your views

‘A good newspaper is a nation talking to itself’

Hazardous building Satish Nakched, Suva

The Minister for Local Government earlier this week has highlighted that some building drawings are inadequately prepared due to copy and paste, and thus poses a threat after the buildings are completed.

I was shopping in the one of the new outlets which was constructed in the interior aerial space of a theatre in Suva. This popular store has two levels connected with a stairway. There are new neighbouring shops in operation in the same complex. When I went upstairs, I noticed that there were other shoppers attracted to the merchandise on display with affordable prices.

Whilst there, I immediately noticed that the entire floor of the building was shaking and first thought that it was the effects of an earthquake. Later on, it kept on occurring in split second spells lasting a few seconds. At one time the goods from the display fell off due to the shudder. This vibration I believe was caused by the heavy vehicle movement on the streets because this particular building is surrounded by two major very busy city routes.

One of the staff actually acknowledged my concerns. As a lay person I believe that the steel beams on which the floor rests on are far part and vibrates due to the earth and the vehicle movements.

The properties of the materials used in the building maybe a concern that could adversely affect people safety.

Resonance effects must be probed further by relevant ministry for public safety because the theatre was a class nine building partly converted to a class six building.

Unbelievable Dharmendra Kumar, Suva

National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad says this is a time for our leaders to put national interest above selfinterest.

Wow, even during religious celebrations he tries to score political points. Grow up Mr Biman, no one wants to hear your political views now. The people of Fiji know who really cares.

Wasted effort Jan Nissar, Australia

I believe that the Acting Leader of the Opposition is clutching at straws by filing a Police report regarding the PM’s comments about Rabuka’s involvement in the events of November 2000 and his complaint regarding the source of the donations to the ruling party. In my opinion, Rabuka is well aware that his time is up, he has very little support within his party and he is trying to cause a distraction from all the disunity issues within his party.

I believe that he should just retire quietly and stop the embarrassment to himself and to the party. The party is bigger than any individual. What will be achieved by these actions?

I suggest it would be better if he spends this wasted energy on more important things like making a concerted effort in formulating a plan to make his party more diverse.

Has anyone in his party even thought of that?