The Fiji Times

Trafficking in Fiji extended to other countries

INTERNATIONAL and domestic trafficking in Fiji has now extended to Thailand and other countries, according to International Organization for Migration project support officer Lee Yacoumis. Ms Yacoumis, during her presentation during the Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation workshop at the Naviti Resort in Sigatoka yesterday, said trafficking was increasing in Fiji. She said previously sex...

Trafficking, one of the worst forms of violence

TRAFFICKING is one of the worst forms of violence against women and girls who are used for sexual exploitation and forced labour, says Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Minister Mereseini Vuniwaqa. While officiating during the National Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation workshop at the Naviti Resort in Sigatoka yesterday, Mrs Vuniwaqa said trafficking in persons...

FNU senior instructor wins Research Excellence award

SENIOR instructor in the School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Fiji National University’s (FNU) College of Engineering, Science and Technology (CEST), Dr Ronesh Sharma was the recipient of the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence 2019, in the category of Early Career Researcher. Dr Sharma who attained a PhD degree, received the award in...

Tamavua unplanned outage due to damaged underground cable

A 415Volts underground power cable supplying the customers in the Tamavua area had been damaged during excavation works undertaken by the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF). This was clarified by Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) Acting Chief Executive Officer Bobby Naimawi in a statement today. The statement was issued as there was an unplanned power outage...

Road signs to assist Police improve road safety

THE Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) is deeply concerned with the number of deaths on the roads and so they have assisted the Fiji Police Force with 58 new traffic police signs to improve road safety. FRA Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Moore said the traffic signs will help the police control accidents on the road. “We...

Five scholarship offers for Fijian athletes at Beijing Sports University

LUNHAO Xia, Vice President of Beijing Sports University has announced that Fijian athletes and officials are welcome to study at Beijing Sports University, one of the finest Sports University in China through its International Sports scholarship. Mr Xia made the announcement during a meeting with Fijian Minister for Industrial Relations, Employment and Youth & Sports,...

200,000 measles vaccines to boost measles response in Fiji

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services today received 200,000 measles vaccines, funded by the Australian Government to boost the Fijian Government’s measles response. Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete thanked the Australian Government for their assistance saying “these vaccines will enable us to continue our mass immunisation campaign, targeting those most...

iTaukei documents and official records safe: Bainimarama

ALL iTaukei documents and official records are safe despite the iTaukei Affairs building being completely destroyed in a fire this morning. This is the reassurance by the Permanent Secretary iTaukei Affairs and Chief Executive Officer iTaukei Affairs Board, Meleti Bainimarama in a statement released this afternoon. Mr Bainimarama also assured the public that the Ministry...

22-year-old man believed to be latest drowning victim

A 22-year-old man from Lautoka is believed to be the country’s latest drowning victim. This was confirmed in a statement sent by police released today. Police have revealed that the man was swimming with some friends in the Naviago Waters in Lautoka on Monday when the incident had occurred. “His body was later found in...

RFMF holds final parade of the year

MORE than 900 members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces were part of the Commanders Parade held at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua today. RFMF Commander, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto while officiating at the final parade of the year reminded each military personnel on the importance of job retention. “There is a reason...

Measles outbreak: Fiji now records 19 confirmed cases

THERE are now 19 confirmed cases of measles in Fiji. A Government statement issued today says the latest confirmed is a nine-month-old from Davuilevu in Rewa who stayed at Saumakia Settlement in Naitasiri, and the Korovou Prison Compound in Suva. “This child is currently admitted in a stable condition under isolation in the CWM Hospital,”...

New firefighters to be involved in multiple response and rescue operations

SIXTY-EIGHT new firefighters were today told that they would be involved in multiple response and rescue operations. While addressing the firefighters this morning during their graduation ceremony, Fiji Corrections Services Commissioner Commander Francis Kean said the essential services provided by the National Fire Authority was no longer to firefighting. He said firefighters were now skilled...

Workshop participants reminded of their roles in combating human trafficking

PARTICIPANTS attending the human trafficking and child exploitation workshop at Naviti Resort in Sigatoka, this morning were reminded their roles towards combating and reducing human trafficking. Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa said their contribution would help strengthen the capacity and capability as a nation. “I urge you all to contribute comprehensively...

Nursing graduates reminded on importance of public service

ONE hundred and ten nursing graduates of the Sangam School of Nursing have been reminded about the importance of their services to the public. In his reminder to the graduates at Civic Centre in Labasa this morning, Minister for Health Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete encouraged the new nurses to serve the people to the best of...

Bid to retrieve items

BELONGINGS taken from two of the four men accused of allegedly supplying 39.36 kilograms of cocaine worth $35 million has yet to be returned by police. Dutch national Marc Winston Tjin Konnoen and Lautoka businessman Shaneil Suresh Autar have made several attempts to retrieve their belongings that include a vehicle through their legal representatives. The...

$15k boost for WOWS Kids Fiji

WALK on Walk Strong Kids Fiji received a $15,000 boost from the organisers of the annual Nadi International Volleyball Tournament. The handover held in Nadi yesterday was welcomed by WOWS Kids Fiji co-founder Sina Kami. “This is more than what we had expected and everyone knows it will go a long way,” said Mrs Kami,...

$1.2m refund – Court of Appeal orders taxman to pay insurer

THE Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) have been ordered to return $1.2m to Life Insurance Corporation of India (LICI). The Fiji Court of Appeal, in a ruling on November 29, had set aside the judgment of the High Court in January 2017 that ruled on the issue of FRCS demanding $1,230,993.75 from LICI as...

Municipal councils urge ratepayers to clear arrears

MUNICIPAL councils in the Western Division are urging residential ratepayers to take advantage of the final amnesty period before the 100 per cent waiver on interests comes to an end on December 30. Ba Town Council CEO Dip Narayan said ratepayers needed to clear their arrears before the end of the year. “As announced by...

150th anniversary: Coconut beetle find

ACCORDING to The Fiji Times of October 10, 1956, the rhinoceros beetle was first discovered in Fiji in March 1953, when many of the insects were found in south-eastern Viti Levu. From the south-eastern area where it was first found, the beetle population increased within three years and infestation slowly spread to other parts of...

Families lament loss

A COUPLE buried their 17-year-old daughter yesterday after she was killed in a car crash on Monday. Merilyn Bernadette Peters died after the car she was travelling in allegedly collided with a bus at Nabukavesi along the Queen’s highway outside Suva. Friends and families were present at their home in Sakoca, Tacirua yesterday to pay...

Opportunity for leaders to discuss business transformations

A PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS Global meeting was held in Nadi yesterday for PwC leaders from the Asia Pacific region. PwC Asia Pacific assistance leader Humphrey Choi said the PwC Global Meeting was an opportunity for leaders to discuss important business transformations. “The whole purpose of us coming here is every couple of months, all of the leaders...

From planting sugarcane to importing tractors

TO be successful in establishing a business you have to have your heart in your business. This is the same thing Rakesh Kumar had before he ventured into running his own business in Waila, Nausori. Mr Kumar was a salesman for 23-years and was able to save $5000 that time. From that money he decided...

Four in court for alleged supply of cocaine worth $35m

FOUR men charged for the alleged supply of $35million worth of cocaine appeared at the Lautoka High Court again yesterday. Dutch national Marc Winston Tjin Konnoen, Lautoka businessman Shaneil Suresh Autar, Rosheel Kumar and university student Pravishek Kartik Narayan were charged all charged with unlawful possession and supply of illicit drugs. The four are alleged...

iTaukei Affairs building destroyed in early morning blaze

THE iTaukei Affairs building at Nasova in Suva was completely destroyed in a fire after 3am today. According to Police a call was received through 919 of a case of fire at the iTaukei Affairs building whereby officers from the National Fire Authority (NFA) and Totogo Police Station were deployed to the scene. Police further...

National 7s teams given equal contracts

THE men and women’s national sevens team to the 2019-2020 World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series have been given equal contracts, confirmed Fiji Rugby Union CEO John O’Connor. “Both the men and the women sevens team are contracted since they joined the side, but the only difference is that some of our players contracts are on...

Sigatoka CEO resigns

THE chief executive officer of Sigatoka Town Council has resigned. Tulsi Ram has handed his one-month notice to the Ministry of Local Government. Mr Ram, who was also responsible for the Rakiraki Town Council, had handed over the management of the council to the Special Administrator Mark Hirst two weeks ago. “Age has caught up...

Ministry urges parents to be more vigilant on children’s safety

PARENTS should be more vigilant in looking after their children during this festive season. Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Ministry assistant director for Child Services Ema Tukutukuevu said parents could be held accountable if something happened to their children. “We should know where our children are, what they are doing or engaging themselves in and...

Children have their rights to be protected: Tukutukulevu

ADULTS of today who children trust are the very ones who betray them, says Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Ministry assistant director for Child Services Ema Tukutukulevu. Speaking at the 2019 Human Rights Day community awareness session in Vunidawa, Naitasiri, yesterday, Ms Tuktukulevu said children have their rights to be protected. “Today we the adults...

Transition to build a clean and sustainable economy

COUNTRIES must tap into the vast untapped potential of solar power to revolutionise the cars, the vessels that sail the waters, and the entire manner in which the societies create and consume energy. Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said this while speaking at the Solar and SIDS Making the Sun Shine Brighter event in Madrid, Spain...

Local News

12th December

Most identified victims of human trafficking are women