City status

I WILL stand corrected.

If the FijiFirst Government gives the majority of Nadi’s citizens of a generous piece of land, plus correctional services to bury our dead, is not forthcoming, then as a kai Nadi, in excess of 68 years, I see the proclamation of Jetset Nadi to city status as a sad event in the history of this nation of ours.

First and foremost, Nadi is the melting pot of many thousands of “landed immigrants” from all four corners of Fiji, and beyond distant shores. Enamanu Cemetery, a personal gift from the late Mrs Ferrier Watson, at least 80 long years ago, to all people of Nadi, is bursting at its seams. Where do our children, grandchildren and future leaders, get buried?

We all have a simple choice when we take our final breath — respectful burial and proper maintenance of our cemetery or cremation.

I rise to respond with civility and respect, Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industries insatiable appetite and accelerated push for Nadi’s attainment to city status. I beg to differ.

In this time of enormous economic hardships, especially prevalent in Nadi, with thousands upon thousands, out of work and reduced hours of work, Nadi cannot afford the impact of increased hardship such proclamation will bring.

I believe the new city boundary will stretch from the Navo or Korovuto periverals to the Sabeto River.

Without any doubt, city rates will be deemed payable by all new incoming ratepayers from a base rate of at least $300 per annum.

Existing town rates will spike. Can we afford these? I think not, for the immediate foreseeable future.

Why should our daily refuse/garbage be carted to Vunato or Sigatoka rubbish dumps?

The above are some very pertinent prerequisites of paramount importance before Nadi’s attainment of city status which I believe are being inadvertently overlooked by Dr Ram Raju and his team in NCCI.

My voice, a lone one, is being repeated for the benefit of all citizens of Nadi who do not have a traditional village burial place to go to.

Many now choose to be buried in Lautoka or Nadovi because Enamanu Cemetery is grossly overcrowded and very improperly maintained.

Some authority must now take immediate ownership in properly maintaining Enamanu Cemetery. The previous township fathers and relevant authorities failed to properly do so. Each one for himself, uncaring attitudes.

We all deserve some say, some respect and some dignity in our burials and proper respectful maintenance of our final resting places.

Will the honourable and extremely hardworking Prime Minister and Attorney General, please lend us a favourable listening ear?

I thank you in earnest anticipation, kind sirs.

RONNIE CHANG

Martintar Nadi