PM: New Crossing Will Improve Quality of Life
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THURSDAY MARCH 14, 2019 l 16 PAGES l ISSUE 5 VOL 10 l WWW.FIJI.GOV.FJ Fijij Focus PM OPENS LEGAL AID OFFICE IN KEIYASI A-G clarifies debt, civil service contracts inside VUNIWAQA pays tribute to Fijian women 12 LAL gets a second chance Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama outside the new Legal Aid Commission office in 13 Keiyasi, Navosa. INSET: PM Bainimarama with Solicitor-General Sharvada Sharma and Legal Aid Commission staff outside the new office in Navosa. Photos: LITIA VULAIDAUSIGA AccessPM: New crossing will to improve justice quality of life LITIA VULAIDAUSIGA someone in their later stages of “I’m well aware of the reality told the people of Keiyasi that at than $15,000 a year, you can also life who needs to draft a Will, the once faced by your community. this office they can obtain advice, obtain free legal representation RIME Minister, Voreqe Legal Aid Commission is there to If residents in Keyasi wanted to free-of-charge, to assist with wit- in Family and Criminal matters Bainimarama on Tuesday support the Fijian people,” Prime speak with a Legal Aid officer that nessing documents, such as birth and even in some civil matters as Popened the newest Legal Minister Bainimarama said. often meant making the arduous certificates, academic transcripts well.” Aid Commission office in Keiya- This new office caters to Crimi- and costly journey to Sigatoka. and so on, dealing with landlord The Keiyasi Legal Aid office in- si, Navosa, in a further expansion nal, Family and Civil Law matters But accessing justice shouldn’t and tenant related issues, drafting cludes clerical staff, lawyers and a of access to justice for all Fijians. for clients unable to afford the fees mean hours of travel by bus or Wills and helping with Probate client information officer. “Whether you are a family suf- of private lawyers and at no cost, car.” matters. More Legal Aid offices will be fering from the loss of a loved clients will receive legal advice, “You must be able to access “And with their knowledge and opened in Taveuni and Seaqaqa one; a family facing eviction; a have legal representation in Court justice here, in your community, expertise to help guide you, you this week followed by Rotuma, mother seeking custody of a child; and enjoy other related services where you live, work and raise can all, more easily than ever Kadavu, Vunidawa and after com- a couple looking to adopt a new from Legal Aid officers stationed your families. And as of today, before, wield the tremendous pletion of works, Levuka thus tak- member of their family; someone in Keiyasi, on Mondays, Wednes- you finally can.” power of the rule of law for your ing the total to 22 Legal Aid Com- who is facing criminal charges; or days and Fridays each week. Prime Minister Bainimarama benefit. If your family earns less mission offices around Fiji. email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; NATIONAL MATTERS visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj phone: 3301806 INSIDE Fiji, Georgia A-G HOSTS FIRST ONLINE BUDGET CONSULTATIONS 4 seal visa- TREE PLANTING EXERCISE A SUCCESS 6 MINISTER SEEKS CHANGES free deal TO TOWN FESTIVALS 10 IJI and Georgia have signed untapped opportunities through CONSTITUTION GUARANTEES the visa free agreement that enhanced engagements in various RIGHTS FOR ALL FIJIANS 7 Fwill boost opportunities in sectors including the business and areas of trade, investment, tour- investments. ism and forge stronger diplomatic Deputy Minister Khvtisiashvili Minister for Defence National Security and Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu with Georgian QUOTE OF THE WEEK Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Khvtisiashvili. Photo: ERONI VALILI ties. said that the visa free agreement The signing coincided with the will expand platforms for Fiji- Georgia has culminated into pro- workforce and contribute towards political consultations between Georgia to maximise collabora- vision of scholarships for the Fi- the enhancement of Fiji’s health Fiji’s Minister for Defence, Na- tion in the developmental sectors. jian students. services. tional Security and Foreign Af- He said there is huge potential The first batch of six Fijian stu- Georgia has reaffirmed its sup- fairs, Inia Seruiratu and the Geor- for the two nations to strengthen dents who have taken their medi- port to provide more Fijian stu- Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum gian Deputy Minister of Foreign partnership in areas of business, cal qualifications at Tbilisi State dents with the scholarship pro- Affairs, Alexander Khvtisiashvili. trade, tourism and economic in- Medical University through the grams which will be broadened in Fiji is not buried in debts, Minister Seruiratu said the visa vestments particularly given Georgian scholarships offered to the areas of medical studies and In fact, Fiji’s ecenomy free agreement signing reflects Georgia’s position as the hub be- them through Fiji-Georgia col- business studies as well. the commitment by Fiji and Geor- tween Europe and Asia. laborations have testified to the Fiji and Georgia are also keen today is the strongest it gia to take their bilateral relations The Deputy Minister of Foreign remarkable training and expertise on exploring the possibilities of has ever been. We have to greater heights. Affairs of Georgia also updated they have acquired over a period their collaborations into areas of achieved nine straight It will not only allow the citi- the Fijian side on the situation in of 6 years. Defence and Peacekeeping along years of economic zens of Fiji-Georgia to travel with Georgia’s occupied territories. The students have returned to with the people to people links growth and have positive much ease but it will enable the It was also highlighted that Fiji last week and are looking and sports diplomacy. projections for the years two nations to capitalise on the strong relations between Fiji- forward to joining Fiji’s health [email protected] ahead. Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum NUMBERS $224m is the total amount of money Government invests towards the energy sector TWEET OF THE WEEK Sports administrators during the Fiji National Sports Commission Annual Conference 2019 at Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva. Photo: MARICA CAUCAU Be business-minded, sporting bodies urged NANISE NEIMILA ness. One of the key areas is our commitment a National Sports Academy and land has been Mereseini Rakuita to ensuring that Fiji has the best and accessible identified for this to proceed. (@MereseiniRakui1) INISTER for Youth and Sports sports facilities including our commitment to “I encourage all NSO’s here today to please talanoa session tonight with Parveen Kumar has highlighted new indoor arenas in Lautoka, Nasinu and in show their support for these projects. We can single mums of Wainibuku Mthat sports contributes to nearly one Suva, to the new 50 meter and 25metre pools only achieve them through working together HART. Economic empowerment third of the annual remittances pouring into and the international running track in Lauto- and with everyone’s input.” of women as a tool for poverty the country. ka.” “Through NSO’s hosting of international alleviation. Empowered women = As he officiated at the Fiji National Sports Looking globally, he said the revenue gener- tournaments and events in Fiji there is an eco- Strong Communities Commission Annual Conference 2019 ‘The ated from sports had resulted in a $700 billion nomic return to our whole community.” Business of Sports” held in Suva last week, plus industry. He adds that the Government has seen these Minister Kumar told the administrators of “Fiji has been the Hub of the Pacific for benefits and continues to support all sports, CONTACT sporting bodies that they need to be business sports, since our administrators initiated the provided they meet the grant criteria, in bring- minded. idea of the first South Pacific Games in the ing international events to Fiji. Publisher: Sharvada Sharma Sub Editor: Prashila Devi He said in Fiji, the major impact in recent late 1950s, and which we proudly hosted in “That is the business of sports, from bring- Manager Vernacular: Viliame Tikotani years, from a business or economic point 1963.” ing direct economic benefits to the country, to North office: Level 3 Macuata House, Labasa West office: Level 1 Ratu Nauliano House, Koroivalu of view, was that sports people are making “The Government and the Commission are showcasing our beautiful islands.” through remittances. currently working with various sports to es- “That’s why the Government has been sup- Contacts: Suva: 3301806 / West: 6700086 / 9905965 “It is estimated at nearly a third of all annual tablish their regional and Oceania training porting Sports Tourism and the large profes- North: 8811276 / 9905971 remittances received and growing. This is a centres in the country.” sional sports events such as the Fiji Profes- Fax: 3305139/3304663 [email protected] major boost to Fiji, and for the Government Minister Kumar adds that the Government is sional Golf Open, and the annual Super Rugby @FijiRepublic to innovate and invest in Fiji’s sporting busi- working and planning for the establishment of event.” Fijian Government visit us at www.fiji.gov.fj 2 Thursday, March 14, 2019 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj phone: 3301806 NATIONAL MATTERS Mortuary eases rural travel woes EMI KOROITANOA the people in the area. tion was quite the project. These buildings Bukuya to pledge to take proper care and “In a time of great mourning and strife, require technical fittings, high construction put their deceased loved ones to rest before ore than 2800 Fijians living in this type of struggle is the last thing a fam- standards and appropriate equipment.,” PM this period passed. Magodro District will no longer ily should have to shoulder,” PM Bainima- Bainimarama said.