Trash rate, drink-driving
A national hero
AS per The Fiji Times of Saturday, January 28, Prime Minister honourable Sitiveni Rabuka’s contribution to the Letters to the Editor and caption, classed Allen Lockington as a national hero for his legacy as a philanthropist.
His informative contribution in his letter and paying his last respect to Allen Lockington touched the heart of many.
Today’s Thought (Saturday): We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give — WINSTON CHURCHILL.
SARITA LAL
Malolo St, Lautoka
Garbage rates
I ALSO agree with Julie Sutherland on the rubbish collectors issues (FT 28/1/23).
The municipal councils should act on this ASAP.
But my issue is with the current residential garbage collection rates for Suva residents which is $27.25 VIP per annum per bin.
This is for three weekly collections for the whole year. In other words 156 collections.
So for this important service, this equates to just over $0.17c, yes seventeen cents, per pickup.
This is ridiculous. A more realistic fee, under the circumstances, should be at least $1 a trip.
Remember the collection group normally involves a truck with a driver and at least two SCC employees.
But, do we really need three collections a week. I reckon twice a week will be more than sufficient.
Maybe the new Local Government Minister could include this in their reforms.
Also I have been reliably informed that some households with more than 1 flat pay only one garbage collection fee, although they put out more than one bin for collection.
The administrators should look into this also.
While at it the minster responsible should also look at our water rates.
I believe we should be paying much more for our water — the best in the world.
VIJAY P. MADHAVAN
Borron Rd, Suva
Drink-drive drivers
On Saturday morning, commencing around 5.50am, January 28, 2023 during the course of my 60-min 5.24km walk along the Martintar, Nadi Queens Road, Wailoaloa Rd - Denarau By-pass and back on to the Queens Rd towards McDonald’s Nadi, I encountered no less than six drivers (rental and private cars) under the influence. Six drink/drive drivers just “got away” unscathed. They should have been taken in, without any doubt, in my view.
Our roads and side street boasted no less than a hundred patrons who were well intoxicated on Saturday morning. A bad sight for all incoming and out-bound tourists and visitors. Martintar, Nadi’s in place for night life, deserves better for peace of heart, mind and will. Wailoaloa is another in place for night life too.
Respectfully, I make this appeal. In the name of poverty alleviation, please close all our bars, taverns and nightclubs by 1am.
People should be home before the sun rises. Remember, every dollar saved at the bar, means one long loaf for their families at home. Some of our people cannot handle alcohol responsibly.
To the highway police “booze bust team” please pay some attention too to our little corner of the world.
Martintar, Nadi boasts major early morning issues about our personal safety with many drunkards spilling out from bars, taverns and nightclubs from 5am. Drunk drivers are a menace and danger to all road users and society.
Many of our people are too scared to put pen to paper and sign petitions. RONNIE CHANG
Martintar, Nadi