Lightning strikes

Labasa

Would it be possible for the Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) to plot all the lightning strikes on the Monasavu to Vuda and Monasavu to Cunningham lines for the last 10 years, and may be (May be) I can tell you how to protect your transmission lines from frequent lightning strikes. This has only happened after the coup de’etats from 1987 with huge migration of our people to New Zealand, Canada, USA and Australia.

The Germans developed the relaxant tablets though it went haywire until they realised that all parts of the plant, like the leaves, should not be used as with Rhubarb. Than they went back to the production of the tablets.

I have always, since the last 18 years, referred to kava as the brown gold for Fiji and this is now being realise. However, we do not have a research centre though we are told that there are 13 varieties of kava. If Vanuatu can pack it in liquid form why can’t we? Also we should experiment in making it as an additive to alcohol in different forms.

Also, why does Australia restrict its import? It would be like us stopping the import of wines, spirits and other alcohol products. There are so many things that can be done with kava including grafting with certain other vine-like plants.

Kava and marijuana are a multi million dollar, if not, billion dollar foreign exchange earners which locals can have a greater input.

As for the health argument, at least kava is a relaxant and does not make you violent. Unlike alcohol, it is less damaging to health, nor does it make one violent. Road accidents and the cost to the taxpayer and the burden on the health system due to alcohol is enormous. Excessive consumption of kava as with alcohol is a problem in this country. I wonder why we continue to allow people entering our country being entitled to buy duty free. Departure is ok, but arrivals, no, in terms of the burden on the family and health system.

I am aware that some efforts are being made in commercial production and marketing of kava but it needs to be increased 100fold with government subsidies. Why must our people go fruit picking elsewhere which creates social problems when high end produce can be cultivated, processed and marketed by our people?

Due to the changes in the demography in our developed neighbours creates numerous other agro-based produce. There are endless opportunities in this country but than attitude needs changing and we must realise that we are all one people and family with differences, but not enemies. Not enemies!