2018 flashback
Below are some of the widely read and most trending stories that the Fiji Sun published this year.
They include breaking news stories, investigative pieces, human interests and more.
They also included the Royal visit and the result of the 2018 National General Election which the FijiFirst Government won with 27 seats.
TWO MISSING IN PLANE DISAPPEARANCE (February 27)
Mosese Baledrokadroka and his family yesterday maintained a prayer vigil for missing stepson, flying instructor Iliesa Tawalo and student Merelesita Lutu.
The Nadi-based Pacific Flying School pilot and student were on a routine training flight on board a Cessna 172 aircraft when it disappeared in the mountainous interior of Macuata in Vanua Levu yesterday.
INSURANCE OFFICIAL REFERRED TO FICAC FOR ALLEGED BREACH (March 3)
The Fijian Elections Office has forwarded a complaint of a possible Electoral Act breach to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption involving the chief executive officer of Sun Insurance, Lolesh Sharma.
It is alleged that Mr Sharma held a staff meeting with his employees where he is alleged to have told them not to vote for FijiFirst in the upcoming General Election and that other political parties will revert Compulsory Third Party insurance back to insurance companies.
PRAISE FOR NATIONAL FIRE AUTHORITY OFFICERS (April 2)
Six firefighters braved risky conditions to take two heavily-pregnant women to safety when flood waters in the Ba River broke its banks at Yalalevu, leaving the two without any medical assistance at their homes.
The rescue effort meant the firefighters had to help the women onto inflatable rafts and swim and walk with the women hoisted on their shoulders for three hours from Moto to Ba Mission Hospital.
SACKED OVER VISA SCAM (May 6)
A staff member from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, allegedly involved in a visa scam, has been sacked.
The ministry confirmed that the staff was terminated. Deputy Secretary Operations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Arieta Moceica in response to queries sent to the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Major-General (Ret’d) Ioane Naivalurua only confirmed that the female staff member was terminated on Friday.
MSAF FOUR LOSE JOBS (May 31)
Four top staff members of the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji had their contracts terminated yesterday afternoon.
Those sacked include the acting chief executive officer John Tunidau, manager finance Navin Kamlesh, manager human resources Louisa Tuimabualau and senior engineer examiner/surveyor Ieli Sefeti.
Captain Philip Hill has been appointed the acting CEO. Permanent Secretary of Infrastructure and chairman of the new MSAF board David Kolitagane has confirmed that the four were terminated because of alleged discrepancies in MSAF finances.
FIJIANS DEAD IN KENYA PLANE CRASH (June 8)
Two Fijians have been confirmed dead after an air crash north of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Tuesday afternoon (Kenya Time). The confirmation came late last night and was reported by Kenyan
newspaper The Standard.
Dead are Pastor Sakaraia Tamani Mataka, 55, and his son, Paula Tekei Mataka, 15, who were on their way from Kitale to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, before heading to Fiji when the plane crashed.
BOARD UNEARTHS WAF SCAMS (June 9)
Major irregularities that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars have been highlighted in the operations of the Water Authority of Fiji.
The irregularities, which are understood to go back many years, were uncovered after the current board commissioned renowned audit company KPMG to conduct a special internal audit for the Procurement of Materials and Spares on October 6, 2017.
$33M DIGGER ‘SCAM’ (June 21)
More have been unearthed in the Water Authority of Fiji alleged scam. This time, it has been alleged that WAF spent more than $33 million to hire a digger for 15 months.
LANDOWNERS TAKE TLTB TO COURT (July 20)
Landowners who own the Denarau land on which Sheraton and Westin Resort properties are built are taking the iTaukei Land Trust Board to court.
They seek information on the deed of settlement that paved the way for the sale of shares in the companies that owned the properties.
‘I’M NOT A THIEF’ (August 10)
A student, accused on social media of looting victims of the tragic Nabou multiple vehicle crash, said last night: “I’m not a thief ”.
Veresa Sokosoko, 27, a student of Nabua Secondary School Matua (adult) class, broke his silence after he could no longer stand the personal vilification against him. He added: “What hurt me the most was that I was trying to help the victims. I have been labelled a thief by people who did not know the full story.
DUKE OF SUSSEX WILL USE THE SAME STAINLESS STEEL SHOVEL USED BY HIS GRANDMOTHER IN 1953 (October 23)
History repeats itself tomorrow.
The shovel that was used by Queen Elizabeth II in a royal visit in December 1953, to plant a tree at Lautoka, will be used again by her grandson, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, to plant a dakua seedling at Colo-i-Suva.
It will be the second time the shovel has been used by a member of the British Royal family in its 65- year history. It has never been used in any other event.
FIJIFIRST SECURES 27 SEATS (November 18)
FijiFirst leader Voreqe Bainimarama and his party have secured 27 seats to win the 2018 General Election.
A multi-faith thanksgiving by FijiFirst is expected to be held when Mr Bainimarama returns tomorrow from his brother’s funeral in New Zealand.
It is expected that FijiFirst MPs who will be part of Cabinet will be sworn-in within a week.
SODELPA secured 21 seats as per the final results. The National Federation Party secured three seats.
WHISTLEBLOWER REWARD (December 22)
The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service
(FRCS) Board will again reward another whistleblower following the successful recovery of millions of dollars in tax.
The board has approved a $350,000 reward to the whistleblower who provided them with valid information that led to the recovery of $6 million in tax (excluding penalties).