Warm welcome

PM receives warm welcome from staff (FT30/12). The accompanying photos show staff smiling spontaneously and apparently happy to receive the new PM.

By contrast photos taken with the former PM Bainimarama and his right-hand man Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum at functions and conferences etc showed what looked like people at a funeral.

The latter reminds me of Hagar the Horrible saying: “It’s not easy!” when asked by his portrait painter “Can you smile for this portrait?” (FT 30/12). RAJEND NAIDU

Sydney, Australia

No more silence

AS responsible Fijians like you and me, we are tasked to take our country forward to greater heights, after our 2022 General Election.

Let’s root out evil, corruption and nepotism?

I don’t want to live in a society with fear, bullying, intimidation, suppression of voice and everything to be shoved upon me, whether I like it or not. There is no need to beat around the bush any more, just say the truth because the truth will set you free.

I hope with our new government in place, they will not treat us in silence as the previous government was well known for?

Hello, anybody there, we are here. Talk to us like normal human beings.

JIOJI M CAKACAKA

Tadra- Votualevu, Nadi

Safety on our roads

ROAD traffic crashes every year claim numerous human lives. Pedestrians continue to fall victims of this escalating problem largely due to the fault of motorists.

Of course, there are some cases where the victims had themselves to blame if you know what I mean.

Largely most of our roads are not designed to accommodate pedestrians as they are too narrow and have no footpath. Where else can a pedestrian walk if the road verges are all covered under thick bush. Some areas are known to have pedestrians moving regularly in volumes hence it is important to make sure that area is made safe.

This can happen in stages, but it has to start somewhere. Sadly no one seems to be bothered or is doing anything to improve on this aspect of road safety. Let’s see if the new government has the will to change this.

SURESH CHAND

Nadi

Bad move

I THINK asking the police chief to resign is a very bad move by our New Minister for Defence.

SUKHA SINGH

Labasa

USP saga

THE new Fiji Government should seriously think about whether it is feasible in the near to distant future to continuously support a university that I believe undermines the Republic of Fiji and sovereignty of its citizens.

It is also hosting a Confuscious Institute which I believe may be used by the mainland Chinese Government as a propaganda tool.Does the Fiji Government influence the curricula at USP despite being one of the biggest donor?

The current Fiji Government should remember we have our work force skills gaps whether from public or private sectors and if public funds is not being utilised to address that need then it needs to be stopped.

I believe the current actions of the administration at USP in the last few years challenged our sovereignty despite them being our guests.

I believe more courses that are offered at the Fiji National University and University of Fiji meet the workforce needs of our public and private sectors than the so called regional university.

Some guests in our country need to be reminded periodically they are still guests on our soil.

We maybe one of the peaceful people in the world but I believe we can be firm and violent as well if pushed.

MELI MATANATOTO

Suva

Track record

NOW I know that track record is no longer a tool for political mileage.

Because just like coins, track records has also got two sides.

Building a state of the art airport is nothing when comparing with a threeyear-old broken bridge used by ordinary people. The unseen and unknown track records which matters to the voters. Remember the code of silence.

It’s deadly!

PITA SOROAQALI

Rakiraki

Singh sets the platform!

I CONGRATULATE honourable Agni Deo Singh, the former general secretary for the Fiji Teachers Union, on his appointment as the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations. Honourable Singh was officially welcomed by his staff with a traditional iTaukei welcoming ceremony of qaloqalovi and sevusevu, and in his opening remarks, he briefly shared with the staff his humble beginnings growing up in the village of Niurua, in the province of Macuata.

I have been his assistant for some 12 plus years at FTU and I found him to be a brave leader. He did not mince his words and fought for workers’ rights, dignity and welfare.

He is a man of principles. Agni in Hindi means fire, and honourable Singh is a brave and fearless leader.

He was at the helm of FTU for more than two decades. In 1992, he became the assistant general secretary, and in 1999, following the election of the incumbent Pratap Chand to Parliament, he became the general secretary of FTU.

I’m glad that honourable Singh is heading the Ministry which deals with workers as he has been in the forefront tackling issues affecting teachers.

As FTU GS, he did not shy away from issues and handled them exceptionally well. His press releases touched hearts. Members outside the teaching fraternity have deep respect for him as he has helped families and their children.

While addressing his team, I’m glad he highlighted the need to continue the national tripartite forum to maintain good relationships both locally and internationally.

Honourable Singh also emphasised the importance of tripartism and according workers social justice through decent work. On behalf of the Fiji Teachers Union and its entire 5000 plus membership, I congratulate honourable Singh on his appointment. He has left a vacuum that would take time to fill, but the good part is that the Employment Ministry has a minister that it deserves! Congratulations honourable Singh!

RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM

Nadawa, Nasinu