Your views

‘A good newspaper is a nation talking to itself’

Climate change Suva

The COP27 meeting at Sharm El Sheik, Egypt, heard loud and clear the deep concerns of the Pacific people.

They are simply no longer prepared to sit and talk and talk endlessly.

The negotiating stage is over, and the great polluters must deliver.

The head of the Fijian delegation, our permanent representative to the United Nations, Dr Satyendra Prasad, has not mince his words. He was surprised that some countries were still negotiating while the climate condition has crossed the extreme red threshold. Therefore, the level of urgency must be embedded in the negotiations.

The bottom line is the immediate release of the $100 billion mitigation funds. Nothing less will suffice. The use of fossil fuels has a devastating effect as the greenhouse effect continues to rise.

The Pacific voices want this to stop, lest the planet earth becomes impossible to live on.

The Pacific youth also demonstrated their feelings as their island countries come under severe climatic threat.

United States President Joe Biden’s speech at the COP27 meeting also came under criticism. It did not really reflect the urgency of the matter. However, President Biden had assured that technical support in the form of an early warning system via satellite would be the first round of actions. Let’s hope that he lives up to his words. What about loss and damage finance?

Markings for taxis

Ajai Kumar, Nadi

I refer to Mr Norman Yee’s letter about parking spaces marked for taxis at Lodhia St.

Mr Ronnie Chang and I had also written about this issue concerning the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) marking many places that were previously free spaces as taxi ranks.

Just drive around Nadi and Namaka and see for yourselves!

Ever since the open taxi base system was introduced, taxi drivers don’t stay put in any fixed spot, but they keep moving around, which is how they compete for business. So, what got in the head of FRA to start playing with yellow paint? It is ridiculous to say the least. They do this without consulting the relevant stakeholders. And once they splash the paint, they close their ears and shut their eyes.

I hope the next Government wipes out those silly taxi markings on the first night when they form Government.

Daylight saving Ronnie Chang, Nadi

Isn’t it annoying? The time on your mobile phones were adjusted to Fiji Daylight Saving Time when there is none this year.

Come on Digicel Telstra Fiji, you can do far better than this? Please get your act together.

For a 70-year retiree, I needlessly rushed. I was one whole hour early for mass on Sunday. Anyway, thank you o Lord our God in Jesus’ Holy Name for this new day and the precious gift of life.

Sausages

Wise Muavono, Lautoka

The texture of some lamb sausage sold in our local supermarkets today have left me wondering if they are made from sheep wool!

Vital issues

Kirti Patel, Lautoka

Rather than the authorities consuming so much time on the leader of the National Federation Party (NFP), why not focus on the other major issues affecting the country?

The price of exaggerating basic food items is taking the toll on many. Water supply, poor medical system, the state of the squatter settlements, including houses damaged by termites, and unemployment rates are some critical issues to ponder on.

Sixteen years is a long time for all these to come into shape specially the state of the public hospital, which is widely used by everyone in the country. It is easy to sit on the plane and fly overseas for treatment, but on the ground levels, the suffering is real.

While we are being the voices behind, those who are facing such problems are the ones who feel the real pinch of the harsh reality on the grounds. So many frustrations are out there; so much pain is out there but most of all so much hope is out there too. Let’s hope for a change, hope for a better Fiji, hope for unity and being consulted, but most if all I hope to be heard.

Any country’s good medical system can analyse the running of the country. People want Fiji to be a place where they can afford to buy the basics, with overall good health service and good eminent water supply, to name a few.

It’s not that difficult, all you need to do is vote on election day and know where to cast your valuable ticks. Change is on its way.