Nadi issue

REFERENCE, with respect, is made to Shalwyn Prasad, Mukta Ben Place, Nabua, Suva (FT 04/10). Democracy, is supposedly, alive and well in Fiji.

Your views are acknowledged.

I believe the Jetset Town of Nadi, for all concerned, is not ready, in the foreseeable future to become a viably vibrant city. Period!

As a kai Nadi well past 68 years, I wish to repeat myself.

Enamanu cemetery, a privately donated piece of land, for the burial of all concerned citizens, is full.

Nadi awaits urgent government given land for this purpose, our final resting place inclusive of all younger generations, for the next 50 to 100 years.

Nadi does not have correctional services to bury our loved ones.

Why? Correctional services are available in Suva and Lautoka.

Nadi must be next in line.

Our new cemetery must be properly maintained and preserved by this government institution. Records must be kept.

(Some of us, through religious beliefs, have no need for a final resting place). Nadi’s water supply, at best, cannot meet demands.

Our mountain ranges, at close 20km proximity from our town, provides for adequate water which is not trapped for consumption.

Nadi has inadequate water reservoir storage facilities.

Nadi does not have our own rubbish dump. Our rubbish is sent to either Lautoka or Sigatoka, for dumping. This is a real sad story too.

Nadi’s sewage treatment is grossly inadequate, by any stretch of one’s wildest imagination.

Our members are striving real hard, in close consultation with hardworking, mover and shaker, Nadi Town Council CEO Craig Powell to properly address the above shortfalls, clearly made known to the Government of the day.

We are fortunate to have district officer Faiyaz Ali see to and address the above.

We strive to leave Nadi a better place, after we have “moved on”, for our children, grandchildren and all our future civic leaders.

I fail to understand the premature push for Nadi’s proclamation to city status. Nadi is just not ready.

That’s the cold hard truth.

Furthermore, Fiji tourism, of which Nadi, Coral Coast, the Mamanucas and Yasawas are backbone to our national economy, is almost 99.9 per cent “dead”.

Our economy is in tatters.

We cannot afford new city rates, when they come into effect.

Our rural areas, in sight of new city boundary, will be subject to new city rates. Can our country people afford these rates? I think not.

With these pertinent prerequisites and concerns, I wish to reiterate, for now, Jet Set Nadi is not ready for elevation to city status, in the immediate foreseeable future.

We are passionate in placing Nadi in a better place for all future generations — those who will “follow” us.

RONNIE CHANG

Chair - Concerned Nadi Citizens Martintar, Nadi