Fiji Focus Vol 2 Issue 5

www.fiji.gov.fj
Vol. 2
Slow
but
sure
steps
No. 5
GOVERNMENT ministries
and agencies must take greater
ownership of programmes on the
implementation of the People’s
Charter for Change, Peace and
Progress.
Permanent secretary in the Prime
Minister’s Office Lieutenant Colonel
Pio Tikoduadua made the comments
ahead of the imminent release of the
2010 final quarter implementation
report on the charter.
The Prime Minister Commodore
Voreqe Bainimarama, as the first
reporting authority, will soon gauge
how ministries are faring.
Strategic Framework for Change
Coordinating office deputy secretary,
Captain Edward Tunidau said the
compilation of the 2010 last quarter
report was being finalised before it
was submitted to the PM.
The SFCCO quarterly reports
entail the finer details of the
implementation of the Strategic
Framework for Change and
coordination for all government
ministries and departments.
“The 2010 report is almost
finalised now and the Prime Minister
will be briefed on this as he is our
first reporting authority,” Captain
Tunidau said.
Ministries will be individually
DIRECTOR
UPDATED
ON
REFORMS
MORE ON PAGE 3
March 12, 2011
A
BE TTE R
assessed and those that don’t meet
targets will be debriefed and directed
to perform better.
“We are taking every ministry’s
case on its own merit and we’ll
debrief them on it and look at
areas of strengths and weakness
and get them to improve their
performance. This year there is a
much greater demand on ministries,
particularly for those that have to
execute Government’s capital works
programme,” Lt. Col Tikoduadua
said.
“It was $250m last year and this
year it is double that – there is a
need to actually make them take
ownership of the plan of work that
Government has set for the ministry.
“Government has resourced it
and so they need to take it forward
according to what Government
expects them to do.
“It’s important that Government’s
work on implementing the charter
is dependent on how we implement
Government’s development
programme, particularly capital
works so if the implementation is
weak then obviously the tempo on
the implementation of the charter
becomes weaker too.
“Those that do achieve the targets
will be recognised.”
F I J I ,
F O R
YO U
A N D
FIJI FOCUS
F O R
ME
12th March 2011
Indonesian Elections Commissioner Dr Aziz Ahmad shows a sample of an Indonesian
ballot paper during a public lecture at USP.
Expert promotes one-day voting
FIJI has the capacity to conduct
a one-day general elections
according to the Prime Minister’s
office.
Permanent secretary Lieutenant
Colonel Pio Tikoduadua said
because of parallels that existed
between Fiji and Indonesia, where
one-day elections were held, the
system could work in Fiji.
However, how Fiji actually
goes about holding elections
should be entirely influenced by
local circumstances.
“Well this system is the one
we are intending to adopt, the
one man, one vote – commonly
referred to as the common roll,”
he said.
“Right now I think there is
capacity to do it in one day but
we just need to put our mind to it,
STOP
VIOLENCE
AGAINST
WOMEN
MORE ON PAGE 4
we are definitely smaller in size
and I think there is enough ideas
around to help us do it in one day,
irrespective of how we plan to
vote.”
Recently, the Indonesian
Election Commissioner Dr
Aziz Ahmad briefed the Fijian
Government on the processes
of one day voting. Dr Ahmad
recommended the system for Fiji.
“Fiji can have similar system in
place because there are not many
people,” Dr Ahmad told members
of the public during a presentation
at the University of the South
Pacific Laucala Campus.
“Fiji does not even have a
million people, nor does it have
as many islands as Indonesia so I
believe it’s possible to carry out
voting in one day here.”
Indonesia has a population of
more than 171 million people
when compared to about 900, 000
for Fiji.
“For a first time, I think Fiji
must use the one full day because
the concept is still new but for us
in Indonesia, we have elections
from 7am to 1pm,” Dr Ahmed
said.
“People need to be aware of
who they are voting for so there is
no manipulation.
“There needs to be a lot of
awareness for people before
elections D-Day comes.”
Previously, Fiji’s elections
system encouraged voting on
political and racial lines. The
new system will stop this to allow
people to voting on issues and to
choose their representatives.
OBSERVERS
TO CHECK
OUT MSG
SUMMIT
MORE ON PAGE 9
Ministry of Information, National Archives & Library Services of Fiji
Civil Service Excellence Award Winner - www.fiji.gov.fj
1
www.fiji.gov.fj
FIJI FOCUS
CORRESPONDENCE
Women
as equal
partners
THE important role and
contribution of women in
development and nation
building cannot be over
emphasised.
Prime Minister
Commodore
Bainimarama’s message
during International
Women’s Day celebration
Sharon Smith-Johns.
at Raralevu Park in
Permanent Secretary
for Information, National
Nabouwalu, Bua shows
Archives and Library
Government is concerned
Services of Fiji
about women in urban areas
and the plight of rural and disadvantaged women.
The theme for this year’s International
Women’s Day is; “Equal access to education,
training, science and technology - pathway to
decent work for women”.
And Government’s proactive stance will
ensure equal access to education, science and
technology is available to every girl child through
tertiary level scholarships plus other initiatives
such as transport subsidy, provision of free text
books and equal employment opportunities.
The construction of women centers in 14
provinces and semi-urban settlements will
be hubs to establish the infrastructure for the
empowerment of women in rural areas through
leadership and management skills programme. There is a clear committment to advance
interests of women, including the promotion of
their increased representation in higher councils,
in the public service, business community and
assistance to improve their living standards.
Fiji’s target of having 30 per cent
representation of women on all boards and
committees is progressing gradually.
At community level, since 2008, more than
300 women, mostly in rural areas, became
members of Hospital Boards. This introduced
them to sitting at decision making bodies.
There is also appreciation of the enormous
contribution, women, both individually and
collectively make in community development and
nation building. So all stakeholders must continue
to actively support them in this role.
Government ‘s policies on women are now
incorporated into the second Women’s Plan of
Action (2010-2019) Specific programmes have
included into the government’s road map and
2011 Budget will assist women, in particular the
disadvantaged, in fields of business, health and
education.
The establishment of the Fiji Women’s
Federation, will allow coordination and the
implementation of the Plan of Action by all
stakeholders, including women’s NGOs and
faith-based organisations. FWF will provide an
advisory role to the minister concerned.
Promotion of small and micro-enterprises is a
key strategy to provide employment opportunities.
The Integrated Human Resource Development is
an initiative aimed at creating greater opportunity
for employment with specific component targeting
women.
The Ministry of Women is making all efforts to
ensure equitable development. The ministry in
partnership with All China Women’s Federation
donated more than 400 sewing machines to
women’s groups. And its minister, Dr Jiko Luveni
has visited 81 villages and communities to meet
women and address their concerns.
With commitment and strong effective
partnerships, empowerment of women can be
realised.
Much of Fiji’s progress over the past years
is also accredited to the collective efforts of
Government, NGOs and community-based
organisations, regional and international bodies.
Equal distribution of power and decisionmaking at all levels is a prerequisite to the
empowerment of women.
Fiji is committed to this and its attainment.
2
Tourism Honours PM
Dear Editor
I was very surprised to read that
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe
Banimarama and the AttorneyGeneral Aiyaz Saiyed Khaiyum were
honoured at the AON tourism awards
last week but I totally agree with the
judges verdict.
Over the past years, Prime
Minister Commodore Bainimarama
has been at the forefront of the
development of the tourism industry
in the country. He convinced Cabinet
that tourism get increased funds for
marketing and now we are seeing the
fruits of this marketing budget.
In fact , the whole industry has
rallied behind the Prime Minister
and worked hard to get the industry
where it is now but we should not
be complacent as this has happened
before.
The Tourism industry is providing
jobs to many people and we should
all work together to continue to
promote the industry.
Prem Singh
Nadi
Frustrated Citizens
Dear Editor
I read the article on the Social Welfare
giving assistance to the poor people
And it is good that a lot are
receiving help from the Government. I
think there are a lot who still need help
and more information should be given
through the media so that people can
seek help.
There are so many people in the
remote areas of Lautoka and Nadi who
have filled the form at the offices in
these areas yet they have not received
any help.
Whenever they go to check in the
offices they are told the forms have
gone to Suva and when it comes back
they will get the help. It is already six
months and the forms have not come
back. I want to know how this system
works.
The officers who are paid to do
the job are not doing what they are
supposed to and the poor are made
to suffer. I request the relevant
authorities to pull up their socks and
speed up the process and stop making
the poor people run to their offices only
to find their forms are still in process.
Selvin Chandra
Nadi
Role of Provincial Boards
Dear Editor
THE article in the Fiji Focus of
February 26 regarding the provincial
boards has a lot of merit.
The Provincial Development
permanent secretary Manasa Vaniqi
says the role of provincial boards is
apolitical and but more strategic. This
is true only in theory but not practiced.
He said that provincial
boards would be consulted for all
developments to be implemented in
the province but who are the people
on the provincial boards and how
can the people be assured that people
appointed as board members will truly
bring the projects that are genuinely
needed by people. I would like to
question Mr Vaniqi the selection
criteria of these board members. Were
these positions advertised and the most
merit candidate selected.
I would like to attention one of
the quotes by the Prime Minister
Commodore Bainimarama which was
highlighted in the Publishers note:
“Government may formulate policies,
plans and programmes but in the final
analysis it is the people, you, who
are responsible for what happens in
our nation. It is you who make peace,
progress and prosperity and harmony
in our country and we should all work
together to continue to build a better
Fiji for all.”
Mr Vaniqi, please get the right
people so that we can all work together
to build a better Fiji.
Jone Koroi
Labasa
Farmers Concern
Dear Editor
THANK you very much for your
article in the Fiji Focus of February 26
which highlighted farmers concerns.
These sugarcane farmers are living
between Cuvu and Sugatoka and have
requested government assistance for
their sugar cane farms.
One may recall this area was once
a thriving sugar cane production area
where more that 200,000 tonnes of
cane was harvested annually but due
to the Government’s inability to assist
farmers to transport their cane to the
mill , sugar cane farming has now
become a burden. What a waste to such
a thriving cane community.
Please Fiji Focus highlight some
more of such issues and visit the
community and see if the Government
officials are really assisting them.
I recall last year, Prime Minister
Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama
visited them and assured them of
assistance but it is Government
officials who are not assisting them.
PS Manasa Vaniqi’s comment that
“we will look into ways to indentify
their real needs if sugar cane farming
is not viable for them and agricultural
officers should be contacted.”
What kind of assurance is this for the
head of a ministry. Please, Mr Vaniqi
direct the ministries to assist them.
This community is suffering and we
are still indentifying real needs.”
Please continue the good work Fiji
Focus and highlight more such issues.
Ganesh Rao
Sigatoka
Positive News
Dear Editor
I was very pleased to read the
Publisher’s comment on Fiji Focus
issue of January 22 which highlighted
“ Investment’s Boost Economy”. What
a revelation and the complementing
article on Mr Dev Mishra’s plans to
invest in Fiji.
This is positive news for Fiji and
shows the confidence former Fiji
citizens and potential investors have
in Fiji. I was little surprised why the
Fiji Trade and Investment Bureau,
the investment promotion arm of
Government has not been letting the
public know about these positive news.
Thank you Ms Sharon Smith Johns.
Please carry on the good work of
highlighting these positive stories that
will boost our economy. We need to
speed up the economic growth so there
are more jobs for our school leavers
and our standard of living improves.
Vijay Chand
Nasinu
Just Wages
Dear Editor
I would like to commend the
Government for allowing the garment
workers to get a pay rise of 10 per
cent. The garment industry provides
jobs to many poor families, especially
women and youths but wages have
been low. Now the garment industry
has done what it should have done
before – provide just wages for a
honest day’s work.
I totally agree with the Minister
for Labour, Filipe Bole’s appeal to
all employers to be fair and just in
distributing their profits. Thank you
Master Bole, you have put smiles on
faces of many families.
Saras Prasad
Nadera.
Fiji Focus
Dear Editor
I recently saw a copy of Fiji Focus at a
friends place and I was very surprised
to read the contents.
I was more surprised by the articles,
one of which was where the Prime
Minister Commodore Bainimarama
said “ use land wisely”.
I enquired from my friend how he
gets the a copy he told me that the
Fiji Focus is published every second
Saturday in the Fiji Sun. My friend
then provided me with some back
copies and I was so thrilled to read
some good articles on various issues.
One aspect of the newspaper that
caught my attention was that it was
in the three major languages that are
spoken in Fiji – English, Fijian and
Hindi. This is an excellent concept.
What a way to promote multi
culturalism. I would like to request t
the Ministry of Information take a more
aggressive approach in promoting and
distributing this good newspaper which
is an excellent source of knowledge.
Timoci Ratu
Tavua
World Book Day
Dear Editor
FIJI, for the first time celebrated the
World Book Day and what an event
it was. I saw the celebrations on
MaiTV’s Fiji Today News and was
amazed at how it was celebrated.
I was touched by the department
of Library Services staff’ss visit to
the Old People’s Home and the
Children’s Ward at the CWM Hospital
to promote reading.
Previously, no body knew that
there was even a World Book Day
The objective of World Book day was
to create awareness of the value of
books and reading the books.
I would like to commend the
Department of Library Services for
organising this event and I urge them
to take this Day to all schools, business
house and government departments.
I would like to remind you of a
famous saying by Joseph Addison
“Reading is to the mind what
exercise is to the body and a library is
a hospital for the mind.”
Vinaka vaka levu, Library Services.
Ateca Vara, Nausori.
Fiji Focus welcomes your opinion. If you have comments or suggestions about
Government issues please send your letters to The Editor, Fiji Focus, P.O. Box
2225, Government Buildings, Suva or email to [email protected].
March 12, 2011
www.fiji.gov.fj
Diplomats briefed
FIJI FOCUS
What they say !!
Daylight savings
has ended. How
are you adjusting
with going back to
standard time?
Interest shown by the international community is encouraging
AN increasing number of diplomats and
international bodies have shown interest in
Fiji’s progress with implementing the Strategic
Framework for Change.
This week, His Excellency Lt. Gen Masud
Uddin Chowdhury, High Commissioner of the
Republic of Bangladesh visited the National
Monitoring Centre of the SFC Coordinating
Office (SFCCO).
Also recently the director, Office of Australia,
New Zealand and Pacific Mr Chris Marut was
briefed by SFCCO deputy secretary, Captain
Edward Tunidau.
Mr Marut, who is based in the United States,
was engaged in a round of consultations in the
Pacific region.
“He was in the country to look at how Fiji has
progressed in terms of the Strategic Framework
for Change consultation and initiatives that
Government has taken on board in complying to
and achieving its strategic directions,” he said.
Capt Tunidau explained government’s
strategic plan focused on critical sectoral
programmes comprising good governance,
growing the economy and socio cultural
programmes.
The focus for this year is on infrastructural
development aimed at connecting rural
people to economic opportunities to create a
sustainable livelihood.
Capt Tunidau reiterated that the Strategic
Framework for Change (SFC) initiatives and
major reforms originated from the Peoples
Charter for Change, Peace and Progress.
Several briefings have already taken place
with representatives from the
RFMF’s
Strategic Planning Unit, Fiji
Corrections Services, NZ High
Commission and the Foreign
Commonwealth Office.
Decisions made by Government
remain the same and various
agencies, which have visited SFCCO are very
receptive of this.
Permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s
Office Lt Colonel Pio Tikoduadua said although
there was still doubt Government could meet
the election timeline, the interest shown by
the international community in the SFC was
encouraging.
“I think the general consensus is that
they are satisfied in the way we are
making progress,”
he
said. “There is
still an element
of skepticism
about our
commitment by
them especially
the traditional
critics
“However
we are showing
them of the
country’s progress
to get back to
democracy.”
Maraia Vakamalolo,
Kadavu.
I am getting more time to
sleep-in in the morning and
there’s no rush. Also, the
place where I live gets very
cold in the mornings. I am
glad it is over now.
Ramesh Chand, Narere.
During daylight saving, I
rushed early in the morning
and my family is home
alone. It’s a bit risky too.
I’m glad it’s normal now.
Director, Office of Australia, NZ and Pacific Mr Chris Marut (center) during the presentation at the National Monitoring Centre.
Ministry reaffirms Rate reduction to aid economic recovery
$378.3million.
Reserve Bank of Fiji Board conditions.
Commercial bank interest
Investment, however, remains
commitment to local , THE
decided to reduce the Overnight
rates, despite mixed outcomes
subdued as reflected in the
Policy Rate (OPR) to 2.00 per
over the month, generally
decline in imports of investment
cent from 2.50 per cent at its
international
declined in 2010 compared with
goods and fall in new loans for
meeting on February 25.
the previous year facilitating a
investment purposes over the
While announcing the board
investors
modest pick-up in private sector
year.
decision, acting chairman Mr
THE Ministry of Finance reaffirmed its
commitment to local institutional investors of
Government’s intention to continue to develop the
domestic capital market.
This will be through frequent issuance of the
Fiji Development Loan Bond with maturities
ranging from three years to 20 years. Under the
2011 Budget framework, the estimated net deficit
is projected at $216 million or 3.5 per cent of
GDP.
The financing of the deficit will be through
domestic and external sources.
The Ministry of Finance also assured local and
international investors of its commitment in the
repayment of the US$150million (FJD$277.52m)
global bond due in September 2011.
Fund managers based in Singapore and Hong
Kong have almost completed negotiations with
current bond holders and potential investors on
the new bond to be issued, which the Government
has mandated ANZ as the lead manager and
bookrunner.
The 2011 gross deficit will be partially financed
through this globalbond roll over. This will free
up limited resources in the domestic financial
market for private sector investment.
Government has US$47m (FJS$86.9m) placed
with JP Morgan as part of reserves (Sinking
Fund Account) to support the repayment of the
global bond. As part of its annual commitment,
Government will build up funds in the sinking
fund account this year to support repayment of the
re-financed bond.
With foreign reserves at comfortable levels,
the Ministry of Finance views the issue of the
second global bond with optimism given Fiji’s
unblemished record in terms of honoring our debt
obligations; both domestically and externally,
where we have never defaulted.
March 12, 2011
credit.
The board also noted that the
Adish Narayan stated that “while
Foreign reserves are currently
inflation rate rose to 5.9 per cent
the current trend and outlook for
at $1,304.95million, equivalent
in January from 5.0 per cent
inflation poses some concern,
to 3.9 months of imports for
in December last year, mainly
on balance, the reduction in the
goods and non-factor services.
reflecting the impact of the
OPR is appropriate considering
On account of the recent
increase in VAT together with
the still very weak domestic
increase in VAT and supplythe higher crude oil price in the
economic conditions and a
side constraints in the crude oil
review period.
favourable outlook for foreign
market, the inflation forecast
Mr Narayan added “that the
reserves”.
for this year has now been
Mr Narayan said
Foreign reserves
revised upwards to 6.0
that “recent economic
per cent from the earlier
data indicate that the
are currently at
projection of 3.0 per cent.
global economy is
$1,304.95million,
Despite the marginal
recovering well from
the worst recession in equivalent to 3.9 months growth estimated for 2010
and positive outturns in some
60 years”.
of imports for goods and major sectors such as tourism
“However, the
so far this year, the domestic
latest surge in oil
non-factor services.
economy is still performing
prices coupled with
below potential.
recent rise in inflation does not
high food costs and potential
The board acting chairman
reflect strong domestic demand
overheating in emerging market
stated that “the reduction in the
conditions but stems largely
economies could dampen the
OPR to 2.00 per cent should
from the upward revisions in the
global economic recovery and
stimulate demand by reducing
negatively affect our tourism and FEA tariff in November 2010
borrowing costs and creating an
and VAT increase in January
export industries.
environment that is conducive to
as well as supply side factors,
“On the domestic front, recent
investment”.
particularly in the international
indicators reveal that visitor
“This should aid economic
oil market”.
arrivals, mining, electricity and
recovery and support growth”.
On the external front, the
the non-sugar export sectors
However, the board emphasised
trade deficit narrowed by 6.8
performed positively in 2010
that while monetary policy is
per cent to $1,017.8million in
despite the contraction in the
accommodative to growth, the
the first eight months of 2010,
sugar sector.”
underpinned by a notable growth RBF will continue to monitor the
Furthermore, latest indicators
twin objectives of low inflation
in exports and subdued demand
suggest that consumption
and comfortable level of foreign
activity improved, albeit weakly, for imports.
reserves and will align monetary
Liquidity in the banking
in 2010 aided by inflows of
system increased further over the policy accordingly.”
personal remittances and
month and currently stands at
improvement in labor market
Tekoki Rotan, Rabi.
Daylight saving was a
bit inconvenient in the
mornings but people got
more time to be with family
members in the evening. It
had its pros and cons.
Mohammed Hafiz,
Nausori.
Personally, it makes no
difference to me. I’ m a
farmer and have my own
timing. It’s a relief to
children in rural areas.
They won’t have to travel to
school when it’s still dark.
Cilia Ratumainaceva,
Caubati
Before my grand children
left for school while it was
still a bit dark. They faced
some difficulties but now I
am glad it’s over. Things are
back to normal.
3
www.fiji.gov.fj
FIJI FOCUS
Units show interest in bank
We have had a lot of expression of interest from both investors and landowners
INTEREST of landowning units in
depositing their land into the Land
Bank continues to heighten.
The Ministry of Lands has
recorded expressions of interest
from 10 landowning units around
the country, with a total of about
10,000 hectares of land they want
the state to administer.
As well, 100 investors also
tendered their interest in dealing
with landowning units already
listed by Government.
The first parcel of land already
designated is from Nawailevu
and Baravi villages in Bua where
bauxite mining works have started.
This year the Lands department
plans for the designation of about
2,000 hectares of land into the Land
Bank.
“We have had a lot of expression
of interest from both investors
and landowners and the process
we will have to get consent from
landowners,” Permanent Secretary
Filimone Kau said.
“ If they want to put their land
in the bank then we will have
to do the appropriate processes,
which includes surveying of land,
evaluation of land and then it is put
100 acres
for Cuvu
energy
project
A second parcel of land
will soon be designated into
the Land Bank opening up
another development project
this time in Cuvu, Nadroga.
About 100 acres of land
that belongs to the Tokatoka
Bitobalavu is the site of
a new renewable energy
project.
The iViti Sigatoka Power
Plant, launched this week
on Tuesday, uses Pyrolysis
technology to convert waste
into energy.
Owners Iviti Renewable
Disenergy Power Plant
Company or IRD confirmed
Pyrolysis is the thermal
decomposition of organic
compounds during heating
in the absence of external
oxygen supply.
The technology
recovers energy from
a variety of wastes that
include contaminated soil,
construction debris, waste
oil, sediment, sludge, sewer
water, even sawdust and
green waste.
Electricity produced will
be sold to the Fiji Electricity
Authority, whom they
signed a multi-million dollar
deal with in 2009, with the
potential of a reduction in
electricity costs.
The plant presents a
solution for more efficient
waste disposal and energy
generation from waste heat.
Acting permanent
secretary lands Filimone
Kau explained these were
all good developments
happening because of the
Land Bank.
“The Land Bank is
basically there as part of the
land reform initiative that
has two key objectives of
making available more land
for productive economic
and social purposes and to
improve the processes of
getting land, especially for
investment,” he said.
“The benefits for the
people are enormous in
terms of employment, lease
money, premiums and for
the investor there is security
of tenure, for the nation
economic development.”
The first parcel of land,
designated into the Land
Bank belong to Nawailevu
and Baravi villagers in Bua
who are now anticipating
the start of bauxite mining
works.
4
forward to the Prime Minister for
designation and when designated
it is basically put formally into the
bank.”
Mr Kau said in light of the huge
interest in the Land Bank, it would
not be at all difficult to meet the
2,000 hectares target for the year.
Fiji takes a
page from PNG
mining
Done deal ... Ministry of Lands acting permanent secretary Filimone Kau, right, with a
Aurum Exploration (Fiji) Ltd director during bauxite mining talks in Bua.
Agriculture lease used for other purpose
Land is upgraded for development.
THE Ministry of Lands is closely monitoring
the effectiveness of a moratorium on the use
of state land for purposes other than it were
leased out for.
Discoveries by the ministry unveil a
widespread use of land other than its original
purpose.
Agricultural leases are being used for
commercial shopping enterprises or other
development purposes apart from agricultural
development.
Acting permanent secretary Filimone
Kau said it doesn’t augur well with the
intentions of the Government to improve cane
production.
“A lot of [people right now are supposed to
be planting cane so that we can produce more
cane for the sugar mill but unfortunately
these farmers have other interests or better
returns for the land but the land is registered
for agricultural purposes,” he said.
“Government has taken over the sugar
mills – we want all the state land and
available native land that are planting cane
to be fully utilised but we are not getting that
tonnage of cane required for the sugar mills
because the land are being under utilised.
Fiji is taking lessons from the Papua New
Guinea mining industry to better meet
needs of the local mining sector.
The sector, promises billion dollar
returns for the country in the next five to
10 years, as mining exploration works
peak and more companies register their
interest in mining copper, gold, magnetite
and even gas in Fiji.
A team from the Department of Lands
headed by the permanent secretary
Filimone Kau visited PNG’s mining
industry recently.
“The key issue in mining is really
the issue of landowner’s interests- and
most of the problems happening in
places where mining is a major factor
in economic development is always the
issue of how landowners relate to the
mining development,” Mr Kau said.
“In PNG, particularly the experience
of the PNG Government and the mining
industry is how the three could basically
partner together in major mining
investments.
“And here in Fiji we hope that while
the target for mining to become a major
industry in the coming years we hope that
the land reform will be able to support
that and facilitate all the processes to
ensure that it does become a major
industry or a billion dollar industry in the
next five to ten years.”
$500m to tap into
geothermal sources
GEOTHERMAL sources in
Vanua Levu have enough
capacity to power up the
nation.
However, Government
needs about $500m to
develop these geothermal
sources.
“In Savusavu and Labasa
– they are the best in
Fiji – because the surface
temperature is right now
about 100 – 110 degrees
Celsius – now that’s the
boiling point but if you
drill down to say about 500
meters or one kilometer – it
becomes hotter and hotter
and the steam that will be
coming out will be about
260 degrees Celsius – that
is high pressure steam and
that steam alone will be able
to turn turbines,” acting
permanent secretary Mr
Filimone Kau said.
A report titled, “A study on
the improvement of Power
Generation,” identified the
potential of geothermal
sources to ease the country’s
dependence on diesel power.
The report, Japan Oil,
Gas and Metals National
Corporation (JOGMEC)
and Nittetsu Mining
Company Limited, contains
information and data
collected over two years
Harnessing the power from
geothermal sources will aid
mining works in the country
and this will be a critical
issue of discussion at the
Mining Symposium planned
for the end of the month.
The main Vanua Levu
sources for geothermal
power are located at Tabia
and Savusavu.
“For the last two years
there has been a study taken
by our Japanese experts,
scientists, they did a twoyear study on geothermal
both in Viti Levu and also in
Vanua Levu,” Mr Kau said.
“The second year and that
was towards the end of last
year - they have brought
in the final report, which
– highlighted that they can
produce power to about 180
megawatts.
“Now 180 megawatts
can fulfill the needs of
copper mines at Namosi
that requires about 125
megawatts of electricity
to operate. The power is a
factor that’s holding mining
works back.”
March 12, 2011
www.fiji.gov.fj
Taking a
step up
AT the heart of
Government’s information
services, stands a woman.
Setaita Rokosawa Natai is
the Director of Information,
an unenviable position she
says that often leaves her
walking the tight rope, balancing transparency with
protecting the confidentiality
of Government information.
And there’s the constant
barrage of questions from
both international and local
media to deal with.
How did a young girl,
born in the heart of rural
Cakaudrove, bred in areas
like Rakiraki and Vunidawa,
reach the top echelon of
Government?
Not without her father’s
constant reminder – “Always
go one up” – or never rest on
your laurels.
“That’s the legacy of
an offspring of the copra
industry – always striving for
a better life,” she said.
Ms Natai, never really
thought she would become
a journalist. Dreams of a
law career were nurtured
from her primary school
years at Rakiraki Methodist,
Vunidawa Indian and
later reinforced at Lelean
Memorial School.
But as she puts it: “I
joined the media industry by
accident.” Accident or fate,
Ms Natai failed her New
Zealand University Entrance
by a mark, refused to repeat
and joined the civil service
as a film production trainee.
The law career was gone
with the wind – instead a
degree and a post graduate
qualification in Film and
Television production were
acquired.
The rest is history – 24
years on Ms Natai is the
Director Information.
“Women we need to face
our challenges, work hard
and continue to persevere,
don’t let the difficulties pull
us down, we must rise above
our circumstances,” she said.
“Keep at it, keep going for
the next level and one day
you will succeed.”
She is now completing her
Law Degree.
FIJI FOCUS
Eliminating violence
AUSTRALIA will provide $863,000
to the UN Women Pacific SubRegional office to support ending
violence against women (VAW).
The funding will also address
the connection between VAW and
HIV and AIDS. This represents
a $172,760 increase on previous
funding level.
UN Women’s Pacific VAW fund
was established in March 2009
to provide financial and technical
support to Government and civil
society organisations in their efforts
to eliminate violence against women
and girls in the Pacific region.
Australia’s additional funding
assistance delivered through AusAID
Fiji’s bilateral programme will
enable UN Women to work with
organisations in Fiji working to end
violence, enabling them to access
resources to support their work and
as well as training to develop their
capacity to design and deliver the
best possible services, based on
good practice and lessons learned
elsewhere in the Pacific region and
globally.
The Acting High Commissioner,
Ms Judith Robinson, and the UN
Women Pacific programme director,
Ms Elizabeth Cox, announced the
continuity of funding.
“Along with its efforts to eliminate
violence against women in Australia,
the Australian Government is
committed to intensifying its
efforts to assist the Pacific region
address violence against women,
especially through partnerships with
national governments, civil society,
international donors and multilateral
organisations, and men and women in
the community,” said Ms Robinson.
Ms Cox welcomed the AusAID’s
second round of financial support to
this effort for Fiji.
“AusAID’s additional support is
timely and responds to the expressed
need of many government agencies
and women’s organisations to take
strategic actions and deliver needed
services to eliminate violence against
women in Fiji,” she said.
The project has the potential to
work with diverse partners and
Women’s
day is
everyday
Bua women, above, perform for the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and guests
during International Women’s Day celebration at Nabouwalu.
Each achievement is a step towards a bigger goal
IN a nutshell, Jinita Prasad
(pictured) is an inspiration,
a strong woman who
overcomes challenges.
Her success as the chief
executive of South Pacific
Stock Exchange is
– historical because she is
the youngest appointed to the
post and also the first female
– hasn’t come about without
hard work, some leaps of
faith, belief in oneself and
perseverance.
A high achiever, Ms Prasad
has stamped her mark in
the financial world, leading
SPSE to newer heights since
March 2006.
Born and bred in Suva, Ms
Prasad spent her early years
at Vatuwaqa Primary School
before finishing secondary
education at Indian College.
From early on, her
indomitable strive for
March 12, 2011
addresses the link between poverty,
disability, HIV, health, police and
justice services.”
The project is not just about
making grants.
It includes the provision of
technical advice and mentoring,
sponsorship for practitioners and
advocates to attend leading national
and regional training programmes
and be attached to successful EVAW
organistions, convening of leading
EVAW partners and stakeholders
in Fiji, improved coordination
and networking among advocates,
government officials and the media;
development of tool kits to support
self-study and skill development
among practitioners.
excellence made her stand
out from her peers – easily
bagging top marks in exams
and leading school student
bodies.
“Because of my high
marks in Form 1, far beyond
that of other students, I was
allowed to skip Form 2 and
started with Form 3,”she
said.
Her peers and teachers
wondered at her brilliance in
academic work.
Ms Prasad’s simple recipe
to success is hard work and
planning – even at the cost of
being called a nerd.
“It helped that I used to
study in the school holidays
– so I was a bit of a nerd,”
she said.
“Before entering Form 3
I would study all the Maths
and English of the coming
year.”
Her life revolved around
books because she is a
diehard bookworm. It’s a
habit that reaped her career
success.
With a career spanning
the accounting and financial
sector of the nation, from
Pricewater House Coopers,
Kontiki and now SPSE Ms
Prasad’s advice to women of
Fiji is never to underestimate
your abilities.
“You have to continue
to learn and expand your
knowledge because a very
competitive world is out
there,” she said.
“I also believe in and
it is one of my favorite
women’s quotes ‘treat every
achievement as another step
towards a bigger goal.’
“But more importantly,
Clare Boothe Luce has said
‘Because I am a woman, I
must make unusual efforts to
succeed.
“If I fail, no one will say
she doesn’t have what it
takes. They will say women
don’t have what it takes.
Having said that, it’s also
important to note that, that
should not hold women back
from taking risks.
“I think it’s important for
women to take risks once in a
while and if they do fail, then
should just stand up, brush
themselves and look for other
opportunities having learnt
from the past experience on
how they failed and why they
failed.”
Ms Prasad is also on the
executive board of Women in
Business, a member of Suva
Chamber of Commerce and
Industry and director public
relations for Rotary Club of
Suva North.
INTERNATIONAL Women’s
Day is the equivalent
of mother’s day where
husbands, male colleagues
and children give flowers and
presents to mothers, sisters,
colleagues and friends to
honor their achievements and
contributions to families and
society.
Commissioner Central Mr
Peni Ratumaitavuki made
these remarks during the
celebration of International
Women’s Day at Syria Park
in Nausori.
He said the new
millennium had seen many
significant changes and
attitudinal shifts in society’s
thoughts about women and
gender equality.
“We have women serving
in government positions, and
women in male dominated
workplaces and career like
astronomy and engineering,”
Mr Ratumaitavuki said.
“Fiji has been observing
IWD since the 1990’s and
has become a national
event where NGOs, UN
entities and Government
take lead roles in facilitating
all kinds of programmes
to celebrate and mark
women’s achievements and
highlight their opportune
advancement, addressing
special themes observed for
the year internationally.
This year, the theme is:
“Equal access to education,
training science and
technology: Pathway to
decent work for women”.
The programmes are
centered around building
capacity for women through
education for a better and
secure future for women and
their families.
Ratumaitavuki said there
was a saying that goes when
you educate a woman you
are educating the family.
“Government has placed
great emphasis in the
education of our children
and has put in place policies
providing equal opportunities
for both boys and girls at
all levels to have access to
education.
“And attending school is
compulsory to all children at
school age,” he said.
5
www.fiji.gov.fj
FIJI FOCUS
Lease of
life for
tenants
By ISAAC LAL
SUGAR Cane farmers are
aerated with joy following
the renewal of leases under
the Agricultural Landlord
and Tenant Act or ALTA by
the Native Land Trust Board.
One such farmer, Pramod
Kumar of Lausa in Tavua,
says this is a sign of security
for farmers and commitment
from Government towards
rejuvenating the sugar
industry.
Mr Kumar said farmers in
the Tavua-Ba area had now
breathed a new lease of life
following the renewal.
“This is the best news
sugarcane farmers have
received in recent years,” he
said.
“There are new
programmes and other
incentives have been arriving
on time and we thank
Government for looking into
the plight of farmers.”
Another farmer, Chandar
Bhan from Qelewaqa,
Labasa, said he hoped former
sugar cane farmers that have
left their former home would
return soon.
Need for
varieties
THE Department of
Agriculture has been
extensively discussing
the need for more potato
varieties other than the red
rascal and the potato types
that it has.
There has been some
points raised on the benefits
of the Red Pontiac – the
department will look at
getting some more varieties
for its nurseries and research
station this year
The department will soon
have further details on the
Red Pontiac, -where it will
be brought from and when
it will be planted at the
research stations
“I have many friends and
relatives that left Labasa
for Suva and Navua but
with these leases now being
renewed, I hope my friends
will one day apply for leases
and come back home,” he
said.
“We in Labasa are
fortunate there has not been
a major flooding or hurricane
in the last two or three years
and we hope to increase our
supply to the mills.”
8603 agricultural land
leases expired under ALTA
from 1997 to 2010.
Of these, 6622 were for
cane leases and 1981 were
for non - agricultural leases
or land that was not used for
sugar cane cultivation.
NLTB has renewed 3558
leases for sitting tenants and
issued 1714 new leases to
incoming tenants.
469 agricultural leases
under ALTA would expire
this year, 431 next year and
502 leases in 2013.
NLTB renewed 248 leases
to sitting tenants and 137
new leases for incoming
tenants last year.
Senior officials work on pricing for livestock
A four-month impregnated heifer from New Zealand loaded onto a truck at the Kings Whaf in Suva.
SENIOR agricultural officials will meet
next week to formulate a pricing model
for the sale of New Zealand cattle to
farmers.
The 150 Friesian cross impregnated
cattle, that arrived on Sunday aboard
the New Zealand freighter Baldur are
kept at the Koronivia Research Station
where they are undergoing recovery
procedures.
They are part of a $1.3m herd of 350
heifers and bulls added to local herds to
rehabilitate the dairy industry from the
devastating effects of brucellosis.
Director Animal Health and
Production Tomasi Tunabuna confirmed
quarantine processes are also being
implemented, the cattle weighed, with
pregnancy diagnosis to be carried out
before any sale is made.
The pricing formula, will take into
account factors like the condition of the
cattle when they arrived at the Kings
Wharf, their pregnancy and genetic
superiority.
The cattle are classified potential
high producing milk producers at
16 liters of milk per day each cattle
significantly higher than the local ratio
of five liters per cattle per day.
“So if they sell for $2,000 per cattle,
that is still a highly subsidised price,”
Merchants play dirty tricks
POTATO farmers have asked Government
to place a time limit on the importation of
potatoes so they can fetch better prices for
their local potatoes.
The call was made at the Potato
Stakeholders Forum held in Sigatoka
recently.
Farmers asked the Government
to intervene after experiencing
poor sales returns on their crop
in 2010.
“We planted in Nadroga,
Rakiraki, and Nadarivatu
all at one time – and when
we harvested the supermarkets
played a dirty trick on us,” Ilikimi
Kunagogo, a potato farmer said.
“They had apparently stocked up on a
lot of imported potatoes so by the time we
harvested and sold to them it was at a poor
price.
“If Government can place a ban on
importation at least say for one month before
harvest because this will really support the
local industry and we save up on import
prices.”
Permanent secretary Lieutenant
Colonel Mason Smith said
they would look into seeing
how they can facilitate this
request.
Government has also
committed to setting up
a seed storage facility in
Fiji to solve the problem
of delays in potato seeds
coming in from overseas.
“I agree with the idea on the seed
storage facility – we will look at it, where it
will be set up – who will run it and so forth,”
he said.
Mr Tunabuna said.
“The cattle arrived in a considerably
good condition considering they were
at sea for five days, in confined spaces.
“They will be separated into three
different groups depending on their
weight and they are recovering pretty
well.
“As soon as we get that formula in
place we will begin with the sales.”
Quick Facts
Brucellosis
Farms infected – 16 farms
Culled – 480 cattle
Zone – Tailevu/Naitasiri
Form co-operatives: Forum
POTATO farmers need to
start forming their own
cooperatives and slowly
wean off the full Government
assistance for the industry.
As it is, Government
provides complete funding,
this year at $260,000, for
seed purchase from New
Zealand, technical assistance
and even machinery.
Over the three years of the
programme 2010 to 2012,
Government intends to
reduce the potato import bill
that stands at $17m by six
point three per cent.
The year 2010 was the
trial year and with farms
showing signs of success,
Government has called on
farmers to start standing on
their own two feet.
Potato farmer Kini
Namoumou agreed.
“The farmer cooperatives
should be set up to
encourage arevolving funds
so that when the three-year
programme ends we can
depend on the cooperative to
buy our own seeds,” he told
fellow farmers at the recent
Potato Stakeholders Forum.
“If we can set up in the
first year, then take it up
with funds in the second
and third year so when the
Government pulls out at least
we have something in hand
to fork out from.”
The drive to form
cooperatives will be
seriously pursued this year.
NZ training for potato farmers, agriculture officials
TALKS are in progress for the
engagement of both farmers and
agricultural extension officials to
undergo training in potato farms in
New Zealand.
The New Zealand experience is
a strategic move to equip the local
potato industry with a greater, in
depth knowledge of farming the
root crop.
The need for more practical
training rang out strongly at the
Potato Consultative Forum attended
by about 300 farmers and officials
at Sigatoka recently.
A farmer that spoke at the forum,
6
Ilikimi Kunagogo said farmers
needed training in all areas,
from land and seed preparation,
cultivation, care throughout
germination and harvesting.
Mr Kunagogo said there was a
need for a specialist to be stationed
in the agricultural stations near
potato farms.
Department of Agriculture
permanent secretary Lt. Colonel
Mason Smith said to resolve the
need for specialists, agriculture
technical staff would be deployed to
New Zealand for training.
“We will also identify farmers
that can go to New Zealand to
observe and grasp an in depth
knowledge of potato farming from
the experienced farmers there,” he
said.
“Whatever is learnt from this
farm visits will be shared locally.
“We will liaise with our
counterparts in New Zealand on
the issue and it will take some
preparation before we can identify
farmers to participate in the farm
visits.”
Farmers sign up before
the Potato Stakeholders
Forum in Sigatoka.
March 12, 2011
www.fiji.gov.fj
FIJI FOCUS
North adopts 3R strategy
THE Department of Environment
in collaboration with the Japanese
International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) conducted a workshop in
Lautoka for health inspectors and
municipal councils on the issue of
waste management.
The main focus of the workshop
was the adoption of the 3R – reuse,
reduce and recycle strategy being
piloted in Nadi and Lautoka.
The department is launching a
3R guideline to be adopted for all
other councils this November.
3R strategy is mainly for green
and kitchen waste where tins and
bottles are also separated to be
recycled.
Northern Division health
inspector, Mr Rakesh Kumar said
in terms of waste management
the Labasa Town Council and
Savusavu were handling the waste
management and have their dump
site.
However, the whole of North,
peri- urban and rural areas do not
have a system and people have
created a lot of illegal dumps.
“Currently the Ministry of
Health is focusing on the control
of diseases, which come from
improper planning of waste
management. Health is a concern
for everyone,” Mr Kumar said.
He said many communicable
Health concern ... Rakesh
Kumar beside Qawa River
diseases were coming from areas
with no proper
waste management where rodents
and vectors were visible.
This gives rise to dengue fever
and leptospirosis coming from
these areas.
Mr Kumar said the Ministry
of Health with JICA team were
working on the 3Rs to bring it to
communities, especially peri-urban
areas.
“We’ve developed hotspot areas.
Bulileka is a hot spot for dengue
fever.
“What we’ve done is try to get
help from the town council and
assistance from the community.”
“We have also developed
the user-pay system where
communities pay and collection is
done. Over the last two years we
had no cases of dengue with the
assistance of Ministry. of Health.
“Officials are only focusing on
municipalities for the 3R strategy,
however focus is also needed in
the peri-urban areas as diseases can
come from any area.
“If we have to tackle waste
management we need support of
the stakeholders of the Northern
Division.
“After the workshop we’re going
to introduce the 3R concept in the
Northern Division.
“We are concerned for the heath
of their communities.”
Water is
priority for
Ba district
ACCESS to safe and
healthy drinking water
will be top priority for the
District Office in Ba says
Acting Health Inspector
Niko Nadolo.
“Most villages and
settlements in Ba district
are sourcing their water
from the Ba River, creeks
and wells, which are unsafe
for human consumption,”
Mr Nadolo said.
“Government through
its integrated development
approach is trying to ensure
everyone have access to
safe drinking water.
“The Ministry of Health
is working closely with
the District Office in Ba
to ensure all water sources
are analysed for safety
reasons.”
He said, in 2010
they assisted the DO’s
office in Ba during the
implementation of a
borehole in Tabataba, Ba.
District Officer Ba Osea
Ravukivuki said a water
borehole project was
implemented in Tabataba,
last year and people in the
area are now using it.
“Extensive survey was
conducted in the area and it
was discovered that water
they were using was unfit
for human consumption,”
Ravukivuki said.
“The Health Ministry
confirmed the survey and a
borehole was constructed
in Tabataba. Eighteen
more boreholes will be
constructed in other parts
of Ba district this year since
most communities don’t
have access to safe drinking
water,” Ravukivuki said.
Acting Health Inspector
Nadolo said the need for
better and safe drinking
water was a priority since
there had been on-going
outbreaks of typhoid in the
country.
“We’re thankful to
Government for realising
the need in rural areas,”
Nadolo said.
“We hope this timely
assistance will help avert
any future epidemics that
would be detrimental to
national development.”
March 12, 2011
Retaining
wall keeps
floods at
bay
Take Five ... Sakeasi Vakatono (left), Epi Tirau (center) and Sakeasi Rasoki (right) enjoy the morning
sun while relaxing on the retaining wall at Nawaqarua Village, Ba.
District Officer Ba
Osea Ravukivuki
Livelihood ... rowing days will be over for women of Nawaqarua Village, when heading for a fishing trip.
Fishing boats will keep villagers afloat
GOVERNMENT through the office of
the District Officer Ba will soon donate
two new fishing boats with outboard
engines to Nawaqarua villagers.
District Officer Ba Osea Ravukivuki
said the new boats would help sustain
villagers of Nawarua.
“The two boats are being built by a
local boat builder in Ba and should be
completed soon.
“One boat is for women of
Nawaqarua while one will be used by
the men.
“Government has already paid for
the outboard engines and is ready for
delivery once the boats are completed,”
Mr Ravukivuki said.
Epi Tirau of Nawaqarua Village
said the boats would really boost the
livelihood of villagers.
“We don’t have much land to use for
farming,” he said. “We depend a lot on
the sea for our livelihood.”
“The assistance from Government
will really boost the livelihood of the
villagers of Nawaqarua.
“It will help us earn some income on
a daily basis and everyone will have a
chance to use the village fishing boats,”
Mr Tirau said.
The assistance came after a request
was submitted to the District Office in
Ba last year. Mr Ravukivuki said the
assistance was part of Government’s
commitment enshrined in the People’s
Charter to reduce poverty to a negligible
level by 2015.
The boats are being built by Prem
Prakash of Nailaga in Ba. They should
be completed by this week.
“The 26 feet and 21 feet boats should
be completed by Thursday (March
10) and will be delivered to the DO’s
office,” Mr Prakash said.
“The bigger boat will have a cabin
while the smaller one won’t. They
should have been completed earlier but
was delayed because of bad weather.”
VILLAGERS of
Nawaqarua in the Ba
district have never felt
safer living in their own
village after the completion
of a retaining wall by
Government.
Nawaqarua Village lies
on the banks and close to
the mouth of the Ba River.
District Officer Ba Osea
Ravukivuki said: “The
retaining wall project was
funded by Government
under the Integrated Human
Resource Development
Program (IHRDP).”
“The village was slowly
being washed away after
constant flooding and
villagers were feeling
insecure.
“The project was
completed last year and
now Nawaqarua villagers
can live without fear of
being washed away,” Mr
Ravukivuki said.
Epi Tirau, of Nawaqarua
in Ba said they were
grateful to Government for
its timely assistance.
“We were getting
insecure with a fear of
being washed away,” Epi
said.
“Now, we feel safer
after the completion of
this retaining wall by
Government.
“There were several
attempts earlier to avoid
erosion but it failed. We
thank this Government for a
much better retaining wall.
“We cannot avoid getting
flooded, but our village
will be saved from being
washed away,” Tirau said.
Emori Rasoki and
Sakeasi Vakatono of
Nawaqarua Village echoed
similar sentiments.
“If our village is washed
away, our children will
have to look elsewhere
and probably don’t have a
permanent place to live,”
they said.
“This is where our
forefathers lived and we
don’t have enough land.
This retaining wall will give
hope to our children .”
7
www.fiji.gov.fj
FIJI FOCUS
Reading culture must be promoted in Fiji, says librarian
A librarian at the University of the
South Pacific believes there is a
need to promote a reading culture
in Fiji.
At the World Book Day
celebrations in Suva, Mrs
Joan Yee said, with the latest
technology now in place, people
do not read as much as they used
to do before.
“In Fiji there is no reading
culture and we must promote
that. There are other distractions
such as TV, radio, DVDs and
the interest in reading books is
decreasing in our society,” Mrs
Yee said.
She said events like World
Book Day helped focus attention
on books and reading.
“I think if you try and interest
children at a young age to love
books and reading, they will
continue it in their adult life.
You’ll see this overseas in
countries like Australia and New
Zealand. When you get on the
train or the bus, you’ll see people
reading but we don’t see that here
in Fiji so somehow we have to
encourage our young people to
read more.
“Libraries have a role to play
in this. Unfortunately, we don’t
have many libraries in Fiji and the
libraries that are in place, don’t
get a lot of support. Many libraries
do not even have a book budget
so we need to pay more attention,
especially with the public
libraries,” Mrs Yee said.
“School libraries always play
an important part. We need to
encourage young people to read
and bring to their attention the
many benefits of reading. We
must get more books into schools,
better library set up and training
for librarians.”
She added parents and teachers
also need to ensure that children
read books that will benefit them.
“When we say reading, of course
we don’t mean any kind of reading.
We mean reading of books that are of
use and benefit,” Mrs Yee said.
Books can reveal future
Amelia Vulaono at the World Book Day celebrations in Suva.
A
man who has
explored the Fijian
culture, language
and locally available spices
with the help of books is
calling on children to live
with books as part of their
everyday life.
The author of the ‘Fijian
English Dictionary’, Doctor
Ronald Gatty (pictured) says
he has made money with
the help of books and still
continues to do so at the age
of 81.
“Different abilities are
starkly different from person
to person and you have to
find out who you are and
what are your talents because
that may help you make a
living by things that you love
to do,” Dr Gatty said.
“One of mine is writing
and reading and I have made
quite a fortune from that and
I enjoy doing it. That is, my
life work, which has been fun
and profitable”
Dr Gatty, who also lived
in America or some time,
came back to Fiji when he
was 50 and that’s when he
quit working because he had
collected enough money.
While speaking at the
World Book Day celebrations
in Suva recently, Dr Gatty’s
main message to children
was that books were more
than just reading material.
“It is well said ‘know
thyself’ but how do you
know who you are and what
are your talents. I suggest
you get yourself down to the
libraries,” Dr Gatty said.
“There are a couple of
magnificent libraries in Fiji.
There’s a national archives,
which does not charge
money. There is the Suva
City Library and also USP
Library.
“I am deeply shocked
and I am almost hurt that
you people do not visit the
libraries.
“Suva City Library for
example, is empty except
when you have school
projects or exams coming up.
8
“You should be down
there every week and reading
and what books you find
interesting is going to tell
you who you are, what you
are and what talents you
have.
“Find out what interests
you. I emphasise this fact
that the function of school
is not the end of education.
It is only the foundation to
prepare you for learning.”
He added that the relearning process for every
person comes
after school.
“Now I had
the fortunate
experience
having read
so much that
when I went to
college, they
told me at a
distinguished
university that
you don’t need
the four years
of undergrad
education.So I
skipped it and
went directly
into a doctor
of science
programme,”
Dr Gatty said.
“The first
person in the
United States
ever to do that.
Why? It’s not
that I am more
intelligent than
somebody else.
“It’s simply
because I live
with books. I read all the
time and I want you to copy
my example if you want to
achieve something in life.
“And secondly, be
happy because achieving
your fulfillment is your
happiness.”
Reflecting on his works
as a writer, Dr Gatty told
children he was able to write
a definitive dictionary of
the Fijian language through
reading.
“How can a ‘kaivalagi’
know all that stuff? First of
all, it’s by reading. I have
read virtually every book
ever published on Fiji. I
have read virtually every
academic article written on
Fiji,” he said.
“That has made me more
knowledgeable than almost
any Fijian in Fijian culture
and language. You can do the
same thing.
“It is just called dedicating
yourself, focusing your
interest and I suggest you do
that.”
“Nobody ever
taught me about
Indian spices.
I am not
complaining.
I went out and
searched it.
Learning is
an aggressive
function.
You take the
motivation. You
do it. You are
responsible for
you.”
With his
interests
and
abilities,
he has also
helped
villagers
earn a living
by growing
vanilla and
spices.
“I was
satisfied
with my life
by 50 and
then I said
to fulfill your own life,
you must give,” Dr Gatty
said.
“What you can give is
to teach the Fijians how
to get the inspiration to
earn a good living.
“I’ve tried to do both.
Spices should help them earn
a living and then secondly
my books on the history and
language of Fiji should fulfill
them culturally as to respect
their own culture.
“I also wanted to find out
You should
be down at
the library
every week
and reading
and what
books
you find
interesting
is going
to tell you
who you
are, what
you are and
what talents
you have.
what should village Fijians
grow to make money.
Subsistence agriculture
has no future and I
experimented for quite a
number of years. Finally
in 1985, it occurred to me
that vanilla and some of
the horticultural spices
like pepper, cinnamon and
nutmeg were exactly what
villagers should grow to
make money.
“They are transportable
and of high value.
“ I had to prove that they
would grow in Fiji and I
did so. I proved that there
was a market for it.
He also produced a
‘Gatty brand’ of spices,
named after
him.
“We have
succeeded. We
have
growers
who grow
and earn
money in the
little villages.
“I only hope Government
will notice and bear the brunt
of carrying this on to make
it a major industry in Fiji,
to bring money to the little
people in the villages.
“Every other development
takes people away from
the villages, tourism takes
villagers away from the
village, sugar industry takes
villagers away from the
village, the rice industry
takes villages away and
industrial developments take
people away.
“If we want to keep
people in the village to some
extent and prevent urban
overgrowth, we need to have
villagers earning money.
“Vanilla and some of the
spices are the way to go. I
want Fiji to hear it and carry
it out,” Dr Gatty concluded.
He will be publishing
another book on the tribes of
Fiji in a couple of months.
March 12, 2011
www.fiji.gov.fj
FIJI FOCUS
Europe
coming
to MSG
summit
The deputy permanent representative of the Fiji
Mission to the UN Luke Daunivalu.
Inset: Ambassador Peter Thomson.
Mission completes
term as UN chair
THE Permanent Mission of
Fiji to the United Nations
has completed its term as the
Asian Group chairman at the
United Nations.
The Asian Group is
comprised of 53 member
states, representing more
than 60 per cent of the
world’s population.
During the plenary
meeting of Asian Group at
the General Assembly Hall in
New York, Fiji’s Ambassador
Peter Thomson thanked
member states for the honour
bestowed upon Fiji by
inviting it to chair the group
for the month of February.
He said, “Like other
small countries intent on
establishing their proper
place in the affairs of the
community of nations, Fiji
treasures its membership
of this, the most important
geopolitical regional group
of the United Nations.”
During February, in its
capacity as Group Chair, the
Fiji Mission to the UN was
responsible for circulating
to member states all
notifications brought before
it in relation to the Asian
Group, in particular the daily
expressions by member
states of candidatures for UN
bodies and committees.
In addition the Fiji Mission
was required to make
statements on behalf of the
Asian Group at such UN
meetings as the Committee
on Peacekeeping now
underway in New York.
As chair of the Asian
Group in February, the
Fiji Mission was given the
responsibility of leading
consultations with the
candidates for presidency of
Fiji seaweed can fight
war on malarial virus
FIJI seaweed may be the answer
to fighting the war against malaria,
research has confirmed.
According to a study presented at
an international science conference
in Washington researchers have
recruited an unlikely ally: seaweed
found in Fiji.
Researchers said the seaweed, a
red algae, produces an antifungal
compound, which tests show kills
the malarial parasite.
If the compound proves effective
in animal and human studies, it
could become the newest weapon
against a disease that kills more
than a million people a year.
Researchers discovered the class
of seaweed defense compounds,
known as bromophycolides, by
studying 800 species of seaweed off
Fiji Island.
The malarial parasite has proved
a formidable enemy. It has evolved
the ability to evade every drug
developed to kill it, often within
just a few years.
Already, resistance has appeared
in Cambodia against the latest
compound in the anti-malaria
arsenal: artemisinin.
A chemical ecologist at Georgia
Institute of Technology in Atlanta
Julia Kubanek says she wasn’t
really thinking about malaria when
she first saw the algae, she and
her colleagues want to know how
marine plants and animals defend
themselves against infections.
In Fiji, she and her colleagues
collect fistfuls of seaweeds and
other marine species to look for
natural antibiotics. As part of
those tests, they screen compounds
isolated from those organisms not
just for antibiotic potential but also
for anti-cancer, anti-HIV, and other
biomedical properties.
the General Assembly’s 66th
session and setting in place
modalities for the selection
of the group’s nominee.
It is the Asian Group’s turn
to nominate the President of
the General Assembly for the
66th Session beginning in
September, 2011.
The selection process was
successfully concluded at the
25th February meeting, with
the chair’s announcement
of Mr Nassir Al-Nasser of
Qatar as the Asian Group’s
nominee.
A founding member of
the European Union has
expressed interest in coming
to Fiji for the Melanesian
Spearhead Group leaders
summit in Suva.
Grand Duchy of
Luxembourg or Luxembourg
is a landlocked country in
Western Europe, bordered
by Belgium, France, and
Germany.
“They have shown interest
in coming down for the
MSG as an observer,” said
permanent secretary for
Foreign Affairs and chairman
of the MSG senior officials
meeting Solo Mara.
Luxembourg has a
population of more than
half a million with a
constitutional monarch, it is
ruled by a Grand Duke.
It’s the world’s only
remaining sovereign Grand
Duchy. The country has a
highly developed economy,
with the world’s highest GDP
per capita according to the
International Monetary Fund
and World Bank.
“They assisted the MSG
secretariat and funded
training. As our development
partner have formally made a
request,” he said.
Luxembourg is a member
of the European Union,
NATO, OECD, the United
Nations, Benelux, and the
Western European Union,
reflecting the political
consensus in favour of
economic, political, and
military integration.
The city of Luxembourg,
the capital and largest city,
is seat of several institutions
and agencies of the European
Union.
Mr Mara said that apart
from Indonesia and Timor
Leste, other countries and
development partners have
also show interest in coming
in as observers.
Meanwhile, groundwork
for the meeting that will be
held in Suva is on track.
Embassy staff raise funds for cyclone victims
TWO years in rebuilding our
nation following the damage by
Cyclone Tomas in 2009, the Prime
Minister’s relief fund continues to
receive money to help those that
were affected by cyclone.
Prime Minister Commodore
Voreqe Bainimarama received
a cheque from our Ambassador
to Japan His Excellency Isikeli
Mataitoga last week.
The cheque of US$4,680 is a
result of efforts by our embassy in
Japan and their fundraising back in
Tokyo.
Mr Mataitoga said though they
were far from home, Fiji remained
in their hearts and they would
continue to come to send aid when
the need arose.
“Even though we are there, we
continue to fundraise by making
curry nights and other forms to
raise money to donate to those that
need it most,” he said.
In receiving the cheque
Prime Minister Commodore
Fiji’s Ambassador to Japan Isikeli Mataitoga (right).
Bainimarama thanked the
embassy staff and those who had
contributed towards the relief
efforts, saying it was welcoming.
He thanked the embassy for the
work done so far and he hoped that
our embassies continue to work
together with the international
community.
Mr Mataitoga said this was not
the first time the embassy staff in
Tokyo had contributed following
natural disasters.
“This has always been the norm
as we feel for our fellow friends
and country men every time there’s
a natural disaster,” Mr Mataitoga
said.
He also thanked those that
helped during the fundraising drive
in Japan. Mr Mataitoga returns
home on Saturday.
Council wants to promote Fiji on international stage
FOSTERING closer ties between
Fiji, New Zealand and the rest of
the world is the aim of a new North
Shore-based group.
The Fiji Council New Zealand
has already attracted some 30
members two weeks after launching
in Takapuna, founder and president
March 12, 2011
Alton Shameem said.
“Our mission is to enhance,
promote, engage, empower,
consolidate and build foreign
relationships between Fiji our
motherland with the rest of the
world,” he said.
Mr Shameem, a native Fijian,
said Fiji’s interests go beyond New
Zealand and the Asia Pacific.
“As Fiji is the hub of the
Pacific and much sought after by
superpowers like China, India,
the Americas, Europe and the
Middle East, we are building on
these relationships for the mutual
economic, cultural and social
benefits of all,” he said.
The council is the only Fijian
organisation in New Zealand that
looks at promoting Fijian interests
in the international community.
“We want to reach out to other
countries to promote Fiji and help
our Fijian brothers to progress.”
He said most of the 30,000
Fijians in the country live in the
Auckland suburbs of Mt Albert, Mt
Roskill and South Auckland.
Mr Shameem also founded the
All Ethnic Congress to promote
cultural harmony in New Zealand.
9
www.fiji.gov.fj
FIJI FOCUS
CIVIL SERVICE VACANCIES
Applications on completed GP 142 for the following
posts should be addressed to:
The Permanent Secretary
Public Service Commission
P O Box 2211
Government Building
Suva
MINISTRY
OF
PUBLIC
ENTERPRISES,
COMMUNICATIONS, CIVIL AVIATION AND TOURISM
219/2011 - CHIEF ECONOMIC PLANNING OFFICER
[DIRECTOR]
The Director is responsible to the Permanent Secretary
in managing the implementation of the Public Enterprise
Sector Reform Program to ensure that the efficiency
and effectiveness of the sector is improved. Winding Up
Companies. To coordinate with the project officers and the
consultants regarding the implementation of the winding up
program to ensure that the process is completed as soon
as possible. Develop a program of action to guide the
consultants and the project officers on the progress of the
work being done. Meet periodically to assess progress and
evaluate. Participate in developing an Action Plan for the
internal restructuring of the Public Trustee Office with the
Task Force. Finalize Action Plan for internal restructuring
and submit to government for approval. Participate in
implementing the Action Plan and evaluate. Reviving
Underperforming Companies. Formulate plans for the revival
of Rewa Rice Limited. Attend follow up meeting on the
restructuring of Daily Post. Formulate Action Plans for the
internal restructuring of the Public Trustee Office. Manage
the day to day operations of the office and recommend
appropriate resources as and when required. Thorough
understanding of departmental systems and procedures.
Through understanding of public sector reform. Good
understanding of financial analysis and its interpretation.
Understanding of the legal framework; Public Enterprise Act,
Finance Act, Companies Act.
Qualification: Previous experience with policy matters
and the assessed ability to give advice to the Permanent
Secretary at political level is required, is experience of
negotiation/discussion with senior staff of Government and
Non-Government Agencies. Officers should have shown
well-rounded forceful personalities with proven intellectual
capacity and the willingness and ability to take far-reaching
decision. Proven ability to manage manpower and physical
resources effectively is required in positions at this level,
which have a bias towards Senior Management rather
than policy and considerate work. The best graduate with
specialist degrees entering the Service at SS04/03 or
equivalent levels may achieve this level after not less than
13 years of service including at least 3 years at Principal
level in their discipline. Non-specialist graduates and nongraduates may achieve this level with not less than 18 and
21 years service respectively unless specialized training
leading to appropriate higher-level qualifications has been
completed during the career.
Salary: US04 $45,198 - $54,776
DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION
220/2011 - CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICER
Responsible to the Director of Immigration for the
coordination, control and good leadership to enhance the
organization and operations of all relevant tasks at all levels.
The position is responsible for the efficient and effective
operation of the Department through formulation of policies
relating to Border Control, Citizenships, Passports, Permits,
Investments, Visas, Refugees, Investigations and Migration
issues. Facilitates and coordinate the development of a
realistic business plan and effective monitoring of outputs
and strategies; Formulate workplace policies to assist in
the effective and efficient management of the Department’s
operations and staff. Ensure professional development and
healthy relationship amongst the Immigration personnel and
its stakeholders and enforce discipline in the Department
and able to provide sound leadership and timely advice on
immigration matters. The role of the Chief Immigration Officer
is to provide leadership direction in the coordination of the
Department’s role through administration and enforcement
of the Immigration Act, Passport Act and Citizenship Decree,
policies, regulations, and standards relating to Immigration
and to effectively manage the overall operations of the
Department and provide proper advice to the Director of
Immigration.
Qualification: Previous experience with policy matters
and the assessed ability to give advice to the Permanent
Secretary at political level is required, is experience of
negotiation/discussion with senior staff of Government and
Non-Government Agencies. Officers should have shown
well-rounded forceful personalities with proven intellectual
capacity and the willingness and ability to take far-reaching
decision. Proven ability to manage manpower and physical
resources effectively is required in positions at this level,
which have a bias towards Senior Management rather
than policy and considerate work. The best graduate with
specialist degrees entering the Service at SS04/03 or
equivalent levels may achieve this level after not less than
13 years of service including at least 3 years at Principal
level in their discipline. Non-specialist graduates and nongraduates may achieve this level with not less than 18 and
21 years service respectively unless specialized training
leading to appropriate higher-level qualifications has been
10
completed during the career.
Salary: US04 $45,198 - $54,776
Applications on completed GP 142 for the following
posts should be addressed to:
The Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Public Enterprise, Communications, Civil
Aviation and Tourism
P O Box 2278
Government Buildings
Suva
221/2011 - PRINCIPAL ECONOMIC PLANNING OFFICER
[RESTRUCTURING]
The position oversees the effective and timely implementation
of re-organization and restructuring programmes relating
to Public Enterprise Reform. The position also deals with
providing policy advice to the Permanent Secretary in regard
to the operations of Government Commercial Companies,
Commercial Statutory Authorities and other Government
Ministry/Department that have been declared reorganization
enterprises. The position provides assistance and direction
to SEPO and EPOs in regard to their individual projects.
The officer is also expected to carry out other duties from
time to time in regard to other projects under the direction
of the Director Public Enterprises or Permanent Secretary.
To ensure the provision of timely advice on strategies and/
or policies that need to be implemented to successfully
restructure Ministry/Departments and Public Entities
declared as Re-organization Enterprises under the Public
Enterprise Act 1996. As Head of the Unit, to co-ordinate
proper management of change processes and ensuring that
implementation of plans are within the stipulated timeframe
agreed by Cabinet. In doing so, provide guidance and
assistance to sub-ordinates in their work, ensuring that
relevant stakeholders are involved and strategic issues are
highlighted to and considered by appropriate parties prior to
or during the early stages of the implementing the change
processes. Effectively communication to stakeholders both
internally and externally the rationale for reforming Ministry/
Departments
and public enterprises and the progress
made in implanting changes. Stakeholders will include
Boards, management and staff of Ministry/Departments and
Public Enterprises being reformed, relevant Ministries and
their Ministers, resource owners, customers, unions and
the general public. This communication will also involve
providing regular updates and reports to Cabinet. Ensure
that an effective competent and motivated professional
workforce is recruited and retained to mange reform
projects as well as provide advice on issues that need to
be addressed. As head of the Unit, determine areas that
need improvement of skills and knowledge and recommend
appropriate training programmes to be considered by
the Permanent Secretary. Effectively manage the Unit’s
resources including staffing and budget. Coordinates the
provision of appropriate equipment and stores to facilitate
the work required to the Unit.
Qualification: An officer of high calibre. Qualifications
required for appointment as Senior Economic Planning
Officer and around 2-3 years service in that grade or
equivalent or relevant degree or postgraduate qualification
and/or relevant skills and experience in this particular field
in any other organisation. Ability to manage staff and
resources. Must have demonstrated intellectual capacity,
drive, determination and flair in existing grade and proven to
be a meritorious performer.
Salary: SS01 $35,466 - $44,787
222/2011 - PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTS OFFICER
[Principal Financial Analyst]
The position monitors and provides advice on strategies for
performance improvement of designated GCCs and CSAs.
The incumbent is required to monitor performance of the
designated entities that is assigned to the person based
on the Reform & Monitoring Unit Business Plan including
those that are entrusted with the five subordinate officers.
The position provides recommendations on strategies for
improvement of public enterprises’ performance. The advice
is provided at both planning and implementation stages by
carrying out assessment of planning documents (Corporate
Plan, Statement of Corporate Intent, and Employment and
Industrial Relations Plan) and performance reports (Annual
Report and Audited Financial Statements, Half-Year Reports,
Monthly Board Papers). Attend meetings/discussions with
Line Ministries and Ministry of Finance, as well as Boards
and Management of public enterprises, and attendance at
Board meetings is also part of this accountability; Assist in
the restructuring process of designated public enterprises
assigned by Senior Management taking the lead role for
such initiatives. This work includes Secretariat to Committee
and preparation of restructuring plan, Cabinet papers,
attending meetings and preparation of briefs, papers and
correspondences relating to this project. Assistance in
management of the organization may be required, as well as
facilitating its reform/privatization; Provide report on Board
performance, based on observations at Board meetings
as well as on performance of public enterprises and other
non-financial information; Provide support services to
Senior Management to ensure provision of quality papers,
reports and correspondences of the Ministry. This work
includes conducting of research for Policy papers, which are
coordinated by the Policy, Research & Awareness unit.
Qualification: Appointee must have a degree or post
graduate degree in accounting, or Finance and a member
of Fiji Institute of Accountants or an equivalent/recognized
professional body. He/She should have also served at least
2 years as Senior Accounts Officer or relevant experience in
any other organisation, or without the 2 years requirement,
has demonstrated intellectual capacity drive, determination
and flair in existing grade or position. OR An officer of
high caliber. Qualification required for appointment as
Senior Accounts Officer for at least 2 years and must have
demonstrated intellectual capacity, drive, determination and
flair in existing grade/position. Consistently good reports and
ability to manage staff and resources.
Salary: AC01 $40,201 - $51,302
223/2011 - SENIOR ECONOMIC PLANNING OFFICER
[Restructuring Unit]
The position is responsible to the Principal Economic
Planning Officer of the Department of Public Enterprises
for the facilitation and implementation of reorganization
and restructuring of Government Ministries, Departments
and Public Entities in line with Government’s Public
Enterprise Reform Programme. The incumbent is required
to research and gather information for entities declared
as Reorganisation Enterprises and prepare preliminary
reports. Secretariat of Tasks Forces or Charter Preparation
Committees established for the reform projects. Prepare
other meeting reports and briefs and assist in preparation
of papers for assigned entities as and when required.
Research and preparation of draft Cabinet Papers and
Speaking Notes for Public Enterprises and represent the
Ministry at Workshops, Board meetings and other meetings
as directed by PSPECCAT.
Qualification: Qualifications required for appointment as
Economic Planning Officer and around 2-3 years service in
that grade or equivalent or a relevant degree and/or relevant
skills and experience in this particular field in any other
organisation. Assessed potential and ability to progress
beyond Senior Economic Planning Officer level.
Salary: SS02 $26,063 - $33,154
224/2011, 225/2011 - ACCOUNTS OFFICER
[Financial Analyst] - 2 POSTS
The position reports to the Senior Financial Analyst,
monitors and provides advice on strategies for performance
improvement of designated Government Commercial
Companies (GCC) and Commercial Statutory Authorities
(CSA). The incumbent is required to monitor performance
of the designated entities that is assigned to the person
based on the Reform & Monitoring Unit Business Plan:
Provide recommendations on strategies for improvement
of public enterprises’ performance. The advice is provided
at both planning and implementation stages by carrying
out assessment of planning documents (Corporate Plan,
Statement of Corporate Intent, and Employment and
Industrial Relations Plan) and performance reports (Annual
Report and Audited Financial Statements, Half-Year Reports,
Monthly Board Papers). Attend meetings/discussions with
Line Ministries and Ministry of Finance, as well as Boards
and Management of public enterprises, and attendance at
Board meetings is also part of this accountability; Assist in
the restructuring process of designated public enterprises
assigned by Senior Management including taking the lead
role for such initiatives. This work includes Secretariat to
Committee and preparation of restructuring plan, Cabinet
papers, attending meetings and preparation of briefs, papers
and correspondences relating to this project. Assistance in
management of the organization may be required, as well as
facilitating its reform/privatization; Provide report on Board
performance, based on observations at Board meetings
as well as on performance of public enterprises and other
non-financial information; Provide support services to
Senior Management to ensure provision of quality papers,
reports and correspondences of the Ministry. This work
includes conducting of research for Policy papers, which are
coordinated by the Strategy unit; Responsible for checking
compliance with reporting requirements of the Public
Enterprise Act, and implement measures for promoting
compliance and facilitates enquiries and directives from
senior management that relate to the entities assigned to
the position.
Qualification: A degree in Accounting, Finance or Business
Studies and preferably a member of the Fiji Institute of
Accountants or a recognized or an equivalent/ recognized
professional body. OR He/She should have served at least 2
years as Assistant Accounts Office and have demonstrated
intellectual capacity, drive, determination and flair in existing
grade or position. Should be a team player and has acquired
consistently good reports.
Salary: AC03 $22,799 - $29,730
226/2011, 227/2011, 228/2011 - ECONOMIC PLANNING
OFFICER [Restructure Unit] - 3 POSTS
The position reports to the Senior Economic Planning
in effectively coordinating the implementation of reorganization and restructuring programmes relating to
Public Sector Reform. Gather information for entities
declared as Re-organization Enterprises and prepare
preliminary reports. Secretariat of Task Forces or Charter
Preparation Committees established for the Reorganization
of entities. Prepare other meeting reports and briefs, and
assist in preparation of papers as and when required. Assist
in the preparation of Cabinet Papers and Assist in research,
analyze, Carry out other tasks related as assigned by Senior
March 12, 2011
www.fiji.gov.fj
Management as and when required.
Salary: SS02 $26,063 - $33,154
Qualification: A Good Degree in Economics/Statistics or
equivalent is essential and it is expected that all posts in this
grade will be filled by officers showing potential to reach at
least Principal level with relevant skills and experience in this
particular field in any other organisation.
232/2011 - SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
[Senior Tourism Officer – Research & Systems]
Salary: SS03 $20,335 - $25,990
229/2011 - SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
[Senior Tourism Officer- Strategy]
Responsible to the Director of Tourism and Principal
Tourism Officer (Strategy), key responsibilities include, but
are not limited to: Providing policy recommendations and
initiatives that ensure optimal and sustainable development
of tourism; consolidation of monthly, quarterly and annual
reports for the strategy division in line with government
reporting requirements; Developing and monitoring of
tourism initiatives and strategies to ensure maximum
returns; Assist with the monitoring of government funded
tourism projects and organizations as required; Assist with
the monitoring new projects and initiatives implemented
to ensure they are complying to performance measures;
Assist with the overseeing the implementation and review
of the Tourism Master Plan (Fiji Tourism Development Plan
2007 – 2016) ; Developing, establishing and maintaining
professional working relationships with relevant government
and private sectors stakeholders; Participate as required in
tourism taskforces, national councils and meetings relating
to the product development division; Carrying out duties as
directed by the Director or Permanent Secretary for Tourism.
Principal accountabilities include: Develop strategies to
reduce national costs and improve benefits; Monitor and
maximize return on investment from major government
investments ; Build regional and international partnerships.
Qualification: Qualifications required for appointment
as Administrative Officer and at least 2-3 years service in
that grade or equivalent or relevant degree and/or relevant
skills and experience in this particular field in any other
organisation. Assessed potential and ability to progress
beyond Senior Administrative Officer.
Salary: SS02 $26,063 - $33,154
230/2011 - SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
[Senior Tourism Officer- Product Development/
Investment]
Responsible to the Director of Tourism and Principal
Tourism Officer (Product Development/ Investment), key
responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Providing
policy recommendations and initiatives that ensure optimal
and sustainable development of tourism; consolidation
of monthly, quarterly and annual reports for the product
development division in line with government reporting
requirements ; Developing, establishing and maintaining
professional working relationships with relevant government
and private sectors stakeholders; Identification, consolidation,
documentation and monitoring of tourism development
needs; Ensuring identified tourism development needs
are addressed; Ensuring product development needs
are aligned to the Fiji Tourism Development Plan and
the national policies ; Participate as required in tourism
taskforces, national councils and meetings relating to the
Product Development/Investment division; Carrying out
duties as directed by the Director or Permanent Secretary
for Tourism. Principal accountabilities include: Update
investor and development requirements for tourism ; Track
industry training needs and update educational institutions;
Identify and encourage opportunities to increase length of
stay; Assist with and recommend initiatives for product
development.
Qualification: Qualifications required for appointment
as Administrative Officer and at least 2-3 years service in
that grade or equivalent or relevant degree and/or relevant
skills and experience in this particular field in any other
organisation. Assessed potential and ability to progress
beyond Senior Administrative Officer.
Salary: SS02 $26,063 - $33,154
231/2011 - SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
[Senior Tourism Officer – Policy & Regulation]
Responsible to the Director of Tourism and Principal Tourism
Officer (Policy & Regulation) , key responsibilities include,
but are not limited to: Providing policy recommendations and
initiatives that ensure optimal and sustainable development
of tourism; consolidation of monthly, quarterly and annual
reports for the policy and regulation division in line with
government reporting requirements; Assist with the devising
a set of principles and practices to guide and facilitate tourism
policy and regulation. ; Coordinating development of policies
and regulations for tourism; consultation with the relevant
authorities on tourism policy implementation, monitoring and
regulation; Participate as required in tourism taskforces,
national councils and meetings relating to the Policy and
Regulation division, Carrying out duties as directed by the
Director or Permanent Secretary for Tourism. Principal
accountabilities include: Aggregate data from agencies and
government sources; Monitor policies affecting the visitor
industry; Assist relevant government agencies to identify,
regulate and reduce illegal unlicensed operations
Qualification: Qualifications required for appointment
as Administrative Officer and at least 2-3 years service in
that grade or equivalent or relevant degree and/or relevant
skills and experience in this particular field in any other
organisation. Assessed potential and ability to progress
beyond Senior Administrative Officer.
March 12, 2011
Responsible to the Director of Tourism and Principal Tourism
Officer (PTO) Research & Systems, key responsibilities
include, but are not limited to: Assisting the PTO in providing
policy recommendations and initiatives that ensure optimal
and sustainable development of tourism; consolidation of
monthly, quarterly and annual reports for the division in
line with government reporting requirements; collation and
analysis of data for the research; Assist in the preparation
of tourism sector policy and research papers; Researching
and collating tourism related intelligence; Organizing and
coordinating meetings for the division; Participate as required
in tourism taskforces, national councils and meetings relating
to the Research and Systems division; Carrying out duties
as directed by the Director or Permanent Secretary for
Tourism. Principal accountabilities include: Collate financial
and visitor data; Maintain and coordinate hotel intelligence
Gateway; Coordinate and analyze international visitor
survey; Analyze data, project trends and complete forecasts
on a regular basis
Qualification: Qualifications required for appointment
as Administrative Officer and at least 2-3 years service in
that grade or equivalent or relevant degree and/or relevant
skills and experience in this particular field in any other
organisation. Assessed potential and ability to progress
beyond Senior Administrative Officer.
Salary: SS02 $26,063 - $33,154
Applications on completed GP 142 for the following
posts should be addressed to:
The Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Defence, National Security and Immigration
P O Box 2349
Government Buildings
Suva
DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION
233/2011, 234/2011 - IMMIGRATION OFFICER [2 POSTS]
- SAVUSAVU
- LAUTOKA
Responsible to the Principal Immigration Officer [Border
Control] for processing of work permit applications and
compiling of permit papers for the Work Permit Committee
meeting. Issue Approval of Short Term Permit and CoExtensive Permits, Facilitation of entry and departure for
all permit applicants in these categories, checking and
endorsing of all monthly quarterly and annual reports.
Overall supervision of all officers under his/her charge, and
the day to day operations of the office.
Qualification: Qualifications required for appointment as
Assistant Immigration Officer and at least 2-3 years service
in that grade or equivalent or relevant skills and experience
in this particular field in any other organisation. Assessed
potential and ability to progress at least one grade beyond
Immigration Officer level OR University Degree in Business/
Management Studies or equivalent.
Salary: SS03 $20,335 - $25,990
235/2011 - ASSISTANT IMMIGRATION OFFICER
- LEVUKA
Responsible to the Principal Immigration Officer [Border
Control] through Immigration Officer in the performance
of Immigration duties, clearance of overseas aircrafts and
vessels, processing of permits and passports application,
conducting of investigation and maintaining various registers.
Qualification: Qualifications required for appointment as
Immigration Inspector and at least 2-3 years service as
Immigration Inspector or equivalent or relevant skills and
experience in this particular field in any other organisation.
Assessed potential and ability to contribute in a management
role.
Salary: SS04 $15,689 - $20,018
Applications on completed GP 142 for the following
posts should be addressed to:
The Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Primary Industries
Private Mail Bag
Raiwaqa
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
236/2011 - AGRICULTURAL OFFICER [REGULATORY]
Responsible to the Principal Veterinary Officer for the
supervision of all slaughterhouses and poultry processing
plants. Monitoring and the inspection of canneries. Licensing
of slaughter-men and meat carrying vehicles. Preparation of
poultry abattoir production figures. Monitoring egg grading on
farms and retail outlets. Vermin Control – includes stray and
wild animal shooting (Public roads and farms settlements).
Dog Control Work (villages, farms, settlements, towns,
and airport). Budgeting, construction and co-ordination of
work on animal pounds. Co-ordinate investigation and
prosecution of offences relating to laws under the AH&P
Division. Any other matter which is Regulatory in nature.
Preparation of PSIP, RIE, QPPR, Quarterly and Annual
reports. Management and supervision of staff, financial and
other resources allocated to the Section.
FIJI FOCUS
Qualification: Qualifications required for appointment
as Assistant Agricultural Officer and at least 2-3 years
service in that grade or equivalent and/or relevant skills and
experience in this particular field in any other organisation.
Consistently good reports with demonstrated ability to
supervise and control staff and ability to perform effectively
in rural situations; OR A good degree in an appropriate
Agricultural discipline.
Salary: PR03 20,335 - $26,810
237/2011 - AGRICULTURAL OFFICER [AH&P - REWA]
Responsible to the Senior Agricultural Officer (AH&P –
Central/Eastern] for coordinating, planning and execution
of all livestock production extension activities, animal health
and enforcement of laws and regulation related to livestock
under the Animal Health Act within the locality of Rewa
and be based in Nausori. Assist with the general control
and prevention of animal diseases in the locality. Provide
back-up service and moral support to technical staff on the
Animal Health and Production issues. Assist in supervision
of clinical and regulatory work with particular emphasis on
Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign, Meat
inspection and Surveillance, Brand Registration, Animal
Licenses and Dog Control Campaign. Co-ordinate the
capital programmes. Assist the Senior Agricultural Officer
(AH&P – Central/Eastern) with administrative duties by
collecting data and compiling monthly, quarterly and Annual
reports for the Division. Carry out any other duties that may
be required from time to time by the SAO (AH&P – Central/
Eastern). Management and supervision of staff, financial
and other resources allocated to the Section.
Qualification: Qualifications required for appointment
as Assistant Agricultural Officer and at least 2-3 years
service in that grade or equivalent and/or relevant skills and
experience in this particular field in any other organisation.
Consistently good reports with demonstrated ability to
supervise and control staff and ability to perform effectively
in rural situations; OR A good degree in an appropriate
Agricultural discipline.
Salary: PR03 20,335 - $26,810
238/2011 - AGRICULTURAL TECHINCAL OFFICER
[Artificial Breeding]
Responsible to the Senior Agricultural Officer [Beef/
Dairy] for the co-ordination, planning and execution of the
Artificial Insemination Programme on livestock farms and
government research stations. Provide advisory services to
livestock farmers and livestock extension officers on better
record keeping, bull and heifer selection, heat detection, calf
rearing management, pasture development and nutrition.
Assist in the selection and ordering of livestock semen and
breeding sires from overseas. Prepare monthly, quarterly
and yearly reports. Management and supervision of staff,
financial and other resources allocated to the Section.
Qualification: Qualifications required for appointment as
Agricultural Assistant with a pass in R (1) Exam and at least
2-3 years service in that grade or equivalent and/or relevant
skills and experience in this particular field in another
organisation. Consistently good reports and assessed
potential and ability to supervise and control staff. Ability
to perform effectively in rural situations; OR A good degree
and assessed at interview to have potential to reach at least
Principal level.
Salary: PR04 $15,689 - $20,018
239/2011 - AGRICULTURAL TECHINCAL OFFICER
[AH&P-LAUTOKA]
Responsible to the Agricultural Officer [AH&P – North/West]
for the co-ordination, planning and execution of all livestock
production and extension activities, animal health &
enforcement of laws and regulation relating to livestock under
the animal health act in the locality of Lautoka. Supervise and
co-ordinate work programme, clinical, regulatory, disease
eradication, meat inspection and surveillance, animal
license and dog campaign. Prepare monthly, quarterly and
yearly reports and provide technical service to field staff on
animal production matters. Management and supervision of
staff, financial and other resources allocated to the Section.
Qualification: Qualifications required for appointment as
Agricultural Assistant with a pass in R (1) Exam and at least
2-3 years service in that grade or equivalent and/or relevant
skills and experience in this particular field in another
organisation. Consistently good reports and assessed
potential and ability to supervise and control staff. Ability
to perform effectively in rural situations; OR A good degree
and assessed at interview to have potential to reach at least
Principal level.
Salary: PR04 $15,689 - $20,018
240/2011 - ASSISTANT ACCOUNTS OFFICER [AH&P]
Responsible to Director Animal Health & Production on
the operations of the accounts unit involving maintenance
of correct records of accounts transaction and provision
of accurate and timely financial reports. Supervise ledger
clerks, record incoming financial allocations and expenditure
with appropriate authorisation and timely payment of
accounts. Prepare weekly wages inputs, payment of wages
and reconcile wage payments. Daily collect revenue and
lodgement. Update revenue collection charts, maintain main
stock register and provide quarterly arrears of revenue and
receipts. Compilation of operating budget and Requisition to
Incur Expenditure. Supervise staff and provide on the job
11
FIJI FOCUS
www.fiji.gov.fj
“Love of liberty means the guarding of every resource that makes freedom possible.” D
Better days are coming ... Five-year-old Salote Rabaleilekutu takes a dip in
Galoa Bay where a new wharf for the bauxite mine will be situated.
Good life
looms on
horizon
Stories/pictures By THERESA RALOGAIVAU
EVERYDAY, Tomasi Cauva, so scared.”
The whole community is in
12, excitedly plays about the
anticipation mode.
mangrove swamps fringing
An emotional Kolinio
Galoa Bay, imagining the
sheer size of the bauxite jetty Sarolevu, the spokesperson
for the mataqali Nalutu
that will be soon constructed
said it was hard to grasp
there.
the reality bauxite mining
He lives in a bamboo
promised.
thatched home that looks too
“Our elders never saw
weak to withstand the fury
a development lift off on
forces of nature can unleash.
mataqali grounds and
His humble home is just
now I’m probably fourth
a stone’s throw away from
generation living here and
where the jetty will rise
am witnessing it for the first
above the waves.
time,” he said.
The son of a fisherman,
“The only source of
Cauva is used to the long
income here is the sea or
hard walk to school, and an
copra but it’s hard to take
experienced rider.
to the markets because
He’s after all the offspring
transportation costs wipe out
of a horseback community
any profit we make.
– horses link isolated Baravi
“We can now also
community to economic
raise livestock to support
opportunities, trade,
education, family needs and
education, and health.
the church commitments.
However, the immense
“Our children walk
size of the jetty on his mind
10 miles to school at
is reflective of the change
Waibunabuna primary –
he anticipates once all the
bauxite mining infrastructure when the weather is wet they
walk or we pay carrier fares.
developments take place.
“We hope this
“I know they will make
development will improve
the road better so buses can
family livelihoods, especially
come near my home because
children’s education, and
my father says he cannot pay
the future will bring us good
for the carrier fare which is
times.” Mr Sarolevu echoes
expensive,” he said.
the dreams of a community,
“At least I won’t have to
walk that long to school, And long suffering the difficulties
of poor infrastructure but that
we will have a better home,
will soon be remedied with
last time the cyclone almost
bauxite mining.
blew our home away, I was
12
Cheers to the future ... Nawailevu villagers with Aurum Exploration (Fiji) Limited
Aurum invest
AURUM Explorations (Fiji)
Limited is investing about $20m
into bauxite mining works in Bua.
The costs cover infrastructure
developments, employment,
transportation and other logistics.
A jetty that extends 600 meters
out to sea and is seven meters
wide will be constructed at Galoa
Bay.
Bauxite ores will be loaded
onto two, 2,000 tonne barges that
will transport ores out to a 70,000
tonne vessel anchored out on the
international sea lanes.
The ores are shipped directly
for processing in smelting plants
Company will bui
Visionary ... Tom Guo of Aurum Exploration points out to Galoa Bay where
the jetty will be built.
GOOD roads are one of the most imm
Nawailevu in Bua.
For villagers of Baravi, on whose s
be constructed, days of long walks an
shop or even the Health Centre at Lek
Aurum Exploration (Fiji) Limited o
10-kilometer stretch that leads into Ba
allow for two lane traffic.
The road that leads out of the mine
road that leads to the village and abou
Nabouwalu highway will also be upg
“The company will fix the road, w
trucks we want to move around on bo
time,” Mr Vanuaca said.
“These are big 10-wheeler trucks th
mine site to the stock pile near Baravi
Commissioner Northern Lieutenant
in Bua province have to a large exten
“Because of difficulties with transp
difficult and this has dampened the in
utilising their resources like copra and
“Education has also been affected, lon
be easy for children and this is all set
Stronger link
Casting nets ... Tomasi Cauva mends his father’s fishing nets. It’s a life he
wants to leave behind to focus on education .
BAUXITE mining at Nawailevu,
Bua is serving to strengthen
the links between an economic
superpower and a small nation in
the South Seas.
Minister for Lands and Mineral
Resources Netani Sukanaivalu
the commencement of mining
works in the Bua province will
strengthen not only the political,
cultural but also the socio
economic relations between China
March 12, 2011
www.fiji.gov.fj
Dwight Eisenhower
IRB cannot be seen supporting deception
I
By PERCY KEANE
d director Simon Chen Bao.
ts $20million
in China. “While we are building
our infrastructure we will be
working at the mine, we will be
stockpiling them,” said Aurum
directors.
“As soon the jetty is done and
roads are fixed we will bring in the
first load and put it on the barge
for loading on the ship.
“So our infrastructure does not
hold us from getting the mine
ready.
“It is all done concurrently
because we are very much
aware of Government’s need
for us to export quickly and get
Government foreign reserves.”
ild bettter roads
mediate benefits of bauxite mining at
shores the bauxite loading jetty will
nd horseback rides to school, the
kutu, may soon be over.
official Basilio Vanuaca said the
aravi Village would be widened to
site near Nawailevu Village, the
ut five kilometers of the Labasa
graded.
widen it because we have dump
oth sides of the road at the same
hat will carry bauxite ores from the
i Village.”
t Colonel Inia Seruiratu noted roads
nt influenced living standards.
portation, market access has been
nterest of villagers in actively
d fishing for economic gain.”
ng walks to school and back cannot
to change.”
ks with China
and Fiji.
“The people of both China and
Fiji will undoubtedly be the main
beneficiaries of such alliance,” he
said.
“For this, I wish to extend the
Government of Fiji’s profound
gratitude to the Government of the
People’s Republic of China based
on the sincerity of our friendship
with China.”
March 12, 2011
FIJI FOCUS
t’s great news that the Fijian
Government is ready to bail
the Fiji Rugby Union with a
$3million injection.
This is money to prepare our
national team to the 2011 Rugby
World Cup in New Zealand.
But rightly so, there are conditions
attached.
It’s five months away from the
RWC and already the Flying Fijians
are on the back foot because of
chronic problems in the old rugby
house on Gordon Street.
My question however, is directed
to the International Rugby Board
officials who tried to justify FRU
case.
Why did IRB chef executive Mike
Miller and William Glenwright)
have to travel to meet Sports
Minister Filipe Bole in Suva when
we have capable people to sort out
our age-old rugby woes.
It surely had to do with the
controversy that unfolded after
the Grand Lottery crisis. The Fiji
Commerce Commission’s findings
By SOLO LEWANAVANUA
F
IJI Sports Council has a
vision to develop the best
public sporting, recreational,
leisure and events facilities in Fiji.
While the council has shown it
is geared up to work with all major
sporting stakeholders to acommplish
its objectives it is aware that all talk
and plans will come back to the
dollar as building and maintaining
such facilities cost money.
“Last year, the board recruited
Erasito Consultants to do a scoping
study and start looking at what our
facilities really need, the principal
one being our oldest facility - the
TFL National Stadium,” said FSC
Board chairman Mr Peter Mazey.
The recommendation made by
consultants was to turn the National
Stadium into an international ground
with proper lightings that were
compatible for television coverage
to capitalise on revenue through TV
rights.
“The cost factor is between
$12million to $15m and we now
have to look at how we action that,
we will be doing the same for the
Vodafone Arena, National Aquatic
Centre, Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka
and on our ground in Rakiraki,” Mr
Mazey said.
“The Fiji Sports Council is also
looking to support Government
through its efforts to promote
participation in sports and the
development of a healthy nation.
“In June or July we are facilitating
the Danish Gymnastic and they are
going to bring some exciting new
type of sports. They are also active
in a world wide programme called
‘good sports for all, which involves
old and young.”
Mr Mazey said the sports council
would work closely with the
Department of Youth and Sports to
reach out to communities to bring
sports to all at grassroots level.
Managing and maintaining
facilities is also an important
objective for the council beginning
this year.
One important area of attention is
the Occupational Health and Safety
concerns of patrons using FSC
revealed the FRU had breached the
Grand Lottery permit conditions in a
number of ways.
Among these, the FRU used
revenue collected for the purpose
other than that stated in the permit.
and not including some tickets in
the draw. This was reason enough
to attract the long arm of the
commission, which entered the FRU
office with a search and seizure
warrant looking for the rot.
At this stage whether winners
have collected their lottery prize
money has been conveniently
become second fiddle. All files
are probably somewhere between
the commission’s office and the
court house where FRU must be
summoned to enlighten an unaware
rugby public of the true picture.
But why has those FRU directors,
who must stand liable for the
ridiculous mess, seek the help of
IRB? I guess desperate situations
call for desperate measures just
as the former MP and cronies
intentionally sold ticket butts at
different prices.
So, the possible motive of IRB’s
top brass was to strike a deal in the
name of dialouge with Government.
FRU wanted the commission
to return all lottery records to
rugby house so accounts could be
reconciled. Playing for time and
hanging on to power.
Lottery promoter and former FRU
chairman Bill Gavoka said money
raised from the lottery was for the
Flying Fijians for 2011 RWC. Yet
with his very knowledge funds from
the lottery was misused and took a
walk.
Based on the commission’s
findings, the deception is quite clear.
Among sections of the Commerce
Commission Decree 2010 breaches
were for deceptive or misleading
conduct, for unconscionable conduct
and failure to provide gifts and
prizes as offered.
That is why I feel the IRB must
not be seen to support alleged
deception. The IRB officials
involvement, by saying this and that,
on behalf of FRU indirectly means
they support fraud.
The FRU directors are liable and
should be responsible. It’s clear
the lottery, eventually was making
profit by deception. Money from the
lottery was to prepare the Fiji team
not for personal use or directed into
some “other” account.
Now, with a condition sealed
to return lottery records, maybe
Umshe Smart-aleck (fictitious FRU
accountant’s name) can say they
borrowed it for other expenses.
Facelift for sports
council facilities
Action from the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s at the tfl National Stadium,
that will soon have new high-tech lighting system.
facilities.
“We can have 10,000 to 20,000
people in one of our facilities.
What happens if we do have a risk
scenario? We have to be able to
look ahead and take proactive steps
instead of reacting,” the FSC Board
chairman said.
“The main stadium lights had to
be removed because the engineers
report showed that their life span
had come to an end and they were an
OHS risk.
“When taken down the situation of
the lights were worse than what we
thought.”
Mr Mazey said they were now
in the process of arranging for new
lights to come from overseas since
they were not available locally.
“It will take a few months for the
lights to be manufactured overseas,”
he said.
Human resource is also an area the
council is looking to enhance.
“Our fifth objective is human
resources but that doesn’t necessarily
mean increasing the number of
If that’s the convincing defence
FRU hopes to use as smokescreen
then directors should replace it, not
dip from IRB’s development funds
as they did to balance the 2009
annual financial statement.
It must be accounted for. Money
doesn’t just disappear. It’s redirected
for other purpose.
This is why the IRB should not
have been involved just because
FRU made it look like a crisis.
The FRU Council must not play
politics and remember this was
revenue members of the public
contributed for our children’s sake.
That’s why FRU must first clean
its house and simply follow its
constitution to address the situation
it has placed itself in.
The recent scheduling of a Special
General Meeting to find solutions,
on the day of the Fiji Bitter Marist
7s and opening round of the Digicel
Cup competition does not make
sense. As Lawrence said it’s like
calling for a principals meeting
during the Coke Games.
$3million is a lot of money
and Government must have some
control, mainly for accountability,
so funds are used for the purpose it
was intended and not placed with
management whose ethical standards
remain questionable.
people employed by the sports
council,” Mr Mazey said.
“It’s a matter, that involves
finding the right people for the right
jobs.
“Also, I think one of the things
we have missed out here is to make
sure we re-establish the Sports
Development Unit and an academy
to develop sports in this country.”
With its assets valued at about
$60 million, Fiji Sports Council is
arguably the nation’s richest sporting
body.
It boasts facilities in various parts
of the country like the National
Gymnasium, the Vodafone Arena,
the National Aquatic Centre, the
multi purpose courts, the National
Netball Centre, the Victoria Tennis
Courts, the TFL National Stadium,
houses the Rugby High Performance
Unit, the National Hockey Centre,
the National Sailing Centre, and the
Buckhurst and Bidesi parks in Suva.
At Navua the council looks after
Thompson Park. In the Western
Division the council’s facilities
include Lawaqa Park, Vadravadra
Youth /Sports academy in the Coral
Coast, the Lautoka International
Tennis Centre and the Rakiraki
sports ground.
It seems, however that the
council’s reputation will be further
enhanced with the resolution to
develop commercial opportunities
as discussed at the recent strategic
planning workshop in Suva.
“We have 15 acres of prime land
on the coral coast but we haven’t
done anything with it,” Mr Mazey
said.
“We are now developing it into
a sports youth academy right next
to the Sigatoka sand dunes, which
goes from the main road to the
beach where we are going to have
accommodation for approximately
100 youths” he said.
Mr Mazey said the
accommodation would be sold to
tourists youths under 18.
“It will also allow us to give
students from the outer islands in
Fiji an opportunity to come and
learn different sports for two or three
weeks at a discounted rate.”
13
FIJI FOCUS
training to subordinate staff. Assist the Director Animal Health
& Production in preparation of Business Plan, Quarterly
and Annual reports. Management and supervision of staff,
financial and other resources allocated to the Section.
Qualification: A minimum of a degree in accounting or
related discipline or equivalent from a recognized institution.
OR A pass in service exam U. Appointee must have served
at least one year in SS05 grade and have passed H1 & H2
service and have demonstrated intellectual capacity, drive,
determination and flair in existing grade or position; or
successfully completed Form 7 examination with a pass in
accounting.
Salary: AC04 $17,687 - $22,724
241/2011 - SENIOR RESEARCH OFFICER
[Horticulture/Diversification]
Responsible to the Director Research through Principal
Research Officer [Horticulture] for the implementation and
coordination of pulse and crop diversification research
programmes. The work entails preparation of annual work
programmes, preparation of research trials, data collection,
analysis, interpretation and writing scientific papers. Identify,
introduce and conduct research on new commodities with
potential for cultivation in the dry zones of the country.
Disseminate research findings to clients through trainings
and demonstration, keep abreast with new technologies and
developments in the dry zone commodities. The incumbent
will also be required to administer the affairs of Legalega
Research Station, manage its resources and provide on
the job training to staff and employee. The post holder will
required to work closely with the stakeholders.
Qualification: Qualifications required for appointment as
Research Officer and at least 2-3 years service in that grade
or equivalent and/or relevant skills and experience in this
particular field in any other organization. Particular specialist
experience will be required for most posts, and the ability to
manage and train staff.
Salary: SC02 $27,597 - $38,315
242/2011 - SENIOR RESEARCH OFFICER
[Forensic - Chemistry]
Responsible for the planning, budgeting, coordinating
and implementation of Agricultural Chemistry research
programme, analytical services and provide policy advice
to PRO Chemistry/Government. Analyst on matter relating
to Forensic services. Carry out chemical analysis of soil,
plants, feed, water and other agricultural products samples.
He/She provides food and forensic services to the Ministry
of Health and Police, private clients and organizations and
ensures quality assurances. The position manages technical
administrative ad training functions of the Forensic Unit and
develops testing methods to ensure that OHS functions are
adhered to.
Qualification: Qualifications required for appointment as
Research Officer and at least 2-3 years service in that grade
or equivalent and/or relevant skills and experience in this
particular field in any other organization. Particular specialist
experience will be required for most posts, and the ability to
manage and train staff.
Salary: SC02 $27,597 - $38,315
243/2011 - SENIOR RESEARCH OFFICER [Agronomy]
Responsible to the Director Research through the Principal
Research Officer [Agronomy] for the management
production of coconut hybrid nursery at Taveuni Coconut
Centre, Wainigata Research Station and other smaller
stations. Monitor tree crop demonstration plots, germplasm
collections, varietals evaluation trials and other agronomy
trials. National Coordinator for COGNET [International
Coconut Genetic Network, management and subordinate
staff and resources OIC, TCC and WRS]. Identify, formulate
and implement new development related research to
enhance tree crop industry and prepare scientific report.
Collate, catalogue, and disseminate tree crop information
and training of staff.
Qualification: Qualifications required for appointment as
Research Officer and at least 2-3 years service in that grade
or equivalent and/or relevant skills and experience in this
particular field in any other organization. Particular specialist
experience will be required for most posts, and the ability to
manage and train staff.
Salary: SC02 $27,597 - $38,315
244/2011 - RESEARCH OFFICER
[Plant Protection-Entomology]
Responsible to the Principal Research Officer Plant
Protection in all aspects of field laboratory work in
plant protection research. The work entails developing
appropriate systems and methods to control plant pests and
diseases of crops and advice on technical matters pertaining
to quarantine. Duties include planning, conducting field and
laboratory experiments, collection of field data, analyzing
and interpreting results, publishing research work, advise
on plants/seed importation and quarantine requirements,
diagnose pest/pathogens and farmers, assist PRO (PP)
in the administration and organization of Plant Protection
Section. The officer will be expected to do considerable
travelling within the country and must be willing to work
outside the normal working hours as the work demands.
Qualification: A recognised and good Degree in an
appropriate discipline and/or relevant skills and experience
in this particular field in any other organization with the
14
www.fiji.gov.fj
potential to become a specialist in their selected field.
Salary: SC03 $18,646 - $31,240
245/2011 - SENIOR ENGINEER
[Civil – Design]
Responsible for planning, organizing and carrying out
investigation, feasibility studies and design of drainage,
irrigation, river engineering civil works. Plans, designs,
and directs engineering projects. Supervising and guiding
design engineers and technical support staff in preparation
of drawings. Assist in preparation of cost estimates and
tender documents. Gives engineering advice to assist
in solving problems. Directs or performs surveys for
proposed construction. Estimates costs and determines
feasibility of project based on analysis of collected data.
Prepares or directs preparation of reports, specifications,
plans, construction schedules, and design for project.
Inspects construction site to monitor progress and ensure
conformance to engineering plans, specifications, and
construction and safety standards. Resolves design or
construction problems and meets with contractors and the
public. Uses computer assisted engineering and design
software and equipment to prepare engineering and design
documents.
Qualification: Corporate membership of a recognised
Institute or recognised equivalent qualifications and at least
3 years post graduate experience and/or relevant skills and
experience in this particular field in any other organisation or
relevant degree. Consistently good reports with at least one
superior performance assessment at EP05 and assessed
potential and ability to contribute at Senior level. Particular
specialist experience may be required for some posts.
of the River Engineering Section business plan and yearly
work programme in accordance with budget, allocation.
Qualification: A recognised degree in Civil Engineering or
relevant specialisation with no relevant work experience
and/or relevant skills and experience in this particular field in
any other organisation or relevant degree.
Salary: EP05 $23,888 - $30,342
249/2011 - TECHINCAL OFFICER/SUPERVISOR [Civil]
Responsible to the Senior Engineer for site supervision of
construction works to ensure compliance with designs and
specifications. Carry out calculation of earthwork volumes,
quantities of materials, cost estimates of engineering works
and tally sheets of hired machineries and plant maintenance
of construction dairies, prepare minor engineering designs
and prepare engineering drawings for as built records. Carry
out investigations of drainage problems and preliminary
investigations for design and constructions of proposed
new drainage schemes, care and control of construction,
items and other engineering equipment, prepare progress
report and other engineering reports and control and proper
recording of construction expenditures. Assist the Senior
Engineer in project implementation, maintenance work and
project monitoring, check contractors claims for progress
payments and attend meetings involving engineering matters
when required. Allocate work and supervise subordinate
staff.
Salary: EP04 $30,836 - $41,068
Qualification: Ordinary Technician Diploma or equivalent
qualification and at least 2-3 years service in the ES06 grade
or equivalent and/or relevant skills and experience in this
particular field in any other organisation. Consistently good
reports with at least one superior performance assessment
and with demonstrated ability to supervise and control staff.
246/2011 - SENIOR ENGINEER [Civil – Western]
Salary: ES05 $15,691 - $20,410
Responsible to Principal Engineer [Drainage & Irrigation]
in planning, organizing and carrying out investigation,
feasibility design studies and construction works in
drainage and irrigation projects, river engineering works,
rural roading, village upgrading, land development projects
and maintenance of completed irrigation projects, river
engineering works, rural roading, village upgrading, land
development projects and maintenance of completed
irrigation and drainage schemes of the Division. Carry out
operation, maintenance and monitoring works in the existing
project of the Division. Provide necessary data to Design
section for investigations and design of project/schemes in
the Division. Advise Drainage Boards and other relevant
parties on technical aspects. Assist Principal Engineer in
preparation of budget submissions. Prepare work programme
and cost estimates, progress and full report of projects and
other engineering activities. Verify all progress payments
for engineering works satisfactorily completed according to
design and specifications. Provide technical advise to other
Ministries as required in engineering works. Provide training
and guidance to subordinate staff. Investigate, implement
and monitor Watershed/Water Resource development
and management programme.
Designing, tendering,
construction and monitoring of the projects for Drainage
and Irrigation Section, River Engineering Section and Rural
Development activities.
250/2011 - TECHINCAL OFFICER
[Civil – Land Development & Acquisition]
Qualification: Corporate membership of a recognised
Institute or recognised equivalent qualifications and at least
3 years post graduate experience and/or relevant skills and
experience in this particular field in any other organisation or
relevant degree. Consistently good reports with at least one
superior performance assessment at EP05 and assessed
potential and ability to contribute at Senior level. Particular
specialist experience may be required for some posts.
Salary: EP04 $30,836 - $41,068
247/2011 - ENGINEER [Design]
Assist Senior Engineer (Construction) in planning,
programming and undertaking construction supervision of
drainage, irrigation, river engineering rural roading, village
upgrading, land development and other engineering works.
Undertake operational, maintenance and monitoring work
in the existing drainage and irrigation scheme. Investigate
proposed new schemes including feasibility studies,
preliminary design and assist the Senior Engineer to prepare
contract documents. Attend meetings are required by the
Senior Engineer (Construction) and advising on engineering
matters. Assist the Senior Engineer in budget work
programme control of the contract works. Prepare work
record; prepare physical progress and financial expenditure
reports including annual reports. Verify contractors claims
for progress payments of engineering works satisfactorily
completed. Safe custody and maintenance of equipment.
Supervise and train subordinate staff. Prepare Bill of
Quantities and cost estimates of the works as and when
required.
Qualification: A recognised degree in Civil Engineering or
relevant specialisation with no relevant work experience
and/or relevant skills and experience in this particular field in
any other organisation or relevant degree.
Salary: EP05 $23,888 - $30,342
248/2011 - ENGINEER [River Engineering]
Assist Senior Engineer (River Engineering) in the design
of river engineering works such as dredging, channel
improvement, bank protection works and supervision of the
construction activities. Carry out investigation feasibility
studies, preliminary designs and assist the Senior Engineer
to prepare contract documents. Assist in the preparation
Responsible to the Senior Engineer for land research and
planning, site supervision of construction works to ensure
compliance with designs and specifications. Carry out
field surveys, calculation of earthwork volumes, quantities
of materials, cost estimates of engineering works and
engineering drawings for as built records. Assist the Senior
Engineer in project implementation, maintenance work and
project monitoring.
Qualification: Ordinary Technician Diploma or equivalent
qualification and at least 2-3 years service in the ES06 grade
or equivalent and/or relevant skills and experience in this
particular field in any other organisation. Consistently good
reports with at least one superior performance assessment
and with demonstrated ability to supervise and control staff.
Salary: ES05 $15,691 - $20,410
251/2011 - SENIOR AGRICULTURE OFFICER [STO Op &
Mtce]
Plan, direct, co-ordinate, and oversee the implementation
of the national river dredging programme to achieve the
Divisions objectives. Contribute to the effective management
of financial and personnel resources through the preparation
of business plans, and capital budget. Develops and
ensures that the performance objectives of the national
dredging programmes are achieved by clear communication
of objectives, monitoring and reviewing implementation
and initiating corrective action where necessary. Ensure
conformity to design specifications is achieved through
the monitoring and reviewing of quality assurance and
control standards. Ensure that resource utilization is
maximized through the establishment of scheduled and
planned maintenance programs, and monitoring condition
of equipment. Ensures the sound planning and control
of area operations through the review and monitoring of
performance results, monitoring expenditure, identify areas
of improvement, initiate and direct appropriate action.
Contributes to effective management control and meet
management information needs through the provision of
regular reports on area performance levels, comparison with
targets and implementation schedules.
Qualification: Qualifications required for appointment as
an Agricultural Officer and at least 2-3 years service in that
grade or equivalent and/or relevant skills and experience in
this particular field in any other organisation with meritorious
performance.
Salary: PR02 $26,063 - $34,175
For further enquiries of advertised vacancies
please contact the respective Post Processing
Managers of Ministries and Department.
However, should you require additional
information, do not hesitate to email
[email protected] or call salote Keteiwai on
331 4588 ext 238 of the Public Service Commission.
You can download GP 142 Form and the
Fiji Public Service Official Circulars
from our website: www.psc.gov.fj
CLOSING DATE: 14 days from 15th of March
2011/ the date of the Fiji Public
Service Official Circular.
March 12, 2011
www.fiji.gov.fj
FIJI FOCUS



   



   ny bUa[      

 
  
    
 
 

  
          




ky  











   
 
 
bUa[ kI kuq mihl[E{ a\tr[]Q2+I8 mihl[ idvs ky mOky pr p=6[n m\t=I komo3o voryNgy be]inmr[m[ ky s[5|


      
  
        
      

  
    
                     
                
VACANCY
!


 
  



  
 



y\ 


 
 
 









  

 




 





 


jyb 




March 12, 2011






 




 

 

'K  








 k 


 
en ibj>ns, sUv[ cyMbr aOr komys] Ev\ ro2<rI Klb aof sUv[ no5] kI sdS8[ 7I hY\|

   


 
 
    
 
  
  
 
   
  
 

     


 
  ik

   
    
      
    > 
    
     
  komo3o 


   
  

 
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, NATIONAL ARCHIVES
& LIBRARY SERVICES OF FIJI
PROJECT POSTS
ASSISTANT INFORMATION OFFICER / MEDIA MONITORING - (SS04)
[2 POSTS]
Duties of the Post
Responsible to the Information Officer (News) for the provision of daily media
monitoring reports of both local and international. Provide pro-active, wider
and sustained media coverage of the Government’s mandate and strategic
issues. Provide in conjunction with the respective ministries/departments
immediate intervention/quick responses to critical issues highlighted in the
media and other duties as outlined in the PRU Project Proposal.
Qualification
Qualifications required for appointment as Information Assistant and at least
3 years service in that grade or equivalent. Consistently good reports and
potential for advancement. Should be multi-skilled and familiar with the
use of not less than three mediums of communication, vis-à-vis press, radio,
television and electronic media.
OR
University degree or Diploma graduates and/or possess several years of
experience in the media industry. UE, FSLC with minimum 5 years journalistic
or related experience and excellence references.
Salary: SS04 - $15,689 - $20,018
For further enquiries, please contact the Director of Information on
3301 806 or email: [email protected].
CLOSING DATE: 14 days from 15th of March 2011/ the date of this publication.
15
www.fiji.gov.fj
FIJI FOCUS
      
 8[ 








    




 
 n 
  hm
   

 





5y,
gy|
   

   






   

tk 









, 






 




 




E ivkl[\g mihl[ rY\p ky sh[ry apny vIlcy8r m\y ne] g[3>I my\ p=vy9 krtI hue]|
 
y 
 
























    

ik mihl[E{ 7I e
 



 












 \ a7I
  ny






16
_ImtI if8on[ rymsI so9l vyLfy8r m\t=[l8 ky S5[e] sicv _I goivNd s[mI ko ne] g[3>I kI c[bI sO\ptI hue]|
    






 
  



 


 "




 


"



    
 

 
 





    







7I 

   





        



   

 ky
 
a 
 

 j[

  



  
  
  h  
      
      





I

March 12, 2011
www.fiji.gov.fj
FIJI FOCUS

    











  

   

4 












  a


    
2 










 ky ai6k[rI, s[Emn cyn b[ao nv[e]lyvU ky korov[is8o\ ko cyk p=d[n krty huE|
   
   










   
    

 
,
 
  
  
()
 
    8h 




   
   











    

 





 
 












 




I










March 12, 2011




 











 




 

















isf]

 



















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



  


 





 





      



 



       

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


] 5



 















 
 





 










aN ge] hY| 

 


   

 
  



I
vQ[] 
   
 ky ilE

 imlt[
  
  U


() 
  5[|"

k~iQ[ m\t=I cokyt[nI dok[n[is\g[ a[lU V8vs[8 
  ky s[zyd[ro\ sy b[ty\ krty huE| 

  


ilE 
  a[lU ky 
     
ilE   
       


  
   

    
  
 
, 
    



 

Apr-k[\dIvUk[ 2Im k[ ai6k[rI apn[ k[8] krt[ hua[|
d[ihny aor-Ek V8iKt As Blok ko idw[ty huE ijs pr dImk k[ asr hua[ hY| 








     




 







                 
 
 


 
  

 
  

   



 
  
















      





8[ pI3IbI  



hY| 


[


 

  kh[ i




 



m




    













 






        




 

y 




18
 
y\ 








 

  
 
  

 
 


  

 


 
 

    

  
  sy
  





 
 



 ik\tu



March 12, 2011
www.fiji.gov.fj
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FIJI FOCUS
The Honour System
THE Fiji Honours System was
responsible Ministers.
created in 1995 by an Act of
Parliament to provide for the
THE SECRETARIAT
(OF) for distinguished service of a
NOMINATIONS
high degree to Fiji and humanity at
The Chancellor of the Order of
large.
Fiji is seeking nominations from
establishment of Honours and
The Honours Secretariat
public and private organizations,
Awards in Fiji. It is a system
is located at Government
local communities, business
whereby the citizens of Fiji
House. Its role is to provide the
organizations and individuals
recognize outstanding contribution
administrative support necessary
to be considered for the 2011
of fellow citizens who have
for the President and the College
Honours and Awards. The
achieved excellence in serving
of Honour to carry out their
Honours System celebrates
their communities and the Nation.
responsibilities. The Secretariat
outstanding contribution by Fiji
The system also recognizes
plays an important role in
Nationals towards promoting
specific acts by individuals who
maintaining the high standards of
q The Member of the Order of
positive attitudes in our Nation and
risk their own lives in a selfless
the honours system by ensuring
Fiji (MF) for meritorious service
highlights a sense of unity in our
way in order to save or attempt to
that thorough and comprehensive
in a particular locality or field of
multicultural society.
save the life of a Fiji national.
information is available about
activity or to a particular group.
nominees and their achievements.
BRIEF HISTORY
In October 1994 the Government
approved the creation of a
Nomination Forms and Guidelines
THE HONOURS AND
AWARDS
on how to prepare your
nomination are available from
complete honours and awards
1. The Order of Fiji – Any person
the Honours Secretariat at the
system for Fiji. Subsequently
appointed to the Order of Fiji shall
following address:
the enabling Act was passed
be appointed in either division as
by Parliament and received the
follows:
The Secretary, Order of Fiji
Presidential assent on 8 March
q The Medal of the Order of
1995. The Fiji Honours system
Fiji (MOF) for service worthy of
replaced the Honours System of
particular recognition.
the Commonwealth linked to the
Office of the President
Government House
P O Box 2513
Government Buildings
United Kingdom. The President is
SUVA
the Chancellor of the Order of Fiji
and is the fount of all honours and
awards in Fiji.
THE COLLEGE OF
HONOUR
The College comprises a
Chairperson and four other
members appointed by the
q The Companion of the
Order of Fiji (CF) for eminent
handwritten submissions
achievement and merit of the
are acceptable.
highest degree for service to Fiji
2. The Awards for Civilian
and humanity at large.
Bravery – These awards are
designed to reward acts of civilian
President. The functions of the
College are basically to consider
and recommend to the President,
in most cases, risk to the life of
and contacts of four referees.
the honours Secretariat
fax on 3301645, or email
the Civilian Bravery Awards. All
[email protected].
nominations for other awards (for
NOMINATIONS CLOSE
the uniformed services and the
March 12, 2011
with the names, addresses
phone on 3314244,
College are the Order of Fiji and
the President by the appropriate
address of the nominee
can also be contacted by
The two sectors of interest to the
Public Service) are placed before
the correct name and
bravery in situations involving,
nominees.
nominations received for awards.
nominations must show
ON FRIDAY
q The Officer of the Order of Fiji
31st MARCH, 2011.
19
www.fiji.gov.fj
FIJI FOCUS
VERNACULAR
Na vakatulewa ni Bose Yaco
S
a tabaki koto era e
tolu na vakatulewa
ni Bose Yaco ena
imatai ni siga ni
vula oqo.
SA vakadonuya na Bose
Yaco me sa vakarautaka
na Fiji Island Revenue and
Customs Authority (FIRCA)
na kena mai vakayacori e
Viti na bose vakayabaki
ni Pacific Islands Tax
Administrators Association
(PITAA).
Yaco ne veivakadonui
oqo ni oti nona vakatura
na vakasama oqo na iliuliu
ni Matanitu o Voreqe
Bainimarama. A tauyavu
ena 2004 na PITAA mera
dau veisolivakasama ka
cakacaka vata kina na vei
tabana ni ivakacavacava ena
Pasifika.
E na gauna oqo e 15
tiko na lewe ni isoqosoqo
oka kina na Cook Islands,
Federated State of
Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru,
Niue, Papua New Guinea,
Palau, Marshall Islands,
Western Samoa, Solomon
Islands, Tokelau, Vanuatu
kei na noda vanua.
Na imatai ni bose ni
PITAA a vakayacori e
Suva ena 2004 ka yavutaki
na yaca ni Tabana ni
iVakacavacava kei na
Kasitaba me lutu laivi na
yaca na Islands me sa Fiji
Revenue and Customs
Authority (FRCA).
Kaya na Prime Minister
ni veisau oqo sa na salavata
kei na kena sa kilai tiko o
Viti me Republic of Fiji.
Na matabose ni Bose Yaco ena vale ni bose ena nona valenivolavola na iliuliu ni matanitu.
talega ga kina na veika me
vakaliuca. Kaya na Prime
Minister ni 2011 ena solia
vei FIRCA e dua na gauna
vinaka ni veiwasei.
Na isau ni kena mai
qaravi na bose ena wasei mai
na ivotavota vakailavo ni
FIRCA ena yabaki oqo.
SA vakadonuya na Bose
Yaco me veisau vakalailai
Kidavaki na itabagone ni ra tale bula mai ki Viti
E RATOU sa kidavaki lesu
oqo na sala keimami
mai ena noda vanua na
vulica kina na ivakarau ni
11 na itabagone ni Viti e
veivosaki kei ira na duidui
ratou a matataki keda yani
matatamata,” a kaya o
ena Waqa ni Tabagone ni
Sinavi.
Vuravura ka vakarautaka na
E dua tale na itabagone
matanitu levu o Javani.
ni Bua a soko talega
A vakayacori e dua na
ena waqa oqo o Alisi
somi ti ka ratou vulagi kina
Rabukawaqa e kaya ni
na noda itabagone ena vale
gauna vinaka duadua vua
ni volavola ni Tabacakacaka
na gauna era dau veiwasei
ni itabagone e Suva.
kina vakaitabagone ni
A tauca na vosa ni
veivanua e vuravura.
veikidavaki
ena
vuku
“Na
italanoa
era
ni
Matanitu
kei
na
talanoataka baleta nodra
Tabacakacaka ni itabagone
bula e dolava noda rai, ka
o Elesi Ketedromo ena
vakavuna meda vakabauti
vukana talega na Minister
keda ni rawa ni levu tale na
ni iTabagone kei na marama
ka eda rawata ena gauna ni
Director.
noda bula vakaitabagone
“E na vuku ni noda
ka sega ni vakaiyalayala,
Matanitu au sa tucake
vakabibi na ka eda rawa ni
e matamuni ni kua meu
qarava ena noda bula kei
kidavaki kemuni ena vuku
na ka eda rawa ni cakava
ni nomuni sa matataki Viti
kina noda matanitu,” a
vakavinaka sara,” a kaya o
kaya Rabukawaqa.
Elesi.
E kaya o Fenton
“Me vaka ni da sa
Lutunatabua
ni
sa
voleka ni vakacavara yani
vuabale na nodratou
oqo na yabaki ni iTabagone
vakavinavinaka levu ki
ni vuravura ena ika 12 ni
vei Javani ena ilakolako
Okosita 2011, au nuitaka ni
oqo ka sa dodonu meratou
keimami na rawa ni ciqomi O Fenton Lutunatabua (imawi), George Nacewa kei Alisi Rabukawaqa erato matataki Viti ena na vakadewataka tiko yani
kemuni ena nomuni itutu Waqa ni Tabagone ni Vuravura (Ship of the World Youth).
vakalevu ena veigauna ni
O Jone Sinavi edua na cauravou dolava talega noda rai.
vaka itabagone, ka meda
soqo lelevu me vaka na
“Au vulica e levu na ulutaga vinaka Adi Senitoa na veika vinaka eratou
cakacaka vata ena veivakabauti kei yabaki 25 ni Tailevu e kaya ni sa levu
Veitalanoa kei na veidinadinati,” a sara na ka e vulica rawa ena nona soko sara, e dua na kena ivakaraitaki oya sa laki vulica mai ena soko ni waqa ni
voli ena veimatanitu e vuravura ka na ‘Cultural Communication Styles’ itabagone ki vuravura.
kaya o Elesi.
Uqeti na itaukei ena tei vanila
SA vakauqeti keda na itaukei e dua na
turaga ni Amerika ka sa lewenivanua
voli e Viti me da tea vakalevu na
vanila.
O Ronald Gatty e dua talega na
dauteitei ka kaya ni vanila ena rawa
ni walia na noda leqa ni rawarawa na
kena qaravi me vaka ni dua tei ga vaka
dua.
O Gatty e tu na nona loga ni vanila
levu mai Navua ka dau vakauta ki
vavalagi na vanila vaka kina na ramu
ka waki mai na vanila.
A vakamacala tiko o Mr Ronald
20
Gatty vei ira na dauteitei era tiko rawa
ena soqo ni vakaraitakiivoli ni Baqe ni
Veivakatorocaketaki ni noda vanua se
Fiji Development Bank (FDB).
“E na walia nomuni leqa na
itaukei ni rawarawa na kena qaravi,”
a kaya o Gatty.
“Oya baleta ni dau ga vakadua
qai mai mamada wale tu na kena
tamusuki.
“Qai kuria ni rawa ni na tamusuki
tiko me rauta e dua taucoko na itaba
tamata.
“E sega ni da bunotaka baleta ni
rawarawa tu ga na kena tei kei na kena
qaravi, ia, me tei toka ena buca vinaka
se ‘gentle slope’,” a kaya o Mr Gatty.
Kuria o koya ni vanila me kua
ni tei ena vanua suasua ka me dau
vakamautaki ena gauna e rurugu kina
siga ena mataka lailai ena maliwa ni
ono ki na walu na kaloko ena mataka
lailai.
“E dau se ga vakadua ena dua na
yabaki na vanilla ena maliwa ni vula
o Seviteba kei na Tiseba,” a kaya o
koya.
Vakasalataka o oya me teivaki ga
na vanila ena loma ni bai ni dua ga na
ikava na eka ka na rawa ni tei kina e
200 na itei ni vanilla.
O Gatty e voli vanilla talega mai
vei ira na dau teitei ka volia tiko
na vanilla ena $60 dua na karamu
(grams).
Kaya o koya ni rawa ni sega ni
dodou mera vakararavi vakatabaki
dua ga na itaukei ki na dua bulu na
ivoli me vaka na dalo se tavioka ni
rawa ni tei na vanilla me veivuke ni
rawarawa ka tei ga vakadua qai mai
sau vinaka yani.
SA vakadonuya na Bose
Yaco me sa veisautaki eso
na iyaloyalo era tabaki tu
ena ilavo ni Viti oya me sa
vakaisosomitaki na kena
iyaloyalo o Ranadi Ilisapeci
na ikarua mai Peritania
kei na so na kau kei na
manumanu matalia e Viti.
Sa na vakayagataki e
dua na koini me $2 ka me
sosomitaka na noti. Sa na
sosomitaka na yaloyalo ni
ranadi edua na tanoa me
vaka e dau tu eliu ena dua
na sede.
Sa na veisau talega na
roka ni $5 damudamu me sa
roka drokadroka.
Sa na vakayagataki
na noti vou ena gauna esa
vakasukai lesu kece yani
kina na noti makawa.
E namaki mena tekivu
vakayagataki na noti vou
oqo kei na sede vou ena vula
o June ni yabaki 2012.
Vukei
e tolu
na koro
ena wai
E rauta ni 800 na
na lewenivanua mai
Namakala, Waiqanake kei
Nabaka era sa na vukei mai
na Matanitu me baleta na
kena vakadodoki yani na
medra wai ena imatai ni
gauna.
Rawa na veivuke oqo
ena veitokoni ni Minisitiri
ni Veivakatorocaketaki
Vakayasana.
Sa oti oqo e 10 vakacaca
na yabaki na kena sega tu
ni yacovi ira yani na wai ni
gunu.
E rauta ni $45,000 na
isau ni tara ni medra taqe
ni wai ni gunu simede ka
rawa ni tawa kina e 25,000
na lita na wai.
E tara toka na taqe
oqo ena koro o Namakala
ka kena inaki me qaravi
talega kina o Nabaka kei
Waiqanake.
Vakaraitaka nona
vakavinavinaka ki na
Matanitu o Lovoti Bilivalu
yabaki 51.
“Au sa matua mai oqo,
o iratou noqu qase kei
iratou na tubuqu e sega ni
ra bau yacovi ira mada ena
dua na gauna na wai, sa
qai yacovi au oqo , au sa
vakavinavinaka vakalevu ki
na Matanitu oqo,” a kaya o
Bilivalu.
Kaya o Bilivalu ni ra
dau vakayagataka tu e liu
na wai ni uca e veisiga.
Sa veivuke talega
na Matanitu ena ta ni
gaunisala ki na veitikotiko
mai kea ka kena isau e
$60,000.
March 12, 2011
www.fiji.gov.fj
FIJI FOCUS
Yaga na
teitei
mai
Muani
NA koro ko Muani e tiko
ena tikina ko Ravitaki mai
Kadavu ka rauta nira lewe
100 vakacaca na lewe ni
koro, dina ga ni lewe vuqa
vei ira era sa mai tiko ena
veivanua ni cakacaka.
Dau nodra isakisaki tu ga
na vale ni lotu levu duadua
ena yanuyanu o Kadavu era
tara koto ena loma ni koro o
Muani.
Era tara na lewe ni koro
ka vakayagataki ga kina na
kau mai na nodra dui tiki ni
qele, kei nai lavo ni yaqona
era dau rawata mai ena nodra
cakacaka vakaukauwa.
Ko Kadavu e dau kilai
ena levu ni yaqona edau
rawati mai kina kei ira na
kena dauteitei era vakararavi
vakatabakidua ga kina
yaqona mei vurevure ni lavo
tudei vei ira.
Nai lavo dau rawati mai
era sa vakau tiko kina na
gone ki koronivuli, tara na
vei vale eso, voli eso na waqa
ka tosoi tikoga na bula ena
veisiga.
Ko Jesoni Rauca
yabaki 55 edua na lewe ni
koro e Muani ka sa vulica
ni bula e baleta na noda
vakavinakataka na noda
veigauna ca.
E cakacaka tu mada e
Suva ena 27 na yabaki sa oti
ka vakila ni vaka e sega ni
taucoko tiko na nona bula
vaka cakacaka ka vakavuna
na nona mai tekivu vou tale
ena cakacaka ni vakayagataki
qele e na koro.
“Au biuta na noqu
cakacaka ka gole mai kina
yanuyanu me mai tauyavu
tale na bula, e mai tarai au
sara vakalevu niu kila ni oqo
na vanua e dodonu ga meu
tiko kina,” dredre ko Jesoni.
Ko Jesoni e se sega
ni se bau rai lesu tale ka
vakadeitaka ni sa kena
gauna oqo vei ira na lewe
ni koro e Muani mera
vakatoroicaketaka na nodra
bula ka vakaraitaka edua
nai lakolako vou vei ira nai
tabagone me ra muria.
Sa mai veivuke sara
ko Jesoni kei ira na so
tale na qase ena koro
ena kena tauyavutaki
edua nai soqosoqo ni
veivakatorocaketaki me raica
vakararaba na veika e gadrevi
mera vakatoroicaketaki e na
koro.
“Keimami vakadeitaka
ni gaunisala duadua ga ni
neimami toso sai koya me
keimami tekivutaka edua na
bisinisi ni rawai lavo ia ka
keimami vakavinavinakataka
kina na veivuke ni Minisitiri
ni Teitei, Qoliqoli kei na
Veikau,” vakamacalataka ko
Jesoni.
“Keimami laki sikovi ira
sara ena nodra vale, i kina
koro, keimami vakadeitaka
me keimami sa tekivu susu
bulumakau ia ena gauna oqo
esa tiko rawa vei keimami e
13 na bulumakau tamatama,”
e kaya ena mata dredredre ko
Jesoni.
Oira na lewe ni koro era
sa cakacaka vata tiko mai kei
nai vakailesilesi ni Tabana
ni Manumanu e na yanuyanu
ka sa vulica oti talega nai
walewale eso e vinakati ena
nodra qaravi vakavinaka na
bulumakau ena loma ni bai.
“Keimami marautaka
ni keimami vukei mai na
Tabana ni Teitei ena kena
soli vei keimami e va na
bulumakau na mataqali na
Limousine kei na vitu na
bulumakau na Hereford
me keimami tekivu kina ka
sa qai neinami tavi ga me
keimami sauma na neimami
wasewase ni lavo e $3,000,”
dredre ko Jesoni.
“E dua nai vurevure ni
ENA kena sa qai dola e Bua na
veiqaravi ni Tabana ni Veilakoyaki
e Vanua Mamaca se Land Transport
Authority (LTA) sa na vakabula
ilavo sara vei ira na itaukei ni lori
kei na motoka mai na yasana o Bua.
Oya baleta ni ra dau lako sara
tiko ki Labasa ena veigauna sa oti
ena vuku ni kena sotavi na nodra
gagadre. Sa mai vakavatukana na
dola ni veiqaravi ni LTA mai Bua
ni oti na nona a vesiko yani ki Bua
na Prime Minister ena yabaki sa
oti ka ra vakaraitaka kina vua na
lewenivanua.
A laki dolava ena vula oqo na
valenivolavola vou ni LTA mai na
itikotiko ni Matanitu mai Nabouwalu
na minisita ni Veilakoyaki o Kanala
Timoci Natuva.
“Oqo sara ga na ivakarau ni
Matanitu e veiliutaki tiko kina o
Bainimarama, e rogoca na nomuni
leqa ka raica e dua na kena iwali,” a
March 12, 2011
O Jesoni Rauca on sigani yaqona tiko oqori mai Muani e na tikina o Ravitaki mai Kadavu.
bisinisi vinaka ia keimami
marautaka vakalevu na
veivuke e solia vei keimami
na Matanitu.”
Vakaraitaka ko Jesoni ni
tei yaqona vei ira esa toso
tikoga ka ra sa vakasalataki
talega mera raica me teivaki
tale eso na kakana matua
totolo me vukea na bula
vakailavo ni vuvale.
“Keimami sa donuya
e levu na vuli dau mai
vakayacori ena neimami
koro ia ko ira na neimami
qase era dau vakaukauwataki
ira nai tabagone mera
cakacaka vakaukauwa mera
rawata na tatamusuki e
levu mai na nodrai teitei,”
vakamacalataka ko Jesoni.
E kaya talega ko Jesoni
ni dau marautaka vakalevu
na nodra veitokoni na lewe
ni koro e ra tiko ena noda
vei taoni kei na vanua ni
cakacaka eso.
“Oqo na neimami
koro, e levu vei keimami
a sucu ka susugi ga yani
eke ni bera ni ra tosoya
yani na nodra vuli kei na
cakacaka. Ena veigauna era
dau lako mai ena sereki se
soqo vakavanua, era dau
vakananumi mera lesu ki na
qele ena gauna sa oti kina
na cakacaka kei na vuli,”
vakamacalataka ko Jesoni.
“Keimami
vakacaucautaka vakalevu
na vakanananu ni Matanitu
ena kena vakaduri edua na
porokaramu baleti ira na
tiko ena taudaku ni taoni kei
ira ena noda veiyanuyanu
lalai me rawa ni tosoya
cake ka vakavinakataka nai
vakatagedegede ni nodra
bula,” vakamacalataka ko
Jesoni.
“E sa tiko rawa vei
keimami e vuqa nai vurevure
ia ka sega ga ni keimami
taura vakabibi, okoya oya
na vuna keitou gadreva na
cakacaka vata vakavoleka
kei ira nai vakailesilesi ni
matanitu eke.”
Vakabauta nai Liuliu ni
Tabana ni Teitei e Kadavu ko
Epeli Dugucagi ni sa tiko na
kila kei na kaukauwa vei ira
na lewe ni koro ena cakacaka
ni veivakatorocaketaki.
“Na koro ko Muani
esa toso tiko enai
vakatagedegede ni
veivakatorocaketaki ka
keitou sa nanamaki me
keitou sikovi ira me vaka
nira dau gadreva vakalevu
mera rogoi vakasala ka sa
kilai tale tikoga na duidui ni
veivakatorocaketaki eso esa
vakayacori tiko ena koro.
“Ena bula ni susu
bulumakau, era sa veisautaka
na nodra rai na vei koro
voleka eso ena veika e rawa
ni rawati kina ia sa dua na
ka na tubu ni gagadre ena
yanuyanu me baleta na susu
bulumakau.”
Tomana ko Dugucagi ni
koro ko Muani esa teivaka
talega na kakana draudrau me
kakana ni veisiga.
“Oqo edua na toso ni
sasaga vinaka e na koro ena
nodra rawata me tomana
tiko na kena vakarautaki
na kakana bulabula vei
ira na nodra dui vuvale
ka rawa talega me ra na
vakalevutaka na nodrai teitei
baleti ira na otela volekati
ira ena veiyabaki sa tu mai
ki liu,” vakamacalataka ko
Dugucagi.
Na koro ko Muani e
gadreva me tomana talega na
kena vakavinakataki na veika
bula wavolivoliti ira me rawa
nira wasea talega na kena
vinaka ko ira nai tabagone
muri mai me vaka saraga
na nodra sa vakila tiko ena
gauna oqo.
“Keimami sa vakarautaka
na kava ni benu wavokita na
loma ni koro ka ra sa kila nai
tabagone nai balebale ni kena
gadrevi na tiko savasava,”
kaya ko Jesoni.
Tomana ko Jesoni ka
kaya ni ko ira talega nai
Dola na LTA mai Bua
kaya o Natuva.
“Sa inaki ni veiqaravi ni Matanitu
oqo me tarai kemuni na tu vakayawa
ka lailai na veivakatorocaketaki e
yacovi kemuni mai na veimatanitu
sa oti, edai oni sa vakaliuci sara ga,”
a kuria o Natuva.
Kaya o Natuva na kena kau yani
ki na taudaku ni koro lelevu na
veiqaravi ni Matanitu e tautauvata
sara ga kei na ka sa cakava tiko na
Tabacakacaka ni Bula.
“Sa cakava talega oqori na
Tabacakacaka ni Veilakoyaki e
Vanua Mamaca,” kaya Natuva.
“Sa oti na gole vakayawa ki
Labasa ena vuku ni veiqaravi ni
LTA, au kila ni dau taura beka e
6 na na auwa ka so e dau sauma e
O ira na ivakalesilesi ni LTA e Nabouwalu.
vakailesilesi ni tabana ni
qoliqoli era sa vakatavuvuli
oti vei ira ena gaunisala
me maroroi kina na nodrai
qoliqoli me rawa ni ra
marautaka tikoga na kena
vakayagataki na sasalu
bulabula mai waitui ena loma
ni tini tale na yabaki mai oqo.
“Keimami sa cakacaka
vata tiko kei ira na veitabana
ni matanitu e Vunisea baleta
keimami kila ni veicakacaka
kecega e qaravi ena qele
ena tarai ira yani na volekati
keimami na kena revurevu.”
“Keimami sega ni
vinakata me na yaco baleta
ni qele kei nai qoliqoli e
vurevure ni neimami kakana
ena veisiga, okoya keimami
sa tovolea ena neimami
kaukauwa taucoko me
maroroi ka vakayagataki
vakavinaka na veika era
tu wavolivoliti keimami
ka kakua ni vakasausataka
na nodra bula,” tomana ko
Jesoni.
Na koro ko Muani e se tu
tale e levu na nodrai tuvatuva
me baleta na nodra veisiga
ni mataka, me vaka era dau
kaya, na veivakatorocaketaki
e lako mai me vaka na nona
taubale na gone lailai
“Okoya oya na vuna
keimami dau cavui kalawa
kina vakamalua.”
$100 me soko yani kina ki Labasa,”
kaya o koya.
Kaya na Minisita ni Veilakoyaki
ni vakamuria na Duru Naba Va ni
Charter oya ena kena vinakati me
vakavinakataki ne veiqaravi ni
veitabana vakamatanitu.
“Na vua ni veivakatorocaketaki
oqo ena laki vakilai ena tubu ni
bula vakailavo e Bua,” a kaya na
minisita. Kaya na iliuliu levu ni
LTA o Naisa Tuinaceva ni sa na
qaravi ga e Bua na rejisitataki ni
motoka, na caka ni laiseni ni draiva,
kei na veiqaravi tale eso.
Na isevu ni lewenivanua
me qaravi mai Nabouwalu o
Alifereti Tuinamata ena nona laki
vakavoutaka nona laiseni.
“Sa dua na gauna balavu
neimami vinakata tu me toso mai
kena veiqaravi oqo, sa na qai oti na
saumi vodovodo vaka rua ki Labasa
ka lesu tale mai.
21
www.fiji.gov.fj
FIJI FOCUS
Dikevi na
veisau ni
draki mai
Yasawa
NI dau cavuti na Yatu
Yasawa, na imatai ga ni
ka eda vakasamataka oya
na veiynauyanu totoka ni
saravanua vakauasivi na kena
veinuku vulavula.
Ia, e sega ni galala na
Yatu Yasawa mai na leqa ni
veiveisau ni draki ka sa vakila
tiko noda vuravura ni kua.
Na veiveisau ni draki
oqo e oka kina na na tubu
ni katakata ena siga kei na
bogi kei na kena toro cake na
iyalayala ni waitui ena vanua
mamaca.
Na tubu ni katakata ena
noda vuravura e vu mai na
levu ni kasi gaga era ceburaka
tiko ki macawa na veivale ni
buli yaya ena noda vuravura.
Na levu ni katakata oqori
esa laki vakawaicalataka na
ulunivanua waicevata ena
muana icake kei na muana ira
ni noda vuravura (North and
South poles).
E kainaki na kena waicala
mai oqo na waicevata esa laki
vakavuna na kena laki luvuci
na veiyanuyanu lalai ena
Pasifika.
E sega ni galala mai kina
o Viti ni sa tekivu me sisi mai
na nuku kei na qele ena noda
veibaravi.
Sa mani nanuma kina na
Tabacakacaka ni veikabula e
Wavoliti keda se Department
of Environment me qarava
mada na vakadidike kei
na tauri itukutuku mai na
Yatu Yasawa me baleta na
veiveisau ni draki kei na kena
revurevu.
Sa mani digitaki e
dua na timi kara lewena
na ivakailesilesi mai na
veitabacakacaka ni matanitu
kei na isoqosoqo ena taudaku
ni Matanitu oqo me vaka na
Tabana ni Vakadidike ena
Univesiti ni Ceva, na World
Wildlife Fund (WWF) South
Pacific, Kabani ni Wai e Viti,
Tabana ni Vatu Talei kei na
iYau Bula, ivukevuke ni Roko
ni Yasana o Ba, ivakailesilesi
mai na vale ni volavola ni
Talai ena Yasayasa vaka ra kei
na ivakailesilesi mai Tabana
ni Tukutuku ni Matanitu.
Kaya
o
Senivasa
Waqairamasi
mai
Tabacakacaka ni Veikabula e
Wavoliti keda ni sema tiko na
vakadidike kei na sasaga levu
ni Matabose kei Vuravura
ka kilai me Millenium
Development Goals ena
kena sagai me qaravi na
veivakatorocaketaki e navuci
vakavinaka ka kauwaitaki na
veiveisau ni draki se climate
change.
A sikovi kina e 16 na koro
E kilai na veiyanuyanu mai Yasawa ni nodra i gagade na dau saravanua, ia, e sega ni vakuawai mai na revurevu ni
veiveisau ni draki sa tara tiko na noda vuravura.
me vakataki Nacula, Yaqeta,
Nabukeru, Dalomo, Bukama,
Teci, Kese, Malevu, Marou,
Gunu, Nasoqo, Somosomo,
Nalauwaki, Natawa, Viwa kei
Wayalevu.
Era a laki vakatarogi na
lewenivanua me baleta na
veika era vakila ni sa veisau
tiko mai e vanua kei na nodra
iqoliqoli ka okati me ravuravu
ni veisau ni draki.
E ratou laki sikova
vakadikeva
talega
na
vakacaca e kauta mai na tubu
ni wasawasa kei na sisi ni qele
kei na nuku e baravi.
Dikevi talega na ivuervure
ni kakana kei na wai ena
veikoro oqo kei na mataqali
ika era sa yali tiko mai ena
nodra iqoliqoli vaka kina
mataqali kau vou sa kune tiko
e vanua ena gauna ni kua.
A tarogi talega vei ira na
lewenivanua na veika era kila
era dau qarava na nodra qase
me maroroi tu kina na kakana
ena gauna ni leqa tubu koso.
Vakaraitaka edua na kena
dau ni vakadidike mai na
Univesiti ni Ceva o Dr Jacot
Des Combes ni iwali ni leqa
ena soli kina koro yadua ena
tiko na kena duidui.
“Baleta ni ra duidui na
veikoro e Yasawa ka so na
koro e tiko na kena cakau ka so
esega, eso era nuku vulavula
vinaka ka so e sega, eso era
tadravi cagi ka so e sega, ka
na duidui vakakina na veiwali
ni leqa ena veikoro,” a kaya o
Dr Combes.
“Me vaka ni toso tiko na
veiyabaki ka na qarai talega
vaka kina na ituvatuva me
sotavi kina na veiveisau ni
draki.”
E ratou kunea rawa na
ilawalawa dau ni vakadidike
oqo ni sa levu sara na sisi ni
qele kei na nuku e kune tiko
ena baravi kei Yasawa.
Na duidui e kune ena
veiyanuyanu e rawa ni kune
ena tolu na vanua o Naviti,
Yaqeta kei Najia e Waya.
O iratou na tolu na koro
oqori e duidui sara tu ga na
nodratou baravi. O Yaqeta
e nuku vulavula matailalai
balavu.
O Waya Levu e levu na
kena vatu lalai ena so na kena
baravi, ia o Viwa e baravi
laselase ka ra kaya na dau
vakadidike ni yanuyanu o
Viwa e dabe toka ena dela ni
dua na cakau ceburaki.
Kaya kina o Dr Combes
ni kevaka ena qarai na iwali ni
leqa e kauta mai na veiveisau
ni draki, ia, ena dikevi sara
vakavinaka ka na taura e vica
na yabaki.
Kauwai talega na mata
timi oqo ena kena sa vaka
me seavu yani vakamalua na
nodra kila na iwalewale ni
mamaroi kakana mai na Yatu
Yasawa. Oqo na mataqali
mamaroi era se dau cakava na
tukadra ka sa yali na kila oqo
vei ira na itabagone ni kua.
“E levu era sa cakacaka
ena otela ka sa voli ga mai
na sitoa na kakana, ia, de na
vinaka mera raica tale mada
mai na Yatu Yasawa na kena
vakabulabulataki tale na
mamaroi vaka oqo,” a kaya
o Leone Limalevu mai na
Univesiti ni Ceva.
O Leone Limalevu e
dau ni vakadidike ni veika
bula e wasawasa, e kaya
ni sa dua na cavuikalawa
vinaka esa vakaitavi kina na
Matanitu edaidai ena kena
caka na vakadidike me baleta
veiveisau ni draki ena Yatu
Yasawa.
“Au sa vakavinavainaka
vakalevu ki na Matanitu
ena nona taura vakabibi na
leqa e rawa ni kauta mai
na veiveisau ni draki, sa
ivakaraitaki sara ga ni noda
vakamuria tiko na sasaga ni
Matabose kei Vuravura se
na Millenium Development
Goals (MDGs),” a kaya o
Limalevu.
“Au
vakavinavinaka
talega ki vua na Talai Veivuke
ena Yasayasa vaka-Ra ena
nona veitokoni vata kei na
Tabacakacaka ni Veika bula e
Wavoliti keda.”
MAWI kei MATAU: O ira na mata timi ni vakadidike mai na veikoro ena yatu Yasawa ena nodra ena nodra cakacaka kei ira na lewenivanua mai kea. TABA E CAKE: Sa laurai
votu eke na kena sa toso totolo na iyalayala ni waitui ki vanua mamaca ka sa vakacacana ne veika bula eso.
Marautaki na vakadidike mai Yasawa
E vakavinavinakataka na Talai
Veivuke ena Ra kei Viti o Komada
Joeli Cawaki (taba ena imatau)
na mata timi ni vakadidike
ni veiveisau ni draki ka ratou
vakasokomuni tukutuku voli ena
Yatu Yasawa ena macawa sa oti.
A tavaki iratou na mata timi oqo
o Cawaki ena wavu mai Lautoka ka
vakavinavainakataka na nodratou
vosota na dredre ena vakadidike
ena yatu yasawa ena kena sagai me
22
kilai na revureu ni veisau
ni draki mai kea.
“Oqo na imatai ni
vakadidike ni veisau ni
draki me vakayacori ena
mua ira kei Viti,” a kaya
o Cawaki.
Kaya o Cawaki ni rui
bibi meda kila na veika
era sotava tiko na lewe ni
vanua eda veiqaravi kina.
“Na vakadidike oqo ena sega ni
yaco walega eke.
“Keitou na kauta cake
kina vale ni volavola
ni Senior Economic
Planning Office me ratou
na solia kina nodratou
veitokoni,” a kaya o
Cawaki.
“Na mataqali
vakadidike vakaoqo ena
vukea na nodra rawa ni
raica na lewenivanua na sala eso e
rawa ni ra sotava se tataqomaki mai
na revurevu ni veisau ni draki,” e
kaya o Cawaki.
Tukuna o Komada Cawaki
ni sa namaka tiko me na ciqoma
na nodratou ripote na timi ni
vakadidike oqo kei na veika eratou
vakatura me caka, me rawa ni
dusimaki kina vakadodonu na sala
mera muria na lewenivanua.
“Vinaka vakalevu na nomuni
vosota na ilakolako ki Yasawa
kei na nomuni cau ena vakadidike
oqo,” a kaya o Commander
Cawaki.
Na mata vakadidike eratou
lesu mai oqo ena Yatu Yasawa
eratou laki sikova e 16 na koro mai
na 27 na koro ena Yatu Yasawa
balabalavu.
Era veitokoni ena ilakolako oqo
na veitabana vakamatanitu kei ira
talega na veisoqosoqo ena taudaku
ni matanitu.
March 12, 2011
www.fiji.gov.fj
March 12, 2011
FIJI FOCUS
23
www.fiji.gov.fj
FIJI FOCUS
Vol. 2
A
No. 05
BE TTE R
F I J I ,
F O R
YO U
A ND
F O R
ME
12th March 2011
$286,000
mai na
dalo ena
veiyabaki
E DUA na ivosavosa e dau tukuni
vakaoqo ni ‘lavo e tu ga ena qele’
sa solia vei keda na Kalou bula.
Io, sa vakadinadinataki
na vosa oqori ena nodra sa na
rawa ni veisaumitaka e dua na
isoqosoqo ni dau tei dalo mai
Bua e $286,000 ena veiyabaki
mai na volitaki ni nodra dalo.
Oqo o ira na dau teitei Nasolo
e Bua, era cicivaka tiko edua na
isoqosoqo ni teitei ena gaunisala
na Tui Navitilevu e Nasolo ka
ra kalougata ni laki sikovi ira
yani na iluliu ni Matanitu o
Commodore Bainimarama ena
macawa sa oti.
Sa vakaraitaki talega vei
Bainimarama ni sa rawa ni ra
vakacakacakataki ena isoqosoqo
ni tei dalo oqo na itabagone ena
koro o Nasolo.
Kaya na Talai Veivuke mai
na Vualiku ni dina ga ni sa levu
na ivurevure ni ilavo me vaka na
vatu talei na bauxite, ia, na ivoli
lalai tale eso me vaka na dalo e
rawa ni rawa ilavo talega mai
kina o ira na itabagone e Nasolo.
Na gaunisala ni teitei na Tui
Navitilevu evakailavotaki mai na
isau ni dalo era dau rawata tiko
na cauravou.
Era sa kerekere talega na
isoqosoqo ni dauteitei oqo
ke rawa ni veivuke na iliuliu
ni matatanitu o Komadoa
Voreqe
Bainimarama
kei
na nona valenivolavola ena
tara ni nodra ikawakawa me
vakarawarawataka na kena kau
kina makete na nodra ivoli.
E rau veidredrevaki toka oqo na turaga iliuliu ni matanitu o Komadoa Voreqe Bainimarama (na imawi) kei na turaga Tui Cakau o
Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu mai Somosomo, Taveuni ena veisioko ki kea na iliuliu ni matanitu ena siga Vukelulu sa oti.
Rawa ena 24 na nawa
Vakaraitaki ni rawa ni vakayacori ena dua na siga na veidigidigi e Viti
VAKARAITAKA na iliuliu
ni veidigidigi mai Indonesia
o Dr Aziz Ahmad ni rawa ni
siga dua walega na caka ni
veidigidigi e Viti.
Kaya o Ahmad ni
sa vakadinadinataki oqo
mai Indonesia ka rawa ni
vakayagataki talega e Viti.
“Rawa ni siga dua ga
na veidigidigi e Viti baleta
ni sega ni lewe levu sara na
iwiliwili ni lewenivanua eke,”
a kaya o Dr Ahmed ena nona
Era yaco
bula mai
na noda
itabagone
TABANA E 20
24
vosa tiko ena Univesiti ni
Ceva ni Pasifika.
“Se bera mada ga ni
yacova na dua na milioni na
iwiliwili ni lewenivanua e
Viti ka sega talega ni levu na
yanuyanu me vakatauvatani
kei Indonesia.
“Au vakabauta ni rawa
ni siga dua ga na veidigidigi
eke,” a kaya o Dr Ahmed.
E 171 na milioni na
iwiliwili ni lewenivanua mai
Indonesia, ka rauta ni 900,000
ga e Viti.
“Ia, me vaka ni se vou tiko
veikemuni eke, ena vinaka me
dua taucoko na siga baleta
mai Indonesia e tekivu ga mai
na 7am ki na 1pm,” a kaya o
koya.
“Sa
dodonu
me
vakalevutaki
nodra
vuli
na lewenivanua baleta na
iwalewale vou oqo ni bera
tiko na veidigidigi,” a kaya o
koya.
A yavutaka nona isau ni
taro o Dr Ahmed mai na dua
na vakadidike ni Matabose
kei Vuravura, kei na veika e
tukuna na iliuliu vakatawa
ni Veidigidigi e Viti o Soro
Toutou ni sa rui levu na
digidigi e sega ni dau vakabau.
Ka levu talega na
lewenivanua era sega tu ni
kila na ibalebale ni digidigi
ni lewenivanua se democracy
se na inaki ni isoqosoqo
vakapolitiki.
“Oqo
e
rawa
ni
Tarai
Yasawa
na veisau
ni draki
TABANA E 22
veivakacalai, ia, na levu ga ni
kena kacivakai ka vakavulici
kina na lewenivanua na kena
vinaka,” a kaya o Dr Ahmed.
“Raica
mada
na
veisivi levu ni iwiliwili
ni lewenivanua e Viti kei
Indoneasia, e rawa ni siga dua
ga,” a kaya o Dr Ahmed.
“Sa tukuni talega ni
dodonu me rejisitataki kece
na lewenivanua ka na sega
ni vakasaurarataki na nomu
veidigidigi me vaka mai na
veivanua tani,” a kaya o koya.
Kaya o Soro Toutou ni na
cakacaka vata tiko kei Viti o
Indonesia ena veigauna sa tu
e liu.
“Sa na gadrevi talega
vakalevu na nodra vakavulici
na lewenivanua ena iwalewale
vou ni veidigidigi oqo,” a
kaya o Toutou.
“Sa bibi na tikina oqo
ni keitou vinakata me
vakalailaitaki na digidii e sega
ni vakabau,” a kaya o Toutou.
Bolei na
marama
ena toso
ki liu
TABANA E 23
March 12, 2011