Nightclub hours

Grateful indeed

I AM really grateful for the work and planning the ministry of agriculture has in mind to plant more coconut trees in most lands. There is no doubt in my mind that this planning will definitely have a good impact on the communities around the area. They have made good use of the land around them and most importantly, more employment for the people. This will also reduce the effect of urban drift. The people have admired the plans you guys have in mind and hope that one day, later on, this planning will come into effect. KELEPI DAKUIYACO Waikalou, Serua

Foreign coach

SO once again Fiji Football Association appointed another foreign coach for the World Cup after our local coach helped qualify the team to the under-19 World Cup.

In 2014, the then Ravinesh Kumar, the under-20 coach who helped qualify the team to the World Cup was replaced by Frank Farina who came in as a technical adviser.

It’s a shame that the OFC coach education program is skyrocketing with our Fijian coaches who are now reaching the highest levels, Fiji Football Association does not recognise the competency levels of local coaches.

Let’s see if the new under-19 coach can win any games at the World Cup. GEOFFREY CHAND Lautoka

Civil service

I STRONGLY believe one of the biggest challenges for the new Government is making civil service more attractive, unfortunately which is further compounded by the mass departure of skilled civil servants.

It would be interesting to note in the near future the statistics by profession of those departed government workers.

One good thing the Government has done straight and expedited without any delay is increasing the retirement age to 60.

However, this may not be just enough to attract and keep the civil servants in the profession.

It is more about having a career plan whereas your years of service increases you are appropriately remunerated and qualify to hold senior positions. We may not be able to match other developed countries in terms of worker remuneration but at least come up with something innovative to entice workers before it becomes a brain drain problem.

PRANIL RAM Votualevu, Nadi

Plausibility deniability

AS Fijians begin the new 2023 year with a spring in their steps, the world seems a lot brighter even in the rain. Hopes and aspirations look attainable and most of all, there is vibrancy in the air.

A fair way from 16 years of regressive, dictatorial leadership and subjective chaos, Fiji’s civil servants those below permanent secretary level can breathe easy for a little while and believe that they do not have to keep looking over their shoulders to keep their jobs!

I believe government executive expatriate appointments in the past 16 years, were selected not for their academic qualifications, nor their familiarity with the country.

With estrangement between the low-level workers in the civil service and private government institutions, these government executive expatriates had the cushiest jobs of being highly paid, and having the luxury of plausible deniability for any and all actions they make during their tenure in the job.

Our new Government, new “Optimus” Prime Minister and his new coalition ministers have their work cut out for them.

Already, they have commenced their work with a lot of affirmative decisions and progressive changes.

All positive for Fijians and especially for the civil service.

The future looks very promising for Fiji.

And with a brighter future ahead of us, Mr Rabuka and his new government can be assured that all Fijians today, will now be able to ask, “not at what the government can do for us, but what we can do for Fiji”?

Let all Fijians stand together as one and move our beloved nation forward. God bless Fiji.

EPELI RABUA

Loloma St, Tamavua, SUVA

I’M glad that the Nadi business community through its Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Dr Ram Raju have come on board in calling for a review of nightclub hours along Martintar, one of the busiest stretches in the region. Be rest assured that our fellow Martintarbased writer Ronnie Chang will now sleep in peace.

Our women and children will be more safe and confident in going to the shops early morning now once the law is changed.

But that should not stop the Namaka Police Station in doing foot patrol because of the high trade of illegal and illicit drugs in that CBD area all the way to Wailoaloa picnic area.

JIOJI M CAKACAKA

Tadra, Votualevu, Nadi

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