidated.
Urai is charged with urging political violence against the Government, while Karunaratne is alleged to be part of the group behind the anti- government graffiti in Suva in August 2012.
The matter was called for mention on Tuesday at the Suva Magistrates Court before Magistrate Hettiwattege Somaratne.
The State served a copy of the consolidated charge to the defence counsel for the first accused, Urai, and informed the court that disclosures would be served to the address of service of the defence counsel.
The state lawyer also informed the court that disclosures to the second accused, Karunaratne, had already been served.
They have been excused from attending court on the next mention date on July 17.
talebulak@fijisun.com.fj

Driving School association president, Deo Narayan. Photo: Varanisese Nasilasila

The Land Transport Authority will not be conducting driving tests from its office in Lami, Sports City in Suva, and Nausori but from headquarters in Valelevu, Nasinu.
The reason for the temporary closure is due to the growing complaints of middle man who are allegedly issuing driving licence illegally.
Land Transport Authority manager standard Isikeli Kama said they have received written complaints about middleman being involved.
“We have received complaints while conducting our audits about people posing as middleman taking away hefty sums of money from clients promising them to get them their licence,” Mr Kama said.
“We will try and identify these middlemen and also keep a close eye on their examiners.”
He said they have taken some action on examiners who were allegedly bribed by middlemen to assist them.
The LTA is now implementing the service closure at the named offices.
Fiji Driving School Association president Deo Narayan agreed with the decision made by the LTA.
“There are so many corruption involved, especially with these middlemen and examiners who are involved in these illegal actions,” Mr Narayan alleged.
Mr Deo and his members have approved of these actions but wish that the temporary closure will re-open soon.
The authority is now urging the public to pay fees through them and follow the right procedures and not pay any middlemen.
varanisese.nasilasila@fijisun.com.fj

LITIA MATHEWSELL
tavua

With at least 60 people dying each year from rheumatic heart disease (RHD), warnings on this killer has pilfered down to primary and secondary school students through the launch of a national awareness campaign.
Students from Tavua and Vatukoula were among those who took an active role in shedding awareness through an oratory contest at Tavua District Secondary School on Tuesday.
The programme was conducted by final year students from the Fiji School of Medicine and emphasised one of the early warning signs of possible RHD, specifically that ‘a sore throat can kill’.
“The programme is an endeavor undertaken by final-year medical students focusing on the disease for their research paper and encompasses the core preventative measures that can greatly reduce the existence of streptococcal sore throat,” explained Kunal Kumar, a medical student and trainee intern at the Tavua Hospital.
“It is the ordinary sore throat caused by this particular bacterium that if left untreated can develop in Rheumatic Fever. Valves within the heart are vulnerable to this infection as well; and may resultantly complicate into RHD.”
Sub-divisional medical officer Dr Kinisimere Talei also highlighted the importance of prompt medical care for such sore throats, and health inspectors were also present to demonstrate effective proper hand washing and hygiene.
Feedback: litiam@fijisun.com.fj

by Jyoti
Pratibha

Building a
better Fiji
An $8 million mall type complex is in the pipeline for Nadi and the investment is being done by a returning Fijian.
Major paperwork for the project has been completed and once again Investment Fiji and the office of the Commissioner Western have received praise for their ever efficient assistance.
Yet some still try to insist nothing is being done in the country.

Chief puts party first
Some interesting news seems to be coming our way about the lukewarm reception one party received in the West from a Chief. We hear that the Chief made it clear to the party head where his priorities lie and that support would be with FijiFirst.

A cocktail to savour
Biggest cocktail ever made in Fiji? Yeps, one our Mamanuca resorts is embarking on a mission to outshine the GPH’s grand Swiss roll with the biggest cocktail ever to be made in Fiji.
We hear that some of the best liquor from around the country is being sought for this venture.

Tourism move
If what we hear is true, one of the resorts along the Coral Coast will be losing its top man to another of our rather famous resorts in the outer islands. Expect the move to take place next month.
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

farisha ahmed
suva

The Land Transport Authority has handed its investigation report of the Raiwaqa bus involved in the Kubukawa, Nasinu accident last week to the Police.
LTA chief executive officer Naisa Tuinaceva confirmed this saying the Police would now look into the matter.
“We have done our part and now it is with the Police so we will leave it to that,” Mr Tuinaceva said.
Earlier this week, the LTA had revealed that the bus involved in the accident was given a defect order, which was ignored, two days prior to the accident.
The bus was issued a defect order on Monday (26/5/14) for a malfunctioning hand brake. The accident took place on Wednesday, May 28.
“The bus should have been grounded for repairs but that did not happen. When we see a bus on road not in proper condition we give them orders and this bus was also ordered to go and ground the service, fix the problem and return to LTA for approval to run on the road again,” he said.
“We will leave it with the police now and would not make any other comments on this.”
Feedback: farisha.ahmed@fijisun.com.fj