Local News
Chunk of Waterways ministry budgetary allocation earmarked for capital projects
OUT of the $23.8milllion allocated to the Ministry of Waterways, 75 per cent of the allocation would be utilised on numerous capital projects across nine programs. Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and...
Controlling stray dogs requires coordination and planning: Ministry
CONTROLLING stray dogs requires coordination, cooperation and planning, says the Ministry of Agriculture. A ministerial statement regarding the eight-week campaign conducted by the ministry beginning this week stated the community approach was the best way to provide a long-term solution to the stray dog problems. “Responsible pet ownership is the key” the statement said. “The...
Education Minister confirms completion of MY APA for teachers
FIJI’S Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Rosy Akbar today confirmed that the MY APA annual assessment or appraisal of teacher’s performance have been completed. Ms Akbar said in an interview with The Fiji Times today this assessment would determine the pay increment that teachers are expected to receive. The Education Minister said it was...
PCN director fronts court
THE Director of People’s Community Network (PCN), Semiti Qalowasa appeared at the Suva Magistrates Court today. The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) had taken Mr Qalowasa to court and charged him with failure to furnish information. In court today, defence lawyer Lisiate Qetaki filed a motion to vacate plea and sought time for a...
Motion to increase wages for Corrections officers defeated in Parliament
FIJI Correction Service officers should get pay increments for the work they do, says Opposition MP Mosese Bulitavu. He highlighted this issue during a debate to increase the salaries of Fiji Correction Services officers by $2million in Parliament today. “The RFMF and Fiji Police Force had their pay increments as promised but the Correction officers...
Radradra 7s: More spectators expected; First day results
THE first day of the Radradra rugby sevens tournament ignited a flare of interest for the people of Taveuni and more spectators are expected to be part of the tournament tomorrow. Tournament director Sakiasi Veitogavi said the excitement had just begun as they expect more people over the next two days. “Today’s games were just...
State yet to finalise victim impact statement in multiple rape case
THE State has yet to finalise the victim impact statement and previous convictions list in a case involving a serving prisoner facing multiple rape and sexual-related charges. Luke Ravuga appeared before judge Justice Vinsent Perera at the High Court in Suva today charged with three counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault. It...
Motion to strike out grant to PIDF defeated in Parliament
A MOTION to strike out an operating grant of $1.2million allocated to the Pacific Islands Development Forum Secretariat ( PIDF) was defeated in Parliament today. This issue was highlighted during the committee of supply’s deliberation on the 2019-2020 National Budget in Parliament. Opposition MP Anare Jale said there was no need to allocate such funds to...
Motibhai Group hosts Bushells Fiji’s Biggest Morning Tea
THE Motibhai Group of Companies hosted its 13th Bushells Fiji’s Biggest Morning Tea today as they continue to further their efforts in the fight against cancer. During the event, the message on the importance of early presentation to the doctor was emphasised given that cancer is the third leading cause of death in Fiji. The Fiji Cancer Society stated it was imperative for...
Coach Baber to scout at Radradra 7s tournament
FIJI Airways Fiji 7s team coach Gareth Baber will be at the Radradra rugby 7s tournament that kicked off in Taveuni on Vanua Levu today. Tournament media and marketing officer James Vunituraga confirmed with The Fiji Times that Baber will be at the tournament on Friday and Saturday. Not only the Welshman will meet some...
Road accident injures sisters
TWO primary school students sustained injuries after an accident at Valelevu, Nasinu on Monday afternoon. Merebuli and Rosa Lumelume were crossing Ratu Mara Rd in Valelevu around 3pm when the incident happened. The two sisters are aged eight and 12, respectively. Their father, Sivaniolo Lumelume, said even though there were no major or internal injuries...
Policy: Report allegations against teachers
HEADS of schools have been warned they could lose their jobs if they fail to report allegations levelled against teachers. According to the newly-introduced Child Protection Policy, failure to report with the intent of protecting a teacher can result in “termination of services”. The policy requires three types of investigations when there is a complaint...
Food festival to promote healthy living
A FOOD festival is being held at Ratu Sukuna Park in Suva with an aim to promote healthy living. Organised by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, activities at the three-day Food Festival is also aimed at correcting the misinformation about food amid the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) crisis in Fiji and around the world. Church health director...
Government borrowings “extremely unhealthy”: Radrodro
OPPOSITION member of Parliament Aseri Radrodro last night labelled the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy as someone who was not a qualified finance or development person. Speaking in response to the 2019/2020 National Budget, he said the Government’s borrowings were extremely unhealthy and at high risk. “He has always laughed off our submissions, but I...
Fiji Airways awarded coveted Skytrax 4-Star rating
FIJI Airways has been awarded the coveted Skytrax 4-Star rating at the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards in Paris, joining a select group of elite airlines in this prestigious category. At the same awards, Fiji Airways also leapfrogged from 4th to 1st place to claim the “Best Airline Staff in Australia Pacific”, acknowledging the airline’s...
Bainimarama can explain GDP better, says Reddy
PRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama is the only person who can explain the gross domestic product (GDP) better than anyone else in Parliament, Agriculture and Environment Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy told Parliament yesterday. Responding to the 2019-2020 National Budget, he claimed certain Opposition MPs had criticised Mr Bainimarama’s explanation on GDP during a radio interview. “Mr...
Seruiratu: A safe Fiji to attract investors
THE Fiji Police Force plays an important role in creating an investor-friendly environment in Fiji, said Defence and National Security Minister Inia Seruiratu in Parliament yesterday. Speaking on the 2019-2020 National Budget, he said the Force had been allocated $800,000 to enhance the necessary capabilities for enforcers. “We can’t bring in foreign investors if we...
Sayed-Khaiyum responds to Rabuka
THE Opposition Leader, Sitiveni Rabuka, has forgotten the “doom” he created when he overthrew government in 1987. Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum made this comment in his right of reply to the 2019-2020 National Budget in Parliament last night. “Fijians can now compare for themselves the Rabuka doom with the Bainimarama boom,” he said. “The...
Government remains devoted, says A-G in budget reply
GOVERNMENT remains committed to building a liberal economy despite opposition critics. This was highlighted by the Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in his right of reply to the 2019-2020 National Budget in Parliament last night. “The Bainimarama boom will now be forever etched in the minds of people,” he said. “With all the criticisms raised...
Waqainabete: There is need for improvement
MINISTER for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete says there is significant need for continuous improvement in the ministry’s professionals capacity to protect lives and reduce complaints. Highlighting this in Parliament last night, Dr Waqainabete said there was also a need to stop the pilfering happening in health facilities, damaging and desecrating of health...
Tough days ahead for Fijian Government, says MP Tabuya
THE 2019-2020 National Budget has policies aimed to reduce Government’s budget deficits through spending cuts and tax increases. Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya made the comments during her budget response in Parliament yesterday. “The truth is, this is an austerity budget, austerity measures are used by governments around the world that find it difficult to pay...
‘Back to my roots’, says Babasiga wonderboy of ATK sign-up
FIJIAN wonderboy Roy Krishna has signed with Hero India Super League club Amra Team Kolkata (ATK). ATK is a professional football club based in Kolkata. Krishna, 31, said making the decision wasn’t easy for him but it was about going back to his roots where it all began from. “Our forefathers came to Fiji 140...
Government has become numb to the needs of the people: Radrodro
THE FijiFirst Government has become numb to the needs of the people of Fiji, claims Opposition spokeswoman for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Salote Radrodro. “They have become deaf to the cries of our people,” Ms Radrodro said. She said Government should hang its head in shame over the callous disregard for our youth. “Our...
National Budget is the product of a two-man rule: Qereqeretabua
THE 2019/2020 National Budget is the product of a two-man rule, says Opposition member of Parliament Lenora Qereqeretabua. She said blaming past governments and using legacy problems was the old and worn-out crutch some in the government side continued to use to cover up the FijiFirst Government’s failings. Ms Qereqeretabua said the budget was aimed...
100 additional LTA enforcement officers employed by LTA
THE Land Transport Authority has been forced to employ an additional 100 enforcement officers because of the level of fraud in our transport system. Education Minister Rosy Akbar, during her response to the 2019/2020 National Budget this week, said LTA had found several instances of this happening. She said students as young as five years...
Ministry to optimise their service delivery to the people
The 2019/2020 fiscal envelope anchors the Ministry of Fisheries’ work on increasing the fisheries sector’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), says Fisheries Minister Semi Koroilavesau. Mr Koroilavesau said the first objective of the ministry in the 2019/2020 financial year would be to optimise their service delivery to the people of Fiji through...
18th June
Duo charged for allegedly stealing coins from the parking meters
TWO former Labasa Town Council officials have been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with one count of theft each. According to FICAC, Ashok Kumar and Sashi Kant Shandil were presented at the Labasa Magistrates Court today. The duo, who previously served as Head of Department for the Parking Meter section and...
Abortion suspect was aware her lover was a married man
A WOMAN who was allegedly forced to abort her baby yesterday informed court that she was aware that the man she was having an affair with was a married man. The man who is standing trial before High Court judge Justice Riyaz Hamza is charged with procurement of abortion. It is alleged that Ashish Prasad...
Kiribati senior constable pays courtesy visit to Fiji Police
THE Fiji Police Force received a courtesy visit from Senior Constable Itaia Rereua of Kiribati Police Service today. Mr Rereua was warmly welcomed by Director International Relations Senior Superintendent of Police Ulaiasi Ravula at the Police Headquarters. Mr Rereua will be attached with the Fiji Police Forensic Department for the duration of five days to...
Fijian Parliament: Ratu Antonio clarifies NCD comments by Pillay
THE Government Member of Parliament Viam Pillay should understand that Non-Communicable Diseases are lifestyle and genetic diseases. Opposition MP Ratu Antonio Lalabalavu made this comment in Parliament today while clarifying comments made by Pillay on the increase in NCDs in Fiji. “Honourable MP Viam Pillay should understand that NCDs are caused by lifestyles and genetics,...
