CPC party secretary pays courtesy call to Fijian President

President Konrote hosts Scots Guards

THE Scots Guards were officially welcomed by the President Jioji Konrote at a reception at the State House today. Mr Konrote welcomed the regiment to Fiji and wished them well for the duration of their stay. The Scots Guards were part of the “Change of Guard” ceremony that included the Republic of the Fiji Military...

Bainimarama congratulates Modi on re-election

PRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has conveyed his heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his re-election this week. Mr Modi’s party secured 350 seats out of the total 542 seats, making him the third Indian Prime Minister to have retained power for a second term in the Indian political history. In a congratulatory letter...

Fiji’s mission in Brussels commended

FIJI’S Embassy in Brussels has been commended for the role it plays in strengthening Fiji’s multilateral and bilateral relations in Europe, especially in the areas of trade, agriculture, political development, and climate change. At a briefing yesterday to Minister for Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the European Union (EU) in Brussels Ambassador...

Means test to determine financial circumstances of residents

MEANS tests will be conducted to determine the financial circumstances of residents whose settlements are being formalised into proper subdivisions. Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Local Government, Housing and Community Development Premila Kumar met residents of Lovu, Tomuka and Delaisaweni in Lautoka and noted that the means test would assist them determine eligibility for receiving...

Newfound closeness between Fiji-Australia genuine and personal: PM

“THE newfound closeness between Fiji and Australia feels not only genuine but personal.” These were the words of Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainamarama while congratulating his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on winning the Australian Federal Elections. PM Bainimarama said Mr Morrisson’s visit to Fiji earlier this year was the start of a new partnership. “It...

Land lease issues at the fore of discussions

LAND lease issues are at the fore of discussions facilitated by Local Government and Housing Minister Premila Kumar in the Western Division today. She informed residents of Lovu in Lautoka this morning that the process of acquiring iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) had begun as the ministry had received a land development lease in 2017....

EFL justifies reason for proposed tariff increase

ENERGY Fiji Ltd (EFL) says it is asking for a 17.27 per cent tariff increase to keep the commercial statutory organisation abreast with inflation and to reflect the true electricity cost for Fiji. EFL is also asking for a review of electricity tariffs every four years. In its submission to the Fijian Competition and Consumer...

Report: Liquidity management crucial

A TIGHTER budget by the Government and better management of liquidity by the central bank has been recommended by a research report released by the ANZ Bank yesterday. The Pacific Economic Outlook 2019 states that the Government is expected to reign in expenditure to return to a stronger fiscal position to prepare itself for the...

Fiji chosen by ILO, says Cawaru

FIJI has been chosen by the International Labour Organization to be a pathfinder country for the Sustainable Development Goal alliance 8.7. Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations permanent secretary Osea Cawaru made the comment at the World Day Against Child Labour celebration for teachers and students in Nadi yesterday. “I am glad to announce...

Government clamps down on child labour

MORE than 230 children involved in child labour have been returned to school by Government, says Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations permanent secretary Osea Cawaru. He made the comment while speaking at the World Day Against Child Labour celebration for teachers and students in the Western Division in Nadi yesterday. Mr Cawaru said...

SODELPA: Inquiry into leaking of confidential party information

THE Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) is working on appointing an independent investigator to conduct an inquiry into the leaking of the party’s confidential information. This was revealed by the party’s acting president Anare Jale. Mr Jale said a few complaints and grievances were received by the party’s management board at last Friday’s meeting regarding...

Late Speaker of Parliament recognised as a true champion of health

THE late Speaker of Parliament Dr Jiko Luveni has been internationally recognised as a true champion of health, women empowerment and social welfare. This is after the Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Iferemi Waqainabete received the global health award on her behalf at the 72nd World Health Assembly in Geneva. According to a...

Rabuka presents petition to Guterres

OPPOSITION Leader Sitiveni Rabuka presented a petition to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres last week, describing its content as the “cry of the indigenous people of Fiji”. Signed by the Marama Bale Na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa and the Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, the 15-page petition, Mr Rabuka said, was aimed at...

Pigeon shooting season begins this Saturday

THE season for pigeon shooting commences this Saturday, confirms Agriculture Minister Mahendra Reddy. The season commences on May 25 to June 15 in accordance with Section 5 of the Birds and Game Protection Act Cap 170. “The ministry also advises that a person shall not take or kill more than five pigeons per day during...

More female graduates in 2016, a first for FNU

MORE than 1629 female graduates from the Fiji National University (FNU) in 2016 outnumbered the 1604 males who graduated in the same year. This was labelled as a first in the university’s history during discussions in Parliament on the Fiji National University 2016 annual report. Standing Committee on Social Affairs chairman Viam Pillay said the...

Shortage of counsellors in schools: Akbar

THERE is a shortage of qualified counsellors in schools, Education Minister Rosy Akbar told Parliament last week. In response to Opposition MP Salote Radrodro’s queries on the reasons for the shortage, Ms Akbar said higher education institutions were not providing enough qualifications for counselling, and students also showed little interest in the profession. She said...

Furore over forecast price; Karan to meet FSC officials

SUGAR Ministry permanent secretary Yogesh Karan is meeting Fiji Sugar Corporation officials this week to discuss concerns raised by canegrowers about the $53.69 per tonne forecast price for the 2019 season announced last week. “I will be meeting with the FSC senior management to discuss this and other issues including the concerns from the Fiji...

Farmers union demand payment answers

THE National Farmers Union has called on the Sugar Industry Tribunal to explain why the fourth cane payment had not been made. Union president Surendra Lal claimed the payment should be done four weeks before the start of the June 6 crushing date. With less than three weeks to go, he said farmers should have...

Nabou Green Energy Ltd is an independent firm: Usamate

NABOU Green Energy Ltd is an independent power producing plant that was supposed to supply 50 million units of electricity to Energy Fiji Ltd. While speaking in Parliament last week, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Utilities Jone Usamate explained the company produced less than 50 per cent of that quota before ceasing operations late...

Operational challenges cause of delay in Nadi hospital refurbishment

DELAYS in the $3.5million refurbishment of the Nadi Hospital has been attributed to challenges faced in keeping the facility operational while construction continues. This was the word from Health and Medical Services Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete. He made the comment while speaking in Parliament last week. Dr Waqainabete said works were now expected to be...

Kiwis advised of normal safety precautions while in Fiji

THE New Zealand government has advised its travelers to Fiji to exercise normal safety and security precautions. The New Zealand government website Safetravel stated that theft and assault had been reported by locals and tourists alike, with most occurring at night in the country’s urban centres. The advisory, now eased to normal, has advised New Zealanders to...

Boy, 13, shares climate concerns with UN Secretary-General

A YOUNG Fiji boy of German-descent is concerned about the rising impacts of climate change in the Pacific because the region has been home to him for the past 13 years. Daniel Graf, a Year 9 student of International School in Suva, caught everyone’s attention at a youth interactive session last week because of the...

No loss of jobs, medics assured

NO healthcare worker at the Lautoka Hospital will lose their job as a result of the private-public-partnership between Aspen Medical and Fijian Government . This was the assurance given by Fiji Hospital Project CEO Paul Dyer to members of the Fiji Medical Association yesterday as he explained the partnership would see the upgrade of the...

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