Business
Conducting, reporting workplace investigations
TOO often, people end up in courts and tribunals because they haven’t been able to work their way through workplace issues, says a resident magistrate. Suva-based resident magistrate Andrew See shared this at a two-day...
$100m power plant runs out of fuel
WHEN the $100 million Nabou Green Energy Ltd power plant was opened in July 2017 it was touted as a momentous occasion for Fiji. As the country’s first independent power producer, NGEL would process plant material and produce electricity which would be sold to Energy Fiji Limited. However, indications about the problems it was having...
22nd April
Living off the sea
THE women of Kioa are venturing into fishing as a source of income, sailing out to sea even at night when many would prefer the comforts of their home, only to make a living for their families. One of these women on the island is 60-year-old Kuinita Lisati who is member of a fisherwomen’s group...
21st April
Navua man’s role in Game of Thrones
GROWING up in rural Navua, Sireli Mcgoon did not enjoy the same comforts as other children. His home had no power and water, he walked and swam his way to school every day, and his family relied on fishing to make ends meet. These struggles are a far cry from the sets of the world’s...
Fiji imports $21.4m of fresh fruits annually
FIJI annually imports $21.4million worth of fresh fruits and $0.33million of processed fruits, the Agriculture Statistics 2018 Trade Data reveals. However, Ministry of Agriculture deputy secretary for agriculture development Jone Sovalawa during the launching of the Establishment of Fruit Tree Orchards initiative Volivoli Village in Sigatoka this week said reducing the trade deficit caused by the importation...
Non-agricultural sector continues to grow in Fiji
THE non-sugar agricultural sector in Fiji continues to grow over the years and with it comes demands to further develop the sector, says Ministry of Agriculture deputy secretary for agriculture development Jone Sovalawa. He said the program was one of the five new initiatives the ministry would undertake to further enhance the development of the...
20th April
Fiji bus operators propose interim fare structure
AN interim measure of increasing fares for the first four stages around the country has been proposed by the Fiji Bus Operators Association. At least, the association says this is where a majority of bus companies incur operational costs. FBOA general secretary Rohit Latchan said at present, passengers were only paying $0.68 for the first...
Airbus sells longer-range A321s, sees quick end to Boeing crisis
TOULOUSE, France (Reuters) – The new sales chief at Europe’s Airbus hinted at orders for an unannounced new version of its A321 jet, while softening market rhetoric and predicting rival Boeing will emerge quickly from a crisis over the grounded 737 MAX. Airbus is seeing more demand for longer-range versions of roughly 200-seat planes previously...
19th April
FBOA demands withdrawal of EOI issued for western bus routes
THE Fiji Bus Operators Association (FBOA) has demanded the withdrawal of an expression of interest issued by the Land Transport Authority for the routes presently serviced by a Lautoka-based company. FBOA general secretary Rohit Latchan said the LTA’s call for expressions of interest as published last Saturday, April 13, was both unreasonable and arbitrary. In...
Decline in sector
THE decline in the economic contribution of the forestry sector over the past seven years has resulted in reduction in sawmilling operations and some job losses. Minister for Forests Osea Naiqamu said for the past seven years, the sector contributed an average of $36 million per year to Fiji’s gross domestic product. “This equates to...
