THURSDAY MARCH 14, 2019 l 16 PAGES l ISSUE 5 VOL 10 l WWW..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 . 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 , 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 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. PM Bainimarama said the needs of the Mhave to make the arduous and rama said. “With this new facility comes a new re- people vary from community to commu- distressing journey of carrying across their He said these Fijians had been isolated sponsibility for Bukuya. As individuals, nity and are unique which necessitates a deceased family members to the Keiyasi from “something that those in larger towns you must take care of this mortuary, and custom solution to a different problem. Hospital Mortuary. and cities take for granted; how to physi- not abuse its services.” There are a six villages in Magodro. This is after Prime Minister Voreqe Baini- cally handle the death of a loved one by PM Bainimarama pointed out that Fiji’s The project is funded by the Small Grant marama delivered another project worth transporting their bodies to the nearest law affords three days of fee-free holding Scheme from the Office of the Prime Min- $450, 000 that was personally requested by mortuary. The new mortuary’s construc- of the deceased and urged the people of ister

PM, Ministers plan North tour RUPENI VATUBULI

REAT news for Fi- jians in the North- Gern Division as the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Cabinet Ministers will be in the North this week to connect more Fijians to Government services. In order to provide free le- gal services to more Fijians unable to afford the services of a private legal practi- tioner Legal Aid offices will be opened in Macuata and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum with participants during the Inaugural National Conference on Information Technology at The Pearl Resort in Pacific Harbour. Photo: RUPENI VATUBULI Taveuni by Prime Minister Bainimarama. The Fijian Government A-G: Build ICT sector or get left behind through the Legal Aid services aims to provide RUPENI VATUBULI quality legal aid services to Fijians who are unable to If we want to position ourselves for the 21st afford such assistance and century it is not only about getting our roads, by raising awareness on “bridges and airports built – it’s about building legal rights and the Consti- our ICT capacity otherwise we will be left behind’ tutional right of access to These are the words of the Attorney-General Aiyaz legal aid services. Sayed-Khaiyum as he officiated as chief guest at Furthermore, Minister for the Inaugural National Conference on Information Tourism Technology at The Pearl Resort, Pacific Harbour. will also be in the North to The A-G told the 150 participants present that they meet with Savusavu Tour- were leaders in the ICT areas and need to be the am- ism Association. bassadors so whenever new changes are introduced, Minister Kumar will they are able to tell people and communities around also visit the Savusavu them that this is what they need to do otherwise they market, Mataqali Nakiko will get left behind. Co-operative Limited, He highlighted that a large chunk of Fiji’s popula- Micro and Small Business tion is below the age of 27 and for most them it is Grant (MSBG) recipient about getting more internet access and connectivity Rina Nadini’s Horticulture – so the Government must create the right environ- business, Labasa Farm ment in order to ensure there is a huge uptake of Fresh Limited, Durubuabua technology thus the spending of over $40 million Aqua culture project and overall in the ICT (Information and Communica- Great North Sea Food Fiji tions Technology) sector for the 2018-2019 Nation- Limited. al Budget. The Minister seeks to He also urged Telecom Fiji Limited (TFL) to look establish a communication at the structure of its business to compete externally. channel with the organi- “TFL used to provide landline communications sations and individual in and is now the largest owner of fibre optic cable in order to help develop and Fiji,” he said. grow their business through The A-G said that Telecom Fiji needs to get into Government initiatives and being a landlord and opening up that infrastructure goals. for the competition among service providers. In addition, Minister for “They should not be competing with Digicel and Agriculture, Environment Vodafone but allowing the infrastructure to be used and Waterways Dr Mahen- - there is a need for change in business models,” he dra Reddy will visit Koro- said. tari, Dreketilailai, Tabia and The conference also saw the launch of ‘mySkills Nasealevu villages to hold App’. The app was created to connect the workforce talanoa sessions with Fijian Fiji National University Vice-Chancellor Nigel Healey with Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum during the Inaugural and the industries of Fiji in order to bridge the exist- farmers. National Conference on Information Technology at The Pearl Resort, Pacific Harbour. Photo: RUPENI VATUBULI ing skills gap and increases customer engagement.

Thursday, March 14, 2019 3 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; 2019-2020 NATIONAL BUDGET CONSULTATIONS visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj phone: 3301806 Govt out A-G hosts first online to embrace wave of budget consultations development PRASHILA DEVI NANISE NEIMILA HE Government wants OR the very first time the Fijian Govern- to embrace a new ment has introduced online 2019/2020 Twave of development FBudget consultation that has allowed through the upcoming nation- Fijians to voice their ideas, questions and feed- al budget even though the Fi- back on the next financial year. jian economy has shown nine Attorney-General and Minister for Economy consecutive years of growth. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum held its first online con- The Attorney-General and sultations with secondary and tertiary students Minister for Economy, Aiyaz last week. Sayed-Khaiyum, explained For 13-year-old Kelera Maiqalu of Bucalevu this to members of the pub- Secondary School this platform was an oppor- lic attending the 2019/2020 tunity for her to raise concern on why some national budget consultation parts of Taveuni was still without proper elec- held at the Sugar Cane Grow- tricity and requested if the Government could ers’ Council in Lautoka last assist in providing solar systems. weekend. In response the A-G reassured those Fijians in “It’s no use saying we Taveuni that the Government has plans to con- have achieved nine years of nect all Fijians to electricity. Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum checks Facebook comments posted by secondary and growth, we need to think of “The connections will be either through the tertiary students last week. Photo: NANISE NEIMILA new ways such as improving main grid, stand-alone grid system or through Northern Division recently, said the Govern- The A-G commended all secondary students the capacity of our people, we individual solar system.” ment has removed the contributions that used around the country who made their contribu- have already heavily invested “This will also apply to Taveuni. This year to be levied on the communities and Fijians tion during the first ever online budget consul- in the education sector,” the alone we are spending $50 million in rural elec- will benefit from this initiative. tation. A-G said. trification. So you can be assured that you’ll be “Once you register with EFL, the Government “We answered many excellent questions, con- He gave an overview of the connected to the electrical system very soon. will be able to assist you by subsidizing 50 per sidered some very innovative ideas and have economy and explained how Please do tell us which part of Taveuni you cent of your monthly electricity bill up to 100 made note of the other feedback we received. over the years the Govern- come from.” kilowatt hours, provided your combined house- We hope that all of our secondary students ment has brought about policy In the 2018/2019 Budget, the Government hold earnings are less than $30,000 a year. Ad- learned more about our budgetary process by changes to gradually reduce had allocated a total of $61.2m to connect an ditionally, you will also have the opportunity to participating.” fiscal deficit, maintain low additional 6,623 households for Grid Exten- obtain part of five per cent non-voting shares “I know we couldn’t get to all of the questions interest rate and streamlined sion and Solar home system projects. in EFL.” that were posed during this online consulta- taxation and customs admin- Meanwhile, Minister for Infrastructure, “These things have never been done before tion but you may find one of my responses an- istrative processes. Transport, Disaster Management and Meteoro- and have been introduced by the Government swered a question similar to your own. If not, The A-G also broke down the logical Services , speaking at the to assist those who have the least in our soci- feel free to email your question to: processes involved in putting commissioning of electrification projects in the ety.” [email protected].” together the national budget which for the past few years, has encompassed the input of ordinary Fijians including stu- Fiji ‘needs dents. For the last two weeks, there to maintain have been in person and on- line consultations being held growth by the Minister and the in- person consultation will con- phenomenon’ clude in Suva this weekend. PRASHILA DEVI However, all Fijians can send in their submissions un- WE need to maintain the til April 26th, 2019 while the phenomenon that almost Ministry of Economy’s per- “doubled our gross domestic manent secretary, Makereta product from $5.6 billion in 2008 Konrote and her team will to the current $11.3b.” meet with permanent secre- Attorney-General and Minister taries of other ministries from for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khai- April 1st-12th, 2019. yum said, “This is obviously a The A-G together with Econ- good phenomena to be in but the omy’s budget unit will meet trick now for us is- how do we with the permanent secretaries take advantage of it, what do we INSET: Fiji Sugar Corporation chief executive officer Graham Clarke speaks to members of the public during the 2019-2020 National Budget and the respective ministers do, what are the policy initiatives consultation at the Sugarcane Growers Council Hall in Lautoka. Photos: ISAAC LAL from May 7th-9th and from we need to put in place, what do in terms of where Fiji stood at in he explained that the manufactur- facilities available and other sur- May 27th to June 2nd where we all do to take advantage of it 1972 and in 2018. ing and service sectors contribu- geries that are not currently avail- all the budget documents will so we don’t lose momentum, we “What’s really interesting is that tion was healthy and this could be able in Fiji.” be finalised. have to be clever and strategic it took almost 38 years from 1970 grown further. He said this will not only mean On June 7th, 2019 the budget about it”. to 2008 to increase our GDP from On the service sector, the A-G that Fijians do not have to travel will be announced, one week The A-G said it was important $0.2b to $5.6b but it took only 10 highlighted how with the entrance overseas for these treatments but later it will be debated in Par- not to think about the old ways of years to double that amount,” the of Australian company Aspen also attract patients from other Pa- liament and on August 1st it doing things. A-G said. Medical Pty Limited to manage cific Island Countries. will become effective. Speaking to members of the pub- The A-G stated that there were Lautoka Hospital, other opportu- Furthermore, the A-G said this The A-G, however, clari- lic during the 2019/2020 National other positives such as the all time nities will open up. could also open doors to other op- fied that all the tariff rates Budget Consultations held at the low unemployment rate of 4.5 per “Part of the deal is that they (As- portunities such as Japan setting contained in the budget will Sugar Cane Grower’s Council hall cent with 40,000 new jobs created. pen) will build another wing of up retirement village in the coun- become effective from mid- in Lautoka last weekend, he pro- Breaking down the contribution the hospital with around 300 more try as interest had been shown in night of the day of budget an- vided a snapshot of the economy of different sectors to the GDP, beds, there will be 24/7 open heart the past in this direction. nouncement.

4 Thursday, March 14, 2019 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj 2019-2020 NATIONAL BUDGET CONSULTATIONS phone: 3301806 Fiji ‘has $2b A-G clarifies debt, in foreign reserves’ JOSAIA RALAGO civil service contracts OVERNMENT has a for- NANISE NEIMILA eign reserve of about $2 been.” to spend at least $500 million in the rebuild Gbillion, says the Attorney TTORNEY-GENERAL and Minis- “Our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), sits programme.” -General and Minister for Econo- ter for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khai- at an all-time high; we have achieved nine The A-G added as Fiji moves out of the re- my Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. Ayum participated in the first online straight years of economic growth and have building phase from Tropical Cyclone Win- “In Fiji we have very high re- 2019/2020 National Budget Consultation last positive projections for the years ahead; ston, plans were afoot to re-establish the trend serves, good healthy amount of week. we’ve decreased inflation; we’ve lowered set by the Government, prior to TC Winston, reserves, and today our reserves While responding to tertiary students, the unemployment; and we enjoy high levels of of reducing our fiscal deficits. sits at about $2billion, in 2006 the A-G clarified a few issues raised about Fiji’s foreign reserves.” The A-G also responded to other queries on foreign reserves was at $500 mil- debt level. The A-G said Fiji’s debt from the period of teacher wages and contracts. lion,” A-G said. Alumeci Kocau, a Year 13 student of Jasper 2006 until 2016 as a percentage of GDP was “Every civil servant that has a contract of He made these comments Williams High School, in Lautoka, asked the decreasing, falling from 53 per cent in 2006 to employment with the Government is paid on while making his address at the A-G on why Government gives freebies when 47 per cent in 2016. the sum stated in their contract.” 2019/2020 National Budget con- the country is buried in debts. “That trend was disrupted by the severe dev- He adds that nurses and teachers under the sultation at the Labasa Civic Cen- While responding to her question, the A-G astation of Tropical Cyclones Winston, Gita, civil service reforms have all been given pay tre earlier this month. commended comments made by students say- Keni and Josie, which required large-scale rises, some as high as 80 per cent. In explaining the importance of ing this was exactly the kind of misinforma- public spending to address.” They also now have periodic reviews of their foreign reserves, the said almost tion that was being spread. “As a result, our debt as a percentage of GDP performance to reward them and recognize all of the products Fijians use on “Fiji is not buried in debts. In fact, the Fi- was 50 per cent in 2018, but that is still below them if they perform beyond what is required a daily basis were imported from jian economy today is the strongest it has ever our debt levels in 2006. We, of course, had of them. other countries. “When we buy these things, they come from Japan, , New Zealand, America, Europe and other countries,” he said. “And they do not sell it to us in Fijian dollars, they sell it to us in American dollars, Japanese Yen, Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars, etc. So in order for us to trade with them, we need foreign currency.” “If we do not have enough for- eign currency then we cannot trade with them, we cannot buy these things.” A-G added that the inflation rate in the country has gone up to about 4.9 per cent. “Inflation is a cost of buying things, and this has gone up to about 4.9 per cent. One of the rea- sons is because fuel price has gone up,” A-G explained. “We don’t control the price of fuel as all the fuel in Fiji comes from overseas, whatever price they sell at, we have to buy at that price, but we price control it,” he said. Northerners were able to make Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum speaks to members of the public during the 2019/2020 National Budget Consultation at Labasa Civic Centre submissions and highlighted their earlier this month. Photo: JOSAIA RALAGO issues during the consultation. Bus fare scheme helps 90,000 students

NANISE NEIMILA tion held in Suva. tronic value to travel on public Meanwhile, the Ministry of “It is important for the regulat- buses. Education has successfully LOSE to 90,000 Fijian ing authorities- the Ministry of The Ministry of Education topped up approximately 80,000 students have been as- Education, Heritage and Arts to has been tasked to facilitate the Government subsidized student Csisted under the Govern- update all information to avoid registration and distribution of e-transport cards (blue cards) ment’s free-bus fare scheme. abuse. eTransport cards for all primary which are now eligible for Since its inception in 2017, pas- “E-transport is a Government and secondary school students redemption ahead of the start of sengers on public buses are no regulated fare payment system “Students will not be required Term 1. E-transport is a government longer allowed to pay their bus that now requires the travel- to go and register for their cards To access the funds all students regulated fare payment fare using cash. ling public to pay their bus fare at public locations as their cards carrying blue eTransport cards system that now requires Cash fare has been completely through an electronic means.” will be delivered to the schools.” simply need to get the balance the travelling public to pay replaced by electronic ticketing However, the A-G said the Government in partnership with loaded onto their cards using the system using the eTransport card. Ministry of Education and Voda- Vodafone Fiji will facilitate the redeem function on any e-ticket- their bus fare through an This was highlighted by the At- fone Fiji are working together to replacement of cards if students ing machine. electronic means. torney-General and Minister for streamline the process. lose their cards. Students can visit any Vodafone/ Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum He added that all passengers Similar to those beneficiaries of Valuefone and Mr Mobile outlets while responding to Year 13 stu- travelling on public buses needed the Ministry of Women, Children or district education offices. dent Manshika Reddy of Ba Sana- to register for an eTransport card and Poverty Alleviation, if they For questions and queries, mem- Attorney-General and tan College during the 2019/2020 available at no cost and have lose their card Vodafone actually bers of the public can call the Minister for Economy National online budget consulta- these cards pre-loaded with elec- replaces it free of cost. Ministry’s toll-free line on 163. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum

Thursday, March 14, 2019 5 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj NATIONAL MATTERS phone: 3301806 President Tree sounds NCDs warning SOLO LEWANAVANUA planting HE President Major- General (Ret’d) Jioji TKonrote has urged the people of Rotuma to change their lifestyle. exercise President Konrote, who re- cently concluded eight day tour of his island home in Rotuma, has expressed his concern on the unhealthy a success lifestyle that was the cause of non communicable diseases (NCDs) amongst Fijians. SOLO LEWANAVANUA that he visited was Christ the King Primary School where 30 trees HE President Major-Gen- were planted. eral (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote “Although the vegetation of Tsuccessfully completed his Rotuma is very green it does not main mission of touring his home mean that climate change is not island of Rotuma by planting 60 affecting us.” Sadly, the Fijian trees on the island with his team. “Recent tidal waves saw sea wa- Government spends close President Konrote’s first engage- ters flooding the main land and to $406m annually for NCD ment after disembarking from the there has been visible soil erosion related ailments in Fiji. Fiji Airways plane was to plant 10 and coral bleaching. These are the This money could be better dilo trees on Rotuma Primary and effects of climate change,” Presi- spent elsewhere such as Rotuma High School compound dent Konrote said. building new roads assisted by his team. Retired Secondary School teach- and infrastructure, The Head of State emphasised Fi- er John Tami thanked the Presi- new schools and ji’s initiative in aiming at planting dent for leading by example in four million trees in four years. He planting trees on Christ the King hospitals. also spoke to the students on the Primary School in Sumi on Ro- Jioji Konrote sustainable management of forest tuma. in the country. “Sir, thank you for making us President Konrote then visited aware of the negative impacts of “Sadly, the Fijian Govern- Motusa Primary School where- climate change on Rotuma. We ment spends close to $406m by he and his team planted dilo, can see coastal erosions accelerat- annually for NCD related mahogany and vutu trees in the ing. We can feel the temperature ailments in Fiji. This money President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote and students of Christ the King Primary school school compound. increasing and our coral seems to plant dilo trees around the school compound in Rotuma. Photo: SOLO LEWANAVANUA could be better spent else- The fourth school on the island be bleaching,” Mr Tami said. where such as building new roads and infrastructure, new schools and hospitals,” he said. Praise “I would like to talk to you on the need for us to maintain for airport a healthy lifestyle. Fiji has an abundance of resources where we can grow healthy development food. We need to change our SOLO LEWANAVANUA habits by eating the right food, exercising daily and HE President Major-General (Ret’d) going to sleep on time,” Pres- Jioji Konrote reiterated in all the events ident Konrote said. Theld during his eight day visit to Rotuma “As the Head of State and last week on how glad he was about the newly Chief Advocate in the fight renovated Rotuma Airport. against non communicable “I am very impressed with the airport. Prime disease, I would like to see a Minister (Voreqe Bainimarama) came to open healthy Fiji. My vision is to the airport last year.” have a country where people “It displays a new modern look and provides are not plagued with NCDs. for the bigger ATR 72 Fiji Airways plane to be A healthy nation is a produc- serving Rotuma once a week which will boost tive nation.” the economy of the island,” President Konrote Motusa Primary School noted. board member Onisimo “On top of that we are also glad that the dura- Managreve thanked Presi- tion of the flight has been shortened and the air- dent Konrote for his words of fare has come down which is plus for everyone. wisdom to the students and “I would like to say how pleased I am to fly parents of the school. all the way from Nadi within one hour and 30 “Your message will be our minutes and we landed on the newly renovated guidance as we pursue living Rotuma Airport,” President Konrote said. a healthy life and protecting “I am sure for those of you who are familiar our environment in the fight with the sea voyage, it’s not very nice to travel against climate change,” Mr President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote is greeted by Rotuma Airport staff upon his arrival for his 8-day visit on to Rotuma when the sea is rough.” Rotuma Island. Photo: SOLO LEWANAVANUA Managreve said. “We should be thankful as the island commu- “We pray that our heavenly nity has taken a few years to get that done. For became a Minister. And we thank the good lord boost the economy of the remote island and father will pour out his bless- your information I was very actively involved because all the heart ache has come to fruition.” provides opportunities to create more potential ings in your official duty as when I was advisor to the council and when I The newly-renovated Rotuma Airport will in the area of tourism in the future. the Head of State of our na- tion.” 6 Thursday, March 14, 2019 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj phone: 3301806 Climate change, rights top priorities for UN council

MARICA CAUCAU mate change.” ity.” “I think what is most important Another area of priority for Fiji HE issue of climate change from the point of view of the pub- that was highlighted by Ambassador and human rights is one of lic is if we are responding to climate Khan is the issue and the relation- Tthe priority areas for Fiji as change in both our mitigation and ship between gender empowerment a member of the Human Rights adaptation efforts is that we cannot and culture. Council. do this effectively unless we involve “Now we know as women in the This was highlighted by Fiji’s Per- people.” society that often the barriers to our manent Representative to the United Ambassador Khan added that lead- advancement come from cultural Nations in Geneva, Ambassador ers in the climate negotiations previ- values, which is the case in every Nazhat Shameem Khan in an inter- ously did not engage people in their country in the world but for Fiji and view. deliberations on this pertinent issue. the Pacific it is our traditional val- “Climate change and human rights “If you don’t engage people noth- ues. We value them and they iden- has not always been a popular topic ing will change. Ultimately society tify who we are but at the same time and many countries have other pri- changes because people believe in they must not be the chains that hold orities but for the Pacific this has got a cause and so Fiji is very commit- us back from individual progress,” to be our most important priority,” ted to this cause, putting people in she said. Ambassador Khan said. the centre and making sure that any “How we balance cultural values “We are developing this conver- decisions made by governments is with individual power as well, this sation, we certainly integrated our carried out through an inclusive and is a very important conversation for work at COP23 (23rd session of participatory process,” she said. the Pacific and for the Fijian people Conference of Parties) with the con- “This is the priority for Fiji for now especially the women.” FROM LEFT: First Secretary Vueti May, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the versation in Geneva on the relation- and in the future and we hope to Fiji was elected as vice-president to United Nation Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan, Prime Minister Voreqe ship between human rights and cli- continue to develop that as a prior- the Human Rights Council last year. Bainimarama and Second Secretary Robyn-Ann Mani at the High Level Segment of Human Rrights Council in Geneva. 4 million trees initiative reaches Tailevu province ERONI VALILI

INISTER of Forestry recently Mvisited nine villages in the Tailevu Province taking the ‘four million trees in four years initiative’. The visit was a successful one as questions posed by the villagers were answered by Minister Naiqa- mu in relation to afforestation and the advantages of the initiative. Villagers were also happy with Minister for Forestry Osea Naiqamu with iTaukei Affairs Board staff, Fiji Develolpment Bank (FDB), officers the consultation as other repre- and Silana villagers at the signing of memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the FDB, the iTaukei Affairs Board and the Ministry of Forestry in the planting of 250 sandalwood trees in Silana Primary School sentatives from iTaukei Lands compound. INSET: Silana men plant sandalwood trees along the school compound in Silana Villagee, Tailevu. Trust Board (TLTB) were present Photos: ERONI VALILI to clarify issues pertaining to free- hold land, crown lease and other land issues. Divisional Forestry Officer Cen- tral/Eastern Apisai Rinamalo MOU ‘a blessing’ for stressed the importance of work- ing together as a land owning unit when venturing into the “four Mil- lion Trees in four years Initiative”. Minister Naiqamu encouraged the men and women of Tailevu to villagers: Rokotuivuna plant sandalwood on their vacant land because it is one of the best SOLO LEWANAVANUA “The biblical quote that says God help those caka told the people of Silana Village that investments for their children and who help themselves is a reality today for my FDB was happy to be part of the new devel- grandchildren. I consider these developments being village,” Mr Rokotuivuna said. opment. “Most of us find it hard to save poured onto my village of Silana to be a “I think the reason Silana Village was chosen “This is like a new dawn for FDB trying on a money because of our financial “huge blessing.” for this development is because we’ve been new product as we used to be known only for commitment. However, I am en- This was the sentiments expressed by the taking the first step. We’ve been planting giving out loans. This is something new and couraging you to invest in plant- Dawasamu District Representative or Mata trees every Saturday as part of our Tropical we are happy to take part in this development ing sandalwood for the benefit of ni Tikina Sanaila Rokotuivuna. Cyclone Winston afforestation programme. on Silana Village. We know there are many your children and grandchildren,” “It is a blessing that from all the villages in Every Saturday youths from our village go up better things to come as we fight the effects of he said. the Central Division, my village Silana was the hills and plant trees in areas destroyed by climate change,” Mr Cakacaka said. The culmination of the tour was chosen for this development. TC Winston.” Even Minister Naiqamu was very optimistic in Silana village in Dawasamu A memorandum of understanding (MOU) “Before all these events I attended a work- while launching the development on Silana as the Fiji Development Bank in was signed between the Fiji Development shop in South Korea on the theme “Moving Village. partnership with the Government Bank (FDB), the iTaukei Affairs Board and New Villages” whereby working together as “I am so happy to say that we have more and the iTaukei Affairs Board the Ministry of Forestry. a community was encouraged.” helping hands in Fiji supporting the Govern- launched the “4 Million Trees in 4 Minister for Forestry Osea Naiqamu was ac- “Today as you can see all those trees have ment initiative to plant four million trees in years initiative. companied by FDB chief executive officer, sprouted and are making our village look four years. Thank you very much for the extra FDB is the first financial institu- Mark Clough and the iTaukei Affairs Board green and healthy,” Mr Rokotuivuna said. hands that will help the people of Fiji. Silana tion to partner with the Ministry representatives in the planting of 250 san- “We know that there will be more good Village will be a healthier place to live in the of Forestry to support its four mil- dalwood trees in the Silana Primary School things to come.” future with its sustainable management of its lion trees in four years initiative compound. FDB’s manager risk services Nafitalai Caka- environment. launched earlier this year.

Thursday, March 14, 2019 7 NATIONAL MATTERS email: [email protected]; l @FijiRepublic; l Fijian Government; l visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj l phone: 3301806 NATIONAL MATTERS President Konrote tours Rotuma President, Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote and the First Lady Sarote Konrote ended their 8 day- tour of Rotuma last week. President Konrote and his entourage planted a total of 60 trees on four schools on this remote island. This was part of Government initiative to plant four million trees in four years. Women’s role evolving, President Konrote also visited senior citizens of the island and says Minister Vuniwaqa met with RFMF engineers who are currently building the Rotuma Fijian women have made great strides towards Hospital. innovation and change through the evolvement of their He also met with the Rotuma roles, says Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Island Council who prepared a Alleviation . special ceremony as a token of Minister Vuniwaqa was speaking at International appreciation for being the most Women’s Day celebrations hosted by the ministry at the distinguished Rotuman to hold Novotel Suva Lami Bay last week and said women had such a high office in the country. expanded their roles beyond the comforts of their own homes and potentials. Photos: SOLO LEWANAVANUA “They (women) contribute significantly to our progress at the home front, within the communities and at both the national and international levels. They certainly deserve our nation’s collective support,” she said. Minister Vuniwaqa said Fijian women were stepping into non-conventional roles as women solar engineers, carpenters and electricians. Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Mrs. Premila Kumar launched the International Women’s Day with the theme: “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change.” The event was attended by Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and stakeholders. Photos: EMI KOROITANOA

12K worth of equipment for returned servicemen Minister China has been thanked for and service to Fiji saying that donating $12,000 worth of office the handing over was just the praises social equipment to the Returned Soldiers beginning of a fruitful relationship & Ex Servicemen Association of Fiji. between the two countries. The equipment was provided RSESA president Ratu Peni innovation after a request was made by the Volavola said the equipment would Ministry of Defence and included be used in the organisation’s day- programmes computers, printers and a to-day operations and meeting the photocopy machine. needs of its 4000 members. Achieving a gender-equal world Speaking at the handover at the Minister for Defence, National requires social innovations that work RSESA headquarters at Walu Bay, Security and Foreign Affairs Inia for women and men and leaves no Suva, China’s Ambassador to Seruiratu received the equipment one behind. Fiji, Qian Bo, acknowledged the on behalf of the RSESA.”. The Minister for Women, Children organisation for its commitment Photos: ERONI VALILI and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa, made the comment while officiating at the Makoi Vocational Centre graduation last week said the celebration was a great example of a social innovation. “A solution explored by an institute such as the Fiji Muslim League aimed to transform the lives of Fijian women with little or no formal education,” Minister Vuniwaqa said. “The continually evolving programmes of the Makoi Vocational Centre can accelerate impact. This institute deserves to stand very proud today.”

Photos: EMI KOROITANOA

8 Thursday, March 14, 2019 9 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj WEST DEVELOPMENT phone: 3301806 $1.3m river project completed LITIA VULAIDAUSIGA “One of the main issues of the Nakau- renew business interests in the town and people and businesses in Rakiraki Town: vadra creek was it had an elevated river vicinity. arrest flooding issues and give a sense of AJOR flood rehabilitation bed, largely due to sedimentation. These With improved flow rates, the discharge security and safety to the businesses in the works have been completed in sediments had to be removed to increase capacity of the channel has been boosted town center, increase economic activity in MRakiraki with the finalizing of the discharge capacity of the river. following the project and has allowed the province, and we expect to see an in- the Nakauvadra River Channel Improve- The total length of debris and re-section flood waters to remain in the channel. crease in property values along the areas. ment Works. works was 3.5 kilometres, 1.9 kilometres “It is important that when we talk about There is renewed confidence for further At a cost of $1.3 million, the flow rate of upstream of the town bridge and 2.5 kilo- rivers and creeks, we need to understand investment.” the creek has drastically improved for Ra metres downstream.” that these rivers and creeks are dynamic. Plans are in place to rehabilitate the Province’s main business centre. Minister Reddy noted that the catchment Given its dynamic nature, we need to riverbanks using vetiver technology to “The works including cleaning and area of the creek drains was 47.4 kilome- ensure that we are mindful of our activities help stabilize them and minimize sediment disposal of debris, mainly tree trunks tres and that given the catchment relief, along the river banks so that these rivers flow into the river, with the Ministry of at approximately 16 places along the there was short lag time for high-intensity and creeks have enough room to discharge Waterways and Environment to further lower reaches of the Nakauvadra River rainfall events in the catchments. maximum water.” de-silt 500 meters upstream of the current and re-sectioning of the river channel,” The project was put to the test during As Minister Reddy noted, the benefits of completion works above Rakiraki town. noted Minister for Agriculture, Rural and peak flows on February 6, 2019 and noted the project are many. The Ministry will also dredge the Nasivi Maritime Development, Waterways and positive outcomes, with Minister Reddy “The river channel improvement works River. Environment Dr . noting that he hoped it would further will accrue the following benefits to the Defence exchange for Fiji, Japan LITIA VULAIDAUSIGA ed by the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) HE inaugural visit of “In August this year, our de- the Japanese Air Force’s fence exchange and cooperation TC2 Transport Aircraft in with Fiji will be further strength- Nadi has kick started defence ened by the Japan Maritime SDF exchange and cooperation be- through its maritime exercise tween Fiji and Japan, with sev- navigation port visit program,” eral programs to be carried out he said. this year. “This includes two Japanese Students from Nadi Special SDF vessels calling on the Port School were given a tour of the of Suva with 600 officers on- aircraft, whose crew were re- board, including 200 young new- ceived by Republic of the Fiji ly graduated cadets. The purpose Military Forces Chief of Staff, of this port visit is promoting Captain (Navy) John Fox and amity and friendship with Fiji.” Japan’s Ambassador to Fiji, Ma- Captain Fox welcomed the ex- sahiro Omura. change and its opportunities to Mr Omura confirmed that this build capacity. month, a team of Japanese ex- The visit by the C2 Transport perts will also be in the country Aircraft comes under the auspic- to carry out a survey on areas of es of Japan’s National Defence capacity building support that Program Guidelines for Fiji and Japanese Ambassador to Fiji Masahiro Omura, Fijian Navy Commander, Captain (Navy) Humphrey Tawake and Republic of Fiji Military could potentially be conduct- Pacific Island countries. Forces (RFMF) Chief of Staff, Captain (Navy) John Fox with Nadi Special School students and teacher and the aircraft crew. Photo: LITIA VULAIDAUSIGA Minister seeks changes to town festivals

LITIA VULAIDAUSIGA the welfare of queen and king contestants had to be prioritised. HANGES will be imple- She said the public had a right mented to foster better to transparency and urged festival Ctransparency of festivals organisers to also be more crea- conducted by municipal councils tive and innovative, and include around the country, following a wider section of the community the Township Festival Meeting to exhibit their talents at festi- in Nadi. vals, such as craft makers. While opening the meeting, “It’s absolutely crucial that Minister for Local Government, every city and town promote Housing and Community Devel- their city and town through opment Premila Kumar called for organizing community programs regulations on how festivals were and that way you are bonding managed and the exhibitions and people together, creating a sense activities on offer, noting that it of belonging to a place, attracting was also necessary for new talent other communities from other to join organizing committees. cities and towns and are attract- “They have to disclose how ing businesses, investors and much money was collected, how tourists.” Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations and Youth and Sports Parveen Kumar with contestants during the Tebara that money will be used and the Festival last year. The Minister said guidelines only way we can do it is through framework, it’s a policy which nism will be clearly stated and The Minister noted that the se- were necessary to oversee food the Local Government Act, is being placed on the table for each and every committee that lection criteria for queen contest- security, games, amusement rides where we can introduce a regula- discussion. But later on we want organizes festivals should be ants also had to be streamlined to and general Occupational Health tion,” she said. to convert that into a regulation able to disclose it to the public, match the criteria from the Miss and Safety. “At the moment it’s just a where the accountability mecha- particularly public events.” Pacific Island Pageant and that

10 Thursday, March 14, 2019 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj phone: 3301806 NORTH DEVELOPMENT Water project $224m investment brings joy to villagers JOSAIA RALAGO

T was a day to remember for in energy sector the people of Nakavika Vil- per cent of our energy from Ilage in Seaqaqa when their JOSAIA RALAGO clean, renewable sources by water project was commissioned 2036,” Minister Usamate by the Minister for Infrastructure HE Government has said. and Transport Jone Usamate re- invested $224 mil- “I know that previously cently. Tlion towards the en- many in our communities Located in the interior of Macu- ergy sector over the past five were relying on diesel gen- ata, the villagers have always re- years. erators. I know how stressful lied on the nearby river for their This was announced by the that can be. daily water needs. Minister for Infrastructure, “Generators alone cannot One of the mothers in the vil- Transport, Disaster Manage- bear the energy demands of lage, Mereoni Cagimaivuna said ment and Meteorological an entire community, they are ever since she could remember, it Services Jone Usamate said not reliable and they can end was their duty to fetch water from that 70 per cent of this had up being very expensive.” the river at least twice a day. gone directly towards rural He said it was very impor- “It was never an easy task, electrification. tant that communities were sometimes the buckets broke or “Over 25,000 households connected to the national grid we slipped, because the load was have felt the benefits of that which brings a new level of too heavy. Water is a necessity so development. But we’re not reliability. we had to carry out this duty tire- resting on our laurels, in our “It brings cleaner power that lessly for years,” Mrs Cagimaivu- most recent budget, we have is much less harmful to the na said. set aside an additional $60 environment and the air we The 50-year-old said since their million to add another 6,623 breathe,” Minister Usamate water source was not safe, villag- households to that number,” said. ers were sometimes plagued with Minister Usamate said. The Minister commissioned water borne diseases. He applauded the work be- a number of electrification It is this same river that they ing done by the Electricity projects in the North during have to cross every day to get to Fiji Limited for bringing reli- his recent visit in areas such work, school or to town. able electric power to a his- as Dreketi, Balaga and Vuni- “The commissioning of our wa- toric number of Fijians. manuca. ter project is a new lease of life “EFL is spearheading one of This will enable families to for us. This ensures that we have our most important commit- have access to electricity 24 safe, consistent and efficient wa- ments to securing a sustain- hours a day, thereby ensuring ter supply every day,” an ecstatic able future, by lighting the that students can study in the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Disaster Management and Metereological Services Mrs Cagimaivuna said. way forward in our nation- evenings and the nights are Jone Usamate and Assistant Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Disaster Management and Minister Usamate, while speak- wide shift to generate 100 much brighter. Metereological Services at the commissioning of the extension grid at Dreketi during his ing at the commissioning, said it recent tour to the North. Photo: JOSAIA RALAGO was the sacred duty and responsi- bility of the Government to work towards universal access to clean drinking water. “The Government through the Water Authority of Fiji, in prior- itizing access to clean and safe water, has set aside in this current financial year a total of $27 mil- lion for water schemes in rural areas in Fiji,” he said. “I believe that access to clean water for our people is absolutely fundamental to our future devel- opment and for the prosperity of the people.”

JOSAIA RALAGO

EVENTY-EIGHT per cent of Fiji’s population have Saccess to clean water and around 71 per cent have access 78pc of Fijians ‘have The Government through to improved sanitation. This was highlighted by the the Water Authority of Fiji, Minister for Infrastructure, access to clean water’ in prioritizing access to Transport, Disaster Management clean and safe water, has and Meteorological Services Mereani Cagimaivuna of Nakavika Village drinks fresh water after the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Disaster Management and Meteorological Services Jone Usamate commissioned their village water project in Macuata. Photo: JOSAIA RALAGO set aside in this current Jone Usamate, who said that this was in line with the Govern- sanitation facilities,” Minister have access to clean and safe wa- Fijian women are the ones travel- financial year a total of ment’s commitment for every Fi- Usamate said. ter whenever they want it and in ling to sources of water and who $27 million for water jian to have access to safe drink- “Every Fijian deserves to live whatever quantity. are carrying the heavy loads of schemes in rural areas in ing water by 2030. with the security and happiness “We all know that often, Fijian water for washing, cooking and Fiji. “One of the many rights and that only water can provide; wa- women bear the brunt of labour cleaning. protections enshrined in our Con- ter that can be used for drinking, in providing clean water for their “I believe that access to clean Jone Usamate stitution is the right for every Fi- cooking, washing and keeping families and communities,” Min- water is absolutely fundamental Minister for Infrastructure, jian to clean and adequate quan- ourselves clean.” ister Usamate said. to our future and for the prosper- Transport, Disaster Management tities; and accessible, adequate He said every family should “In the vast majority of cases, ity of our people.” and Meteorological Services

Thursday, March 14, 2019 11 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj NATIONAL MATTERS phone: 3301806 New express centre to improve service delivery

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Jone Usamate unveils the plaque for the new Water Authority of Fiji’s (WAF) Suva Express Centre. Photo: EMI KOROITANOA PRASHILA DEVI

HE Water Authority of Fiji’s customer service Minister of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa (second from left) and other women’s representatives mark International Women’s Day at Novotel Suva Lami Bay. Photo: EMI KOROITANOA Tdelivery towards attend- ing to complaints has received an 85 per cent satisfaction rate, says Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Jone Usamate. To this end, Minister Usamate Vuniwaqa pays tribute highlighted that out of the overall operations budget of $102 mil- lion, WAF has allocated a total of $8.5m to ensure maximum customer service delivery. to Fijian women As he opened the new WAF Suva Express Centre housed in the Post PRASHILA DEVI collective support.” munities and villages. Another Government Fiji building recently, he said the Minister Vuniwaqa, speaking at the Min- initiative that has given a great platform authority was tasked with provid- S the nation marked International istry’s International Women’s Day Celebra- to women to market their products was ing access to quality drinking Women’s Day with the theme tion held at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay last launched during the celebrations as Minister water and waste water services A“Think Equal, Build Smart, In- week, said women have expanded their roles Vuniwaqa announced the 5th Fiji National to over 144,000 residential and novate for Change” Minister for Women, beyond the comforts of their own homes and Women’s Expo, which is scheduled on June non-residential metered customers Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini potentials. 12-14, 2019 at the FMF National Gymna- residing in urban areas and also Vuniwaqa note that Fijian women have made This has seen Fijian women stepping into sium with the same theme as IWD. setting up water supply systems great strides. non-conventional roles as women solar engi- “The event is expected to showcase 500 in rural schemes, reaching over “Our Fijian women have stridden many neers, carpenters and electricians. women artisans from all over Fiji which 700,000 people nationwide. yards ahead towards innovation and change Minister Vuniwaqa said with Fiji’s Barefoot entails the 176 licensed artisans along with “In light of this, customer ser- through the evolving roles of women,” Min- College- the first of its kind in the Pacific, the emerging 324 artisans.” vices is an everyday challenge for ister Vuniwaqa said. it is envisaged “to be a life changing pro- “As we aim to keep improving the standard the authority as it ensures that the “They contribute significantly to our pro- ject that will greatly elevate status of rural of the Expo, this year we have commenced provision of assistance, advice gress at the home front, within the communi- women”. work to put together a training package for and services to the people are ties and at both the national and international These women, she said, will be agents of our licensed women and for the 20 designers delivered in an effective, efficient levels. They certainly deserve our nation’s sustainable energy in their respective com- for the Fiji Rural Women’s Fashion Show.” and timely manner,” Minister Usamate said. To gauge its effectiveness WAF in 2018 conducted a survey on $12K worth of equipment customer satisfaction. Minister Usamate said this survey showed for ex-servicemen that of the 11 per cent of the surveyed population, 85 per cent INISTER for Defence, countries. were satisfied with response to National Security and “What we have witnessed here to- customer complaints. MForeign Affairs Inia day is just the beginning of many He also laid out Government’s Seruiratu recently handed over more to come,” he said. vision in terms of meeting the $12,000 worth of new office equip- Minister Seruiratu, who received basic need of every Fijian which ment to Returned Soldiers & Ex the items on behalf of the Returned was aligned to the Five Year and Servicemen of Fiji. Soldiers & Ex Servicemen of Fiji, 20 Year National Development The equipment was provided thanked the Chinese Government. Plans. through assistance by the People’s Organisation President, Ratu Peni “The Government’s vision is to Republic of China after a request was Volavola said they had made a re- provide 100 per cent access to made by the Ministry of Defence. quest to the Ministry for the equip- clean and safe drinking water by China’s Ambassador to Fiji, Qian ment which will be used in the day 2021. Approximately 78 per cent Bo was present as Minister Seruira- to day operations and will attend to of Fiji’s population currently has tu handed over computers, printers meeting the needs of around 4000 of access to a treated and reticulated and a photocopy machine worth its members. water supply; whilst 98 per cent $12,000 to the Returned Soldiers & Ratu Peni said they were happy in the urban centres has access to Ex Servicemen of Fiji Headquarters that the Chinese Embassy through safe drinking water.” at Walu Bay, Suva. the Ministry could assist them. The new office, which will be Mr Qian acknowledged the organi- “The Chinese Ambassador, who open from 7am to 6pm on week- sation for their commitment and was here during the handover, was days, will accommodate a total of service to Fiji saying that the hand- very appreciative of the work we do 15 customers at time and who will Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu (right) ing over was just the beginning of a here,” he said. with China’s Ambassador to Fiji, Qian Bo, at the handing over of new office be served by the three customer fruitful relationship between the two [email protected] equipment to the Returned Soldiers & Ex Servicemen’s Association of Fiji. service representatives or agents. Photo: ERONI VALILI

12 Thursday, March 14, 2019 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj phone: 3301806 NATIONAL MATTERS Water seal toilets timely for villagers

WELVE families in Waidracia Village, TNaitasiri, recently benefitted from the Govern- ment’s assistance to acquire water seal toilets. This follows quick action by the Ministry of Health fol- lowing the discovery of ty- Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa ( fourth from left), with Fiji Women’s Fund (FWF) staff during the launch of their annual progress report at phoid cases in the village. Holiday Inn Suva. Photo: EMI KOROITANOA The completion of the pro- ject is a milestone achieve- ment in raising the sanitation standard of the village and is anticipated to significantly $482K to finance reduce the risk of the trans- mission of communicable diseases. young women’s project EMI KOROITANOA young women advocates. opportunities and Improving “As part of creating trans- women’s participation in leaders must read HE Fiji Women’s Right formative change whether it be and decision making,” she said. Movement (FWRM) re- at personal level, community Minister Vuniwaqa said; “The I also like to Tceived the highest grant level, family level and getting fund is extremely important es- value from the Fiji Women’s them the opportunity to engage pecially given their commitment acknowledge the Fund totaling AU$320,000 in policy-level decision making. of AU$10.5 million (FJ$15.8m) support of the Naitasiri (FJ$482,068). Minister for Women, Children from 2017 to 2022 for funding Provincial Office FWRM programme director and Poverty Alleviation Mer- and capacity development sup- and the office of the Kaushal Sharma said the fund- eseini Vuniwaqa said the fund port to women’s groups, net- Fiji Women’s Provincial Administrator ing would help finance their supports activities across each works, and organizations in Fiji Right Movement Young Feminist Rise project. of four thematic areas. to expand and enhance their Naitasiri in assisting “This is a three-year project,” “Namely Eliminating Violence work on women’s empower- the Ministry to Received the highest grant Ms Sharma said. Against Women, Strengthening ment and gender equality.” value from the Fiji Women’s combat the spread She said FWRM in the three- women’s groups and coalitions Minister Vuniwaqa officiated Fund totaling AU$320,000 year duration of the project, for change, Empowering wom- at the event which was held at of typhoid fever in (FJ$482,068). the village. would be taking a cohort of en through increased economic Holiday Inn Suva recently.

Dr Minister for Health and Medical Services Training gives Lal a second chance Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi EMI KOROITANOA Waqainabete while visiting the village recently, acknowl- WHEN things don’t go right, go left.” edged and thanked the vil- This is exactly what Kirti Lal did when she entered the Makoi lagers for working collabora- “Vocational Training centre after dropping out of high school. tively in the construction of The 19-year old dropped out of high school due to certain circum- the water seal toilets. stances in her life. “I thank the village for work- Today, she is the youngest amongst a total of 50 graduates from the ing together with the Ministry Makoi Vocational Training centre, where she graduated from a pro- in successfully implementing gramme in Hydroponics. the project,” Dr Waqainabete “Now I will try to start my own hydroponic business,” Ms Lal said. said. Initially Ms Lal had no prior knowledge regarding hydroponics, say- “I also like to acknowledge ing that for her it was something completely unheard of. the support of the Naitasiri Hydroponics deals with the method of growing plants without soil by Provincial Office and the of- using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent fice of the Provincial Admin- Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini istrator Naitasiri in assisting Vuniwaqa, who officiated at the event held at the Makoi Vocational the Ministry to combat the Training Center, highlighted how vocational programme inculcate spread of typhoid fever in the skills that help these women to transform lives. village”. Minister Vuniwaqa said achieving a gender-equal world requires in- Jiuta Ranubu, one of the novations that work for both women and men and leave no one behind. beneficiaries, expressed his “What we are celebrating today is a great example of social innovation, appreciation to the Ministry a solution explored by an institute like the Fiji Muslim League,”she for the timely support as they said. now have access to better She said it was one aimed to transform the lives of Fijian women with sanitation. little or no formal education. “I am very happy that I was There were three batches of graduates, each batch graduated from a one of the recipients of this different programme. This included cooking, sewing and hydroponics. initiative and I am really thankful to the Ministry,” Mr Ranubu said. [email protected] Kirti Lal after she received her certificate during the graduation at Makoi Vocational Training Centre in Nasinu. Photo: EMI KOROITANOA

Thursday, March 14, 2019 13 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj NATIONAL MATTERS phone: 3301806 New leave provisions now in force NANISE NEIMILA

HE Government has introduced new leave provisions for any em- Tployer including Family Care Leave and Parental Leave. This has been done through the Employ- ment Regulations (Budget Amendment) Act 2018. Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Parveen Kumar said these leave entitlements are covered under the Employment Regulations Act 2007 and the ER (Budget Amendment) 2018: ERA 2007. “The following leave entitlements existed since 2007 and this includes Annual Leave; Sick Leave; Bereavement Leave and Ma- ternity Leave. However, with the new leave Fijians have been guaranteed basic rights under the Fijian Constitution that is drawn from internationally recognised human rights norms and principles such as the Universal Declaration for Human Rights. Photo: ISAAC LAL provisions all employers of any organisa- tion are entitled to Parental Leave and this includes Maternity and Paternity Leave. “For Maternity Leave, this is taken by a woman employed in a workplace who is Constitution ‘guarantees expected to give birth and the worker is entitled to 98 consecutive days’ maternity leave under the ER (Budget Amendment) Act 2018 effective from 01 January, 2019.” rights for all Fijians’ “Births of children as of 31 December, 2018 are entitled to the initial 84 consecu- NANISE NEIMILA tive days (including weekends) this means Fijian. full pay entitlements for the first three IJIANS have been guaranteed basic “We’re giving life to that recognition births, half pay entitlement from 4th birth rights under the Fijian Constitution through a nationwide effort and appeal to and thereafter, cannot be demoted upon re- Fthat is drawn from internationally the realisation of socioeconomic rights, in sumption of duties after maternity leave.” recognized human rights norms and prin- a very practical manner. Minister Kumar adds the worker must ciples such as the Universal Declaration Ashwin Raj “Our targeted investment in the growth provide to her employer a certificate from a for Human Rights. We’ve poured of social wages has lifted generational bur- registered medical practitioner or registered These rights are guaranteed by law which dens from the backs of our people, freeing nurse specifying the possible date of birth. means that the state and all private actors additional funding into education, them to pursue enterprise, build commu- Paternity leave is applicable for any work- within the state are legally obligated to now a well-funded sector in nity and invest in their own futures.” er who must be a man whose partner is en- protect and promote fundamental human Government, as well as healthcare, “Through our national budgets, we have titled to maternity leave. rights and freedoms in both public and pri- equal justice, adequate food, set aside record funding towards shielding Any worker for that matter must complete vate spheres of life. and uplifting the vulnerable in our society, the first three months of continuous em- Director for Human Rights and Anti-Dis- clean water, decent housing including women, children and Fijians liv- ployment with the same employer to be en- crimination Commission Ashwin Raj said and other fundamental rights ing with disabilities.” titled to this new leave provisions. the State is legally obligated to take posi- for human progress and PM Bainimarama stressed that the Fi- “For those employers, they are entitled to tive steps in facilitating the fundamental dignity. jian Government is ensuring that justice be paid paternity leave for a period of not human rights and freedoms of every Fijian. is brought to all Fijians through the vast less than 5 working days of each year of “The Fijian Constitution provides for the expanding legal aid services. service or they are primary caregiver for his establishment of a national human rights Ashwin Raj “Our network of legal aid offices provides child” institution. Recognizing the centrality of Director for Human Rights and offer free legal services to low-income in- “The worker must produce to the employer the principles of equality and non-discrim- Anti-Discrimination Commission dividuals and families.” a certificate from a registered nurse specify- ination, the Fijian Constitution provides to a person’s right and this comes with re- “A few years ago the Fijian Government ing the possible date of birth of his child.” for the establishment of the Human Rights sponsibilities. only allocated a few hundred thousand Family Care Leave is taken by a worker and Anti-discrimination Commission.” “Some rights and freedoms have limita- dollars a year to increase access to legal who wishes to provide care and support to “The Commission is working to support tions determined by law solely for the pur- aid, now it is funded to the tune of ten mil- members of his/her immediate family or a everyone in Fiji to enjoy equality before pose of securing the due recognition and lion dollars annually.” member of the workers household. the law both in principle and practice.” respect for the rights and freedoms of oth- “We’ve poured additional funding into A household-means the occupants of a Mr Raj adds that human rights, however, ers as well meeting the just requirements education, now a well-funded sector in dwelling house who are financially de- cannot be achieved by the state or the na- of national security, public order, morality Government, as well as healthcare, equal pendent on each other or an occupant of tional human rights institution, alone. and general welfare in a democratic soci- justice, adequate food, clean water, decent the dwelling-house and immediate family “It will require the collective effort of ety.” housing and other fundamental rights for consists of a worker’s spouse, child, parent the state, national human rights institution, “These limitations must never be used human progress and dignity.” and sibling. civil society organisations, private actors, to deprive you of your dignity, make you He highlighted to world leaders that in Minister Kumar clarified issues relating to religious organizations, communities and less equal or treat you differently and take Fiji new measures of accountability have union workers as they operate under a col- individuals.” away your freedom. They must be pre- been successfully introduced throughout lective agreement, which was an agreement “We must reach out to the most vulner- scribed by a written law, be reasonable, all institutions of the Government with a made between a registered trade union of able in our society.” justifiable, proportionate and consistent new commitment to merit-based practices workers and an employer, that outlines the The Fijian Constitution through the Bill with democratic values of dignity, equality revolutionizing the calibre of the civil ser- terms and conditions of employment of of Rights prescribed in Chapter 2, guar- and freedom.” vice. workers of one or more descriptions antees 35 rights and freedoms such as Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, PM Bainimarama emphasised that the hu- “Therefore, unionised workers have their Right to personal liberty, Freedom from while addressing the 40th session of the man rights of all Fijians are supported by own set of leave entitlements but should not unreasonable search and seizure, Rights Human Rights Council last month, said the a foundation of strong, independent insti- be excluded from any new leave provisions of accused persons, Freedom of religion, Fijian Constitution recognises the symbi- tutions designed to protect, promote and under the law and must not regulate below conscience and belief and Political rights otic relationship between civil, political uphold the basic rights of all people. the minimum provisions set out under the amongst others. and socioeconomic rights, enshrining his- ERA 2007 and the ER (Budget Amend- Mr Raj also stressed there are limitations toric socioeconomic guarantees for every ment) Act 2018.”

14 Thursday, March 14, 2019 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj NATIONAL MATTERS phone: 3301806 Fiji Tattslotto boosts sports Eight women sailors development

RUPENI VATUBULI AN average of 130,000 Fiji- win NZ scholarships ans participates in the weekly “Australian Lotteries while we EMI KOROITANOA A total of 46 for boys only, girls can try it out time Academy Bycatch training sell an average of 42,000 scratches students had if you like to travel,” she said. manual, said that the Offshore per week to our agents.” NE of the longest applied for the Meanwhile, the Fiji Maritime Fishing Sector had been a driver These are the words of Tattslotto standing superstitions New Zealand Academy (FMA) had recently of Fiji’s fisheries economy with Fiji Executive Sereana Brown as Oamongst sailors is that Government launched its “Protected Spe- its longline fleet worth US$60 she gave an insight on how many women on board a ship equalled Vunise Biumaiwai scholarship cies Bycatch Mitigation for the million (FJ$128.28m) annually. Fijians play the lottery and scratchy. bad luck. to which 15 Fiji offshore Fisheries” training “In this regard, the sustainable The wife of the late Graeme However, times have changed participants were awarded, eight manual, which will strengthen use of tuna resources has been Brown who was also the Tattslotto now and the opportunities for males and seven females. theoretical knowledge of mari- at the forefront of Fiji’s national Fiji Resident Executive said they women in the cruise industry “I would like to travel as a cap- time seafarers in the offshore and regional quest. are thankful for the Sports Council have improved. tain out at sea,” she said. fishing sector on the issues of “While recognizing that Fiji for allowing them to operate in Fiji. Vunise Biumaiwai, 18, is a Ms Biumaiwai, who said the bycatch and contribute to reduc- is at the end trail of migrating student at the Fiji Maritime helm of a vessel was an environ- ing overall bycatch associated tuna stocks, there is a growing Academy who will be joining ment normally meant for men, impacts in offshore fisheries. international demand for respon- seven other females awarded suggested that women too were Minister for Fisheries Semi sibly harvested tuna,” Minister with the Offshore Fishing Skip- capable of sailing. Koroilavesau, who officiated Koroilavesau said. per Scholarship. “It doesn’t always have to be at the launch of the Fiji Mari- We don’t sponsor events to get recognition, we do it because we genuinely love seeing Fijians challenging themselves with other competitors to see if they are good.

Sereana Brown Tattslotto Fiji Executive

“My husband always tell the Fiji Sports Council that we wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for them,” said Mrs Brown. She said that a percentage of their earnings goes to the Fiji Sports Council that leads to the improve- ment of sporting facilities in the country. “Apart from our contribution to the development of sports in the country we also sponsor local tour- naments such as tennis and recently Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Fisheries Craig Strong with Nasilai villagers after the handing over of their new fibreglass boat in Tailevu. Photo: RUPENI VATUBULI sponsored the 2019 Sports Awards. We don’t sponsor events to get recognition, we do it because we Government boat help brings tears of joy genuinely love seeing Fijians chal- lenging themselves with other com- petitors to see if they are good.” RUPENI VATUBULI Tuisawaqa said. Mrs Brown said they currently Ministry of Fisheries perma- have 26 agents around the country EARS of joy were seen nent secretary Craig Strong that provide Fijians the chance to in the eyes of 31-year- handed over a 23 foot vessel become a millionaire or even win Told Nasilai Village with a 75hp engine and safety $30,000. headman Verasa Tuisawaqa equipment to the Nasilai Fish- “Who wouldn’t want a chance to as he saw the new 23-foot fi- ermen’s Association at Nasilai be a millionaire?’ bre boat berthed outside his Community Hall in Tailevu. “If you win the lottery or scratchy village. Mr Strong said that the – you will have to bring the win- “My people look to me for ministry looks forward to ning ticket to our office where we guidance – families depend working with the village in send it to Australia for verification. on me. It has not been easy, as not only helping them help The entire process will take two members of the village started themselves but also insuring weeks at the longest and the best to doubt getting the new boat. that the village benefits from part is that your identity will be hid- They would come to me and all Government initiatives and den,” says Mrs Brown. ask me ‘What is happening to grants. She said that unlike some United our boat?’ ‘You are the village Nasilai Village consists of 15 States lotteries where the identity headman, what you are doing families with over 50 villagers of the winner is revealed in order about it?” We need this boat to and sits on a small piece of to promote the lottery -Tattslotto help us feed our families.” land that does not have even Australia doesn’t force its winners “Seeing the boat berthed be- have room for farming. to reveal their identity. side our village has given me The boat is set to not only The last time a Fijian won the a sign of relief. I am so happy help feed the 15 families but lottery was in 2012 in which he Young boys of Nasilai Village stand in front of their new fibreglass boat. and grateful to the Fijian Gov- generate income for the vil- claimed $3 million. Photo: RUPENI VATUBULI ernment for their help,” Mr lage.

Thursday, March 14, 2019 15 THURSDAY MARCH 14, 2019 l 16 PAGES l ISSUE 5 VOL 10 l WWW.FIJI.GOV.FJ Fijij Focus

HFC Bank Human Resources General Manager Rosy Fong presents the Senior Manager of the Year Award to Georgina Naigulevu. Photo: MARICA CAUCAU

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi WaqainabetePhoto: presents MARICA the CAUCAULifetime Achievement Award to Setareki Macanawai. Lifetime Achievement Awardee Setareki Macanawai with his spouse at Holiday Inn Suva. Photo: MARICA CAUCAU POSITIVE

Wyndham Destinations General Manager, Brad Downton presents the best sportsperson of the year award to Merewalesi Rodan. Photo: MARICA CAUCAU STEPPraise for mainstreaming effort for disabled persons PRASHILA DEVI work experience in the ICT sector. portunities and greater support is ient of awards, and their massive “We want to have more female Not only that, Mrs Naigulevu, being provided to Person’s with contributions towards building participation and acknowledge HE mainstreaming of Per- who counts her father Sagaitu Disability. a better Fiji for us all,” Minister their role so we will have a wom- sons with Disability in Fiji Sakimi as her source of inspira- Minister for Health and Medical Waqainabete said. en category and another one will Thas been hailed as a posi- tion, has a Bachelor in Computer Services, Dr Ifereimi Waqaina- “As Fiji commits to move from be the small and micro business tive step in helping them integrate Science and Information System bete, officiated at the United Blind recognition to realization of the award where the contribution of in society rather than living on the from the University of the South Persons of Fiji hosted awards, Rights of Persons with Disabili- young entrepreneurs will be re- margins. Pacific. which he said, “celebrates the ties, tonight we acknowledge our warded.” An elated recipient of the Home “I was not expecting this award achievements of extraordinary in- nation’s commitment in ‘Leaving The other five awardees included Finance Corporation (HFC) Bank because the other nominees are dividuals and colleagues who rose No one Behind’.” Wydham Destinations Best Sports Senior Manager of the Year Award all people who are my seniors and above the odds to produce excel- Event organiser, Rajneel Prasad person of the year award, Mere- under the Gala Awards Night, people who I look up to. Howev- lently in their own disciplines”. has thanked the UBP for their ad- walesi Rodan, FNU Student of Georgina Naigulevu made this er, as a recipient all I can say I am “It gives me great pleasure to be vice and support in making the the Year Iosefa Vukevuke, TFL distinction and is the living proof honoured and privileged.” with you tonight as we together first ever awards night a success Entrepreneur of the Year Devika as despite having Bilateral Con- Ms Naigulevu also acknowl- recognize the outstanding contri- and said that the awards next year Nadidi, Youth Award Etika Naqio genital Talipse (commonly known edged that a lot is now being in butions of six individuals living will be on a larger scale with two and Life Time achievement Award as clubfoot), she has over 10 years Fiji towards increasing the op- with disabilities who will be recip- additional categories. Setareki Macanawai. THURSDAY MARCH 14, 2019 l ISSUE 5 - VOL 10 l 8 PAGES fIjI foks N8uij>ly\3 ky qh hj>[r Ap p=6[nm\t=I 1ro\ my\ k[ fIjI ibjlI kI my\ dOr[ p~Q@ 2 19 2 

a5]V8vS5[ m\t=I t5[ a[2o]nI jyNrl ae8[j> sY8d-wY8um suv[vA h[Aj> my\ do hj>[r ANnIs aOr bIs ky aoNl[en r[Q2+I8 bj2 pr[m9] ky tht fysbuk pr logo\ ky p=9no\ k[ A)r dyty huE| fo2o: n[nIsy nyiml[| aoNl[en bj2 pr[m9] sonm s[mI q[t=o\ kI i2Pp4I ko dywty huE Str ky ivdy9I 7\3[r k[ a[n\d ly a[n p3>I| kr rhy hY\; hr isivl syvk ijsky E-jI ny es sv[l k[ jv[b id8[ rhy hY\, "a[2o]nI jyNrl ny kh[| pir4[m Sv[Rp do hj[>r a@2[hr[ p[s srk[r ky s[5 roj>g[r hY ko a5]V8vS5[ m\t=I t5[ a[2o]nI ik esI trh kI afuv[ fYlI hue] hY| ANho\ny kh[ ik do hj>[r q: sy do my\ skl 1rylU ATp[d(gross koN2+yK2 id8[ j[t[ hY aOr Asmy\ jyNrl ae8[j> sY8d-wY8um ny phlI fIjI kj>] my\ nhI\ 3Ub[ hY, biLk hj>[r soLh[ tk fIjI kj>] my\ 5[, domestic product) my\ ab pc[s a[pko iktn[ 7ugt[n imlyg[ dj] b[r aoNl[en 2019/2020 bj2 a[j fIjI kI a5]V8vS5[ sb sy ijskI skl 1rylU ATp[d(gross p=it9t hY lyikn 8h do hj>[r q: rht[ hY| pr[m9] my\ 7[g il8[| mj>but hY,"E-jI ny kh[| domestic product) do hj>[r q: ky iml[n sy km hY;by9k hmy\ inm[] ANho\ny kh[ ik isivl syvko\ ky 2y9rI q[t=o\ ko jv[b dyty huE 'hm[r[ skl 1rylU ATp[d(gross my\ itrpn p=it9t sy km 5I aOr n k[8] my\ lg7g p[{c sO imlI8n incy jo i9xk aOr ns]s hY\ ky vytn a[2o]nI jyNrl ny fIjI ky kj] ky domestic product) Ek ACc do hj>[r soLh[ my\ sY\t[lIs p=it9t 3olr wc] krn[ p3[>| ko b#>[8[ hY aOr kuq k[ to aSsI b[ry my\ A@[E gE p=(no\ pr kuq S5r pr bY@[ hY aOr hmny sI6y nO km hua[| E-jI ny i9xk vytn aOr koN2+yK2 p=it9t sy b#>[ id8[ g8[ hY| mudy pYm[ny 8h suini(ct nhI\ kr skty ik purSk[r id8[ j[t[ hY,"a[2o]nI srk[r muf K8o dytI hY byroj>g[rI ko km ik8[ hY;aOr ACc pr s[v]jink wc] kI a[v(8kt[ a[p iks i9xk 8[ ns] ko s\67] jyNrl ny kh[| jbik hm kj>] my\ 3Uby huE hY\| email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj vh sb kuq jo fIjI my\ ho rh[ hY phone: 3301806

l[\gIl[\gI N8uij>ly\3 ky Ap p=6[nm\t=I h[Aij>\g sonm s[mI

fIjI8n p=it8oigt[ aOr koNj>8umr k[ fIjI my\ dOr[ koim9n l[\gIl[\gI sonm s[mI m\t=I a[Aipto ivlI8m sIao ny h[Aij>\g p=ojyK2 ky 7I HIpxI8 bY@k my\ s[5 id8[| Ek sO i9k[8to\ ky N8uij>ly\3 ky Ap p=6[nm\t=I t5[ fIjI aOr N8Uij>ly\3 Ek S5[8I s[5 j[\c ko wTm ivdy9 m[mlo\ ky m\t=I ivNs2n r[jni8k s[zyd[rI krty hY jo krny ky kirb hY\| pI2j] k[ p[rmp[irk Sv[gt logo\ sy logo\ ko jo3>t[ hY| Ef sI sI fIjI my\ ik8[ g8[ jo Asy do hj>[r s)rh my\ kul nO sO sI(FCCC) ky muW8 bhut w[s lg[| cObIs($924m) imlI8n ky k[8]k[rI ai6k[rI N8uij>ly\3 ky Ap p=6[nm\t=I s[5 N8Uij>ly\3 dono\ dy9o\ ky bIc joEl ab=[hm ny ACc p=itini6m\3l ky s[5 Ek p=muw V8[p[irk 7[gId[rI puqt[q ky dOr[n fIjI a[E aOr ANho\ny kh[ ik rh[ hY| j[nk[rI ju2[ny ky il8 es trh kI p=5[E\ ke] s[l esky aitirKt, N8Uij>ly\3, do sO(200) sy a[6k phly dywI ge] 5I aOr 7iv(8 fIjI k[ dUsr[ sbsy b3>[ logo\ sy mul[k[t kI| my\ j[rI hogI| p8]2n St=ot b[j[r hY ijsmy\ l[\gIl[\gI h[Aij>\g ky 8y irv[j> a[p ky b[ry my\ hY, do hj>[r a2<@[rh my\ N8Uij>ly\3 i9k[8to\ k[ mudly\3 ky Ap p=6[nm\t=I ky ky b[d 7I koe] fly\3 ky bIc ky ir9to ko\ 'sUcn[ Ekt=It N8Uij>ly\3 ky Ap p=6[nm\t=I aOr mj>but krny k[ avsr a78[s krny sy ivnS2n rym\3 pI2j] qBbIs 5[| sk[r[Tmk p=itik=8[ t[irw frvrI ko fIjI a[E N8Uij>ly\3 ky Ap p=6[nm\t=I ky b[d Ef sI sI sI aOr ACc srk[rI ai6k[ir8o\ pI2j] ny mh[mihm r[Q2+pit (FCCC) ny V8iKtgt ky s[5 HIpxI8 bY@k 7I kI ic8ocI koNroty,a2onI] jyNrl Str pr iS5it ko in6[] aOr a2<@[es(28th) t[irw ae8[j> sY8d-wY8um t5[ surx[ irt krny ky il8 l[\ frvrI ko fIjI sy kIrIb[tI ky m\t=I ein8[ syRer[tu sy 7I gIl[\gI h[Aij>\g aOr il8 rv[n[ huE| mul[k[t kI| a[sp[s ky xyt=o\ my\ N8Uij>ly\3 ky Ap p=6[nm\t=I ky  jmInI 2Imo\ ko tYn[t p=itini6m\3l my\ N8Uij>ly\3 ky  ik8[ 5[,s[v]jink s[m[ijk ivk[s aOr ivkl[\ my\ aOpc[irk tOr pr N8uij>ly\3 ky Ap p=6[nm\t=I t5[ ivdy9 m[mlo\ ky m\t=I ivNs2n pI2j],a5]V8vS5[ m\t=I j[\c aCqI trh sy gt[ m[mlo\ ky m\t=I k[m]l jLd hI 8[t=[ krny kI AMmId ae8[j> sY8d-wY8um ky s[5 Anky dOry pr| fo2o:EronI vlIlI| a[gy b#> rhI hY aOr sypulonI t5[ pisifk ippLs kI j[ rhI hY| esy jLd hI sm[Pt ik8[ j[Eg[,” _I ab=[hm ny kh[| Ef sI sI qh hj>[r 1ro\ sI(FCCC) ny fIjI ky logo\ sy m[\g kI hY ik agr Anky p[s l[\ my\ ibjlI kI gIl[\gI h[Aij>\g p=ojyK2 ko lykr koe] i9k[8ty  hY\ to vh a7I 7I sonm s[mI Anhy\ apnI Ek fo2o a[E3I, 7ugt[n 7rny  kI rsId aOr smzOty \ ky k[gj[>t lykr dj]  e kr[ skty hY\|    Ef sI sI  sI(FCCC) lg[t[r [[ jnt[ ky sdS8o\ aOr  iht6[rko\ ko Anky invy9 kul ai6k[r aOr k[nun BbI ky d[i8Tvo\ ky b[ry  my\ j[gRkt[ b#>[n[  c[ht[ hY|  AFog,8[t[8[t,a[pd[ p=b\6k aOr mOsmI syv[ m\t=I jony As[m[ty n[\dI ky bhrI el[ky k[ dOr[ krty huE Aidv[e] sy2lm\2 ky a[mglI g[{v my\ Ef sI sI  aOpc[irk tOr pr ibjlI kI AD1[2n kI| fo2o:josya[ rl[\go\| sI(FCCC) Ap7oKt[     ($3.3m) ($1.4m) ky iht ko b#>[v[ dyt[  imlI8n   (118)  hY t[ik ivv[do\ ko   ($224m) (264)  (600) inv[r4 t\t= ky m[^8m    ($4.45m)  sy hl ik8[ j[E|     Ek sUict b[j[r       bn[ny kI id9[ my\ k[m      krty huE, Ef sI sI ky  ($60m)  sI(FCCC) vh s7I   (6,623)  a[v(8k kdm A@[      rh[ hY ijssy Ap7oKt[  h1   b[j[r my\ apny      kt]V8 aOr ai6k[r  ky b[ry my\ j[ny|

2 Thursday, March 14, 2019 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj phone: 3301806 vh sb kuq jo fIjI my\ ho rh[ hY n8[ avk[9 ai6in8m sonm s[mI nE ai6in8m ky anus[r s7I roj>g[ro\ ko koy jNm kI s\7[ivt t[rIw k[ Ek p=m[n a[pkI pTnI,bCcy,m[t[-ipt[ 8[ 7[e]-bhn| p[ry\2l lIv lyny kI anumtI hY,8[ny m[t[ aOr pt= dyn[ hog[| m\t=I kum[r ny es m[mly ky il8 8uin8n do hj>[r a@<2[rh ky roj>g[r ipt[ dono qu2<2I ly skty hY\, jbik phly dusr[ avk[9 py2yin2I lIv hY aOr 8h vh voks] sy ju3>y mud[r ANnIs sy my2yin2I lIv cOr[sI idn in2I lIv il8[ hY| en avk[9 k[ hkd[r in8oKt[ao\ ky bIc bn[e] ge] hY ijsmy\ roj>g[r p[ry\2l lIv 9[iml hY| sy b#>[kr a@[nvy idn kr id8[ g8[ hY| hony ky il8 a[pko apny k[m pr tIn ky in8mo\ aOr 9to] ko rw[\ikt ik8[ hY| roj>g[r m\t=I p=vIn kum[r b[l[ ny kh[ ik phly tIn bCco ky jNm tk a[pko cOr[sI mihny pur[ krn[ p3>yg[| 'eisil8 8uin8n voks] ky p[s avk[9 8h ai6in8m do hj>[r s[t ky inMniliwt idn kI qu2<2I 8[ny pur[ vytn a[pko imlyg[, es py2yin2I lIv my\ lg7g p[{c idno\ k[ ky apny in8m hoty hY\, lyikn k[nun ky tht p[t=t[E\ ky tht a[tI hY| cO5y aOr As sy a[gy bCco\ ky jNm sm8 vytn a[pko imlyg[| iksI 7I nE avk[9 ai6in8m do hj>[r s[t inMniliwt p[t=t[E\ avk[9 do hj>[r s[t sy a[pko a[6[ vytn imlyg[| fyMlI ky8r lIv 8[ny sGgy pirv[r kI aOr do hj>[r a@<2[rh ky in6[]irt N8Untm mOjud hY, Enuvl lIv, sIk lIv, b=Ivm\2 lIv aOr m\t=I kum[r ny kh[ ik km]c[rI ko apny dyw7[l ky il8 qu2<2I lI j[ sktI hY, vy jo ivin8imt sy nIcy nhI\ hon[ c[ihE," m\t=I my2yin2I lIv| in8oKt[ ko Sv[S%8 icikTs[ syv[ 8[ ns] Ek dusry pr a[i5]k Rp sy in7]r rhty hY\ jYsy kum[r ny kh[|

k=iQ[,g[=mIn,smud+I ivk[s,jlm[g] aOr v[t[vr4 m\t=I 3[K2r mhyNd+[ ry3<3I do hj[>r a[@ v[ly il2r ai6in8m ai6k[rI aOr p=it7[ig8o\ ky s[5 il2r ip=vy\9n p=i9x4 l[gu lrty huE| fo2o: n[nIsy nyiml[| ku3>y kI rok5[m krny kI il8 p=i9x4 sonm s[mI

krIb s[@ il2r ip=vy\9n aoifss] sy ai6k[ir8o\ ky s[5 imlkr ku3>y ky inSt[r4 ky k[nuno\ ko l[gu kry\ gy| es pr a7I h[l hI do hj[r a[@(2008) v[ly il2r ai6in8m ky tht il2r ip=vy\9n p=i9x4 ky dOr[n k=iQ[,jlm[g] t5[ v[t[vr4 m\t=I 3[K2r mhyNd+[ ry3<3I ny k=iQ[,g[=mIn,smud+I ivk[s,jlm[g] aOr v[t[vr4 m\t=[l8 ko 8h ATwnn p=d[n ik8[|8h tIn wodk kI m9In jp[n kI srk[r H[r[ id8[ g8[ hY jo Anky anud[n p=k[9 3[l[| srk[r ky s7I xyt= t5[ injI xyt= my\ ccy] k[ mudy ko aCqI trh sy nhI\   alg ik8[ j[E to eskI vjh sy smud[8o\ my\ ke]   iv7[g k[ dOr[    trh kI smS8[E\ ho sktI hY\| sonm s[mI ‘il2r s[v]jink Sv[S%8 ky il8 7I wtr[ hY  (2018)   K8o\ik 8h ibm[rI pYd[ krny v[ly ik3>y mkO3>y ko  a[kiQ[]t krtI hY aOr smud[8o\ kI qiv ko wr[b kr       sktI hY aOr PlySi2k k[ estym[l, aOr smS8[E\ pYd[ v krt[ hY,”m\t=I ry3<3I ny kh[|  C    m\t=I ry3<3I ny kh[ ik es a78[s sy s7I il2r  ip=vy\9n aoifss] m\t=l8 kI k[m ko smzygy\ aOr   k[\   eskI sr[hn[ krygy\ aOr fIjI ky p=[k=itk v[t[vr4  ky s\rx4 my\ srk[r ky s[5 imlkr Anky p=8[so\ k[      sm5]n krygy\| | do hj[r a[@ (2008) v[ly il2r ai6in8m ky tht |     ivi7Nn apr[6o\ ky il8 sj>[ in6[]irt ik8[ g8[  hY,ijsmy\ v[hn sy ku3>[ fy>kn[ aOr wtrn[k trh sy      ku3>[ qo3> dyn[ 9[iml hY|  8h ai6in8m p8[]vr4 iv7[g H[r[ l[gu ik8[ g8[ o\      hY lyikn esy ke] ai6k=t ku3>y inro6 ai6k[ir8o\  H[r[ ik8[ j[ skt[ hY ijsmy\ puils, lyN3 2+[Nspo2]     "  ai6k[rI, s[v]jink Sv[S%8 ai6k[rI aOr aN8 s[v]  jink ai6k[rI 9[iml hY\| tIn jlm[g]aOr   v[t[vr4 m\t=[l8 ko id8[ g8[ hY t[ik 

Thursday, March 14, 2019 3 vh sb kuq jo fIjI my\ ho rh[ hY email: [email protected]; l @FijiRepublic; l Fijian Government; l visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj l phone: 3301806 vh sb kuq jo fIjI my\ ho rh[ hY

Ef 3I bI (FDB) r[Q2+I8 Ev3]s g=yN3 pisifk ho2yl my\ a[8oijt fIjI i3vyloPm\2 by\k kI Ev3] n[e]2 jh[{ mh[mihm r[Q2+pit ic8ocI koNroty ny AD1[2n ik8[| r[Q2+pit ny kh[ ik Es Em e(SME) grIbI aNmUln aOr a[i5]k ivk[s ky il8 pU\jIv[dI hY\| esky al[v[, r[Q2+pit ny Ef 3I bI(FDB) bo3] aof 3[EryK2s] ky a^8x _I rob2] L8on H[r[ 9[iml ikE gE kul b[rh p=[Ptkt[]ao\ ko purSk[r p=d[n ik8[| ibJ>ns]vumn aof dI mh[mihm r[Q2+pit ic8ocI koNroty ny kh[ ik Ef 3I bI(FDB) Es Em e(SME) Ev3]s 6n Ekt=It krny k[ Ek e8r Ev3] J>rI8[ hY ijsy fIjI kI srk[r ny logo\ ky eStym[l ky il8 in6[]irt ik8[ hY| mihl[ao\,bCco t5[ girbI ivcr4 m\t=I myrysynI vuniv[g[\ ny a7I h[l hI v[iQ[]k s[A5 pisifk ibJns 3yvyloPm\2 ibJ>ns]vumn aof dI e8r Ev3] k[ AD1[2n lOtok[ ky fo2o: EronI vlIlI cc]l p[k] pr ik8[| dy9 ky lg7g tIn hj>[r mihl[ao\ ny esmy\ 7[g il8[ jh[{ m\t=I vuniv[g[\ ny mihl[ao\ ky s9iKtkr4 ky p=it fIjI srk[r kI p=itbDt[ ko dohr[8[| fIjI kI srk[r An skr[Tmk b[6[ao\ ko dur krny my\ mdd krt[ hY ijs ky k[r4 mihl[ao\ ko a[gy b#>ny my\ ki@n[e] hotI hY| s[vus[vu kI 9[lInI lt[ ko ibJ>ns]vumn aof dI e8r Ev3] id8[ g8[| fo2o: josya[ r[logo\ iv(v aoilMipk wyl mh[mihm r[Q2+pit myjr-jyynrl(ir2[83]) ic8ocI konroty ny a7I h[l hI do hj>[r ANnIs ky il8 fIjI 2Im ky ivQ[y9 aoilMipk iv(v wyl jo abU 6[bI my\ hog[ Asky il8 et[At[A(ITAUTAU) p=[Pt ik8[| Ek sO s)r E5lI2 abU 6[bI my\ iv(v aoilMipk kp my\cObIs iksm ky wylo\ ko wylygy\|

fo2o: n[nIsy nyiml[

N8Uij>ly\3 ky Ap p=6[n m\t=I k[ fIjI my\ dOr[ surx[ t5[ ivdy9 m[mlo\ ky m\t=I ein8[ syRer[tu ny N8Uij>ly\3 ky Ap p=6[nm\t=I ky il8 g=yN3 pisifk ho2yl my\ kok2yl p[2I] kI a[8ojn[ kI| fIjI aOr N8Uij>ly\3 Ek S5[8I r[jni8k s[zyd[rI krty hY jo logo\ sy logo\ ko jo3>t[ hY| N8Uij>ly\3 ky Ap p=6[nm\t=I ivnS2n rym\3 pI2j] qBbIs t[irw frvrI ko fIjI a[E aOr ACc srk[rI ai6k[ir8o\ ky s[5 HIpxI8 bY@k 7I kI| N8Uij>ly\3 ky Ap p=6[nm\t=I ky es dOry k[ k[r4 fIjI aOr N8Uij>ly\3 ky bIc ky ir9to ko\ aOr mj>but krny k[ avsr iml[| N8Uij>ly\3 ky Ap p=6[nm\t=I pI2j] ny mh[mihm r[Q2+pit ic8ocI koNroty,a2onI] jyNrl ae8[j> sY8d-wY8um t5[ surx[ m\t=I ein8[ syRer[tu sy 7I mul[k[t kI| vh a2<@[es t[irw frvrI ko fIjI sy kIrIb[tI ky il8 rv[n[ huE| fo2o: n[nIsy nyiml[

4 Thursday, March 14, 2019 5 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj vh sb kuq jo fIjI my\ ho rh[ hY phone: 3301806

sonm8 s[mI [\gon[8h slh [ ANhonky vh[{ ky logo\ k[o ipqy qso3> j[ty hY\| yvnny kh[| km 7[gId[rkryI ko b#>[v[ dyny ky il8 id8[ jb vh A)rI iv7[g kI 8[t=[ sh[8k m\t=I ny kh[ ik pURQ[o\ ko 'Ek pURQ[ ky Rp my\ hm[r[ pURQ[o\ ko 7I bul[8[ 5[| k=iQ[,g=[mIn aOr smud+I ivk[s ky il8 mdua[t[ ky n[\durI g[{v k[ apnI ij>NdgI ko lykr smzd[rI Sv[S%8 hm[ry il8 bhut J>RrI hY iksI 7I smud[E ky ivk[s ky ky sh[8k m\t=I j[ly is\g[r[r[ ny dOr[ krny gE 5y| sy kdm A@[n[ c[ihE| aOr hr idn smzd[rI sy Sv[S%8 il8 mihl[ao\ kI 7[gId[rI hon[ g[{v my\ mdo]\ ko apnI sh[8t[ ko apnI ic\t[ jt[ty huE ANho\ny kh[ '8[\gon[ k[ syvn km kr ky ky p=it k[m krn[ hog[,"ANho\ny a[v(8k hY K8o\ik srk[r il\g brk[r[r rwny ky il8 8[\gon[ k[ ik pURQ[ apnI pTnI aOr bCco ko hmy\ apny pirv[ro\ ky il8 p=[5imk kh[| sm[nt[ ko b#>[v[ dyt[ hY,"sh[8k syvn km krny kI a[g=h kI hY| etnI km Am= my\ mOt ky k[r4 hon[ c[ihE,"sh[8k m\t=I is\g[r[r[ m\t=I ny ivk[s my\ mihl[ao\ kI m\t=I is\g[r[r[ ny kh[| k=iQ[ Ek V8v[s[8 sonm s[mI

'hm k=iQ[ ko bn[ aOr ivSt[irt nhI kr skty t5[ 8uv[ iks[no\ ko esmy\ p=vy9 krny pr mjbur nhI\ kr skty jb tk hm k=iQ[ ko Ek V8v[s[8 ky Rp my\ nhI\ dywty,"8h khn[ hY k=iQ[ ivk[s m\t=I 3[K2r mhyNd+[ ry3<3I k[ ijNho\ ny a7I h[l hI ny9nl 8Uinvis]2I my\ k=iQ[ ivk[s pr sv]jink V8[W8[n id8[| m\t=I ry3<3I ny es b[t pr p=k[9 3[l[ ik m\t=[l8 ky Eyg=o-p=osyss] eNf=[S2+Kcr spo2] p=og[=m k[ bj2 Ek imlI8n hY, ijsk[ AD(8 inr\tr a[pUit] ko p=oTs[iht krky, mojud[ in8[]t m[go\ my\ su6[r aOr nE in8[]t avsro\ k[ inm[]n krky a[i5]k ivk[s ko p=[Pt krn[ hY| k[8]k=m in8[]tko\ aOr a[8[t krny v[ly dy9o\ aOr V8vs[8o\ ky m[nko\ aOr a[v(8kt[ao\ ko pUr[ krny my\ mdd krny pr ky\id+t hY| en my\ s\g=h ky\d+o\ kI S5[pn[, AFog,8[t[8[t,a[pd[ p=b\6k aOr mOsmI syv[ m\t=I jony As[m[ty A)rI iv7[g k[ dOr[ krty huE aOpc[irk tOr pr mdua[t[ syg[\g[\ my\ ibjlI kI AD1[2n kI| fo2o:josya[ rl[\go\| koL3 S2orj isS2m aOr a\trr[Q2+I8 b[j[r kI a[v(8kt[ao\ ko pUr[ krny ky il8 vt]m[n p=s\Skr4 aOr do hj>[r eKkIs tk in8[]t suiv6[ao\ k[ su6[r 9[iml hY| ibjlI kI putI] esky a[l[v[, ANho\ny 8h 7I sonm s[mI  kh[ ik m\t=[l8 jLd hI Ek  n8[ c[r[ su6[r 8ojn[ 9uR kryg[   ijskI m\j>UrI tIn hf>ty phly (2021)  lyg[\lyg[\ n[\dI my\ kyibn2 ny N[ ky  junk[A pir8ojn[ ky s[5 dy dI   A hY ijsy do hj>[r cOdh my\ cInI    srk[r H[r[ f\3 ik8[ g8[ 5[|   9o6 ky anus[r junk[A 1[s kI   poQ[n s[m[gI= fIjI my\ aN8 c[r[   sy byhtr hY|   p9u6n ATp[dn ko aOr byhtr   bn[ny ky il8 m\t=[l8 junk[A   1[s ky rop4,p=s\Skr4 aOr 7\3[r   ky s[5 b3>y wyto\ kI phc[n   kryg[ aOr Ank[ sm5]n kryg[|   '8h jlv[8u pirvt]n ky il8   lcIl[pn 7I bn[Eg[| iks[no\  ($3.34b) ky p[s n kyvl Ek ACc   p=o2In hog[,biLk Anky wyt    pr sUw[ c[r[ hog[ aOr Ek  (EFL)  bony k[ s=ot 7I hog[ ijsy vh   tb apny wyt my\ ivSt[irt kr   skty hY,\" m\t=I ry3<3I ny kh[|          AFog,8[t[8[t,a[pd[ p=b\6k aOr mOsmI syv[ m\t=I jony As[m[ty| ]

6 Thursday, March 14, 2019 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj phone: 3301806 vh sb kuq jo fIjI my\ ho rh[ hY l[g[\l[g[\ c[vl ky iks[no\ ky il8 aCqI wbr sonm s[mI sh[8t[ p=d[n kryg[ jo nU\bu, l[\g[l[\g[,kuRkuR,b[{g[ aOr kI po2]bl c[vl mIl m9In kI vjh lIkoso my\ rhty hY\| sy l[g[l[g[ c[vl ky iks[no\ ky 'iks[n srk[r kI es sh[8t[ ATp[dn my\ b#>NtI hue]| sy wu9 hY\ aOr mY j[Nt[ hu ik vh Ek hj[r do sO 3olr l[gt k[ esk[ pur[ Ap8og kry\gy| iks[n 8h 7ugt[n k=iQ[ m\t=I 3[K2r mhyNd+[ apny w[ny kI V8vS5[ ky il8 ry3<3I H[r[ iks[no\ ko sOp[ g8[| c[vl Ag[ty\ hY aOr kuq iks[n m\t=I ry3<3I ny kh[ ik iks[no\ ky fIjI r[es ilmI23 ko a[@ sO il8 myhnt j[rI rwny ky s[5 s[5 3olr 2n pr byctI hY," ANho\ny kh[| agr vy ivi7Nn iksm kI isf[ir9 _I c\d ny srk[r ko n[ly aOr kI ge] c[vl ko Ag[ty hY\ to m\ j>mIn ko s[f krny pr 6N8v[d t=[l8 es xyt= my\ AnkI mdd kryg[| id8[ jbik esI vjh sy vh c[vl 'agr vh b3I iksm k[ c[vl Ag[ny aOr mun[f[ krny my\ sxm 5y| bn[ty hY to vh es m9In k[ nE po2]bl r[es iml m9In ko eStym[l nhI\ kr sky\gy K8o\ik 8h Ek EysI S5[n pr rw[ j[Eg[ t[ik m9In isf] qo2I iksm k[ c[vl iks[n apny wyto\ ky nJ>idk wud bn[tI hY,"m\t=I ry3<3I ny kh[| k[ 6[n lg[ sky| n[\do\go\ smud[E ky ACc a^8x 3[ku ky n[t[\by aOr syg[\g[\ ky _I amI c\d ny kh[ ik 8h solovy g[{v my\ bhut jLd Ek po2] m9In kul Ek sO iks[no\ ko k=iQ[,g[=mIn,smud+I ivk[s,jlm[g] aOr v[t[vr4 m\t=I 3[K2r mhyNd+[ ry3<3I mdua[t[ l[g[\l[g[\ ky iks[no\ ko po2]bl r[es iml bl r[es iml m9In id8[ j[Eg[| m9In dyty huE | mih\l[E\ kuq 7I kr sktI h\Y sonm s[mI bIs sy eKkIs frvrI tk hua[| mud[t[ hY| p=d9]n tIn sO pY\s@ p=it7[ig8o\ my\ sy Ek 5I m\t=[l8 ky invt]m[n S5[8I sicv 3[K2r ANho\ny kh[ ik 8h 6[im]k xyt=o\, injI xyt=o\ ijNho\ny a[ki9]t a[7UQ[4 ko p=di9]t ik8[| hunr ky s[5 rcn[Tmkt[ aOr myhnt apko josyf>[ koroevuEt[ ijNho\ny AD1[2n kI aOr s[v]jink xyt=o\ ky nyt[ao\ k[ a[hv[n hY| _Imit vk[lolom[ ny kh[ ik vh hmy9[ puRSk[r pir4[m idl[ skt[ hY agr a[p ny kh[ ik 8h mihl[ k[rIgro\ H[r[ apny 'mul Rp sy hmy\ apnI m[niskt[ apny g[{v kI mihl[ao\ ky s[5 p[s kI shI r[h my\ cl rhy hY\| hunr ko b[hr l[ny ky il8 fIjI srk[r kI aOr apnI m[N8t[ao\ ko bdlny kI smud+ t2o\ sy sIp 8[ny 9yLs Ekt=It krtI hY\ k[rIgrI p=d9]n, mihl[ao\,bCco t5[ grIbI p=itik=8[ 5I| J>Rrt hY t[ik dy9 ky inm[]n ky il8 aOr Ansy a[ki9]t a[7UQ[4 bn[tI hY| aNmuln m\t=[l8 ky s[5 fIjI kl[ pirQ[d 3[K2r koroevuEt[ ny kh[ ik mihl[ao\ k[ mihl[ao\ ko pURQ[o\ ky s[5 s[m[Nt[ k[ Anho\ny An mihl[ao\ ko jo 1r pr rhtI hY ny ik8[ 5[| s9KtIkr4 Ek r[jnIitk bynr nhI\ hY, 8h dj[] imly," 3[K2r koroevuEt ny kh[| apnI hunr ko p=di9]t krny kI m[{g kI hY| do idvsI8 k[8]k=m r[tu sukun[ p[k] my\ isf] srk[r k[ mudMmyd[rI sy mqlI pk3>ny kI a[g=h sonm s[mI 'mTs8 p[ln fIjI kI a5] V8vS5[ k[ p=muw j[lk rh[ hY,"8h khn[ hY mTs8 AFog m\t=I symI koroel[vys[A k[| m\t=I ny kh[ ik fIjI myir2[8m Ek[3mI suv[ my\ b[Ekyic\g p=i9xk mynual k[ AD1[2n krty huE m\t=I ny kh[ ik mTs8 iv7[g k[ sbsy iv9[l jh[j>o k[ by3>[ sl[n[ kul amirkn s[@ imlI8n 3olr k[ hY| 'es s\b\6 my\ 2un[ s\s[6no\ k[ if9irj> ky pm]nN2 syKry2rI KrYg S2+og ny\ tyes fu2 k[ jh[j>,E\ijn aOr surx[ Apkr4 nsyl[e if9irj> EsoisE9n ko nsyl[e s[mud[i8k hol,t[elyvu my\ id8[| S5[8I Ap8og fIjI kI r[Q2+I8 aOr xyt=I8 woj my\ sbsy a[gy hY," An hY| Anhony a[gy kh[ ik mqua[ro\ my\ j[nn[ JRrI hY| avsr 7I p=d[n krt[ hY| hony kh[| ANhony kh[ ik 8h ainv[8] hY ik ky il8 ijMmyd[rI sy k[8] krn[ 'jbik 8h mynual c[lk dl ky fIjI nY9nl 8uinvis]2I ky v[es m\t=I ny kh[ ik Apcun[v ky mudny v[ly ky S5[8I mynual p=[Pt krny ky il8 AD1[2n pk3>ny v[ly r[Q2+ ky il8 mh[TvpU4] aOr smud+I pxI 9[iml hY\| mqlI pk3>ny kI gitivi68o\ ky b[ry v[t[vr4 my\ 8ogd[n krny k[ shI my\ 9[iml 5y|

Thursday, March 14, 2019 7 THURSDAY MARCH 14, 2019 l ISSUE 5 - VOL 10 l 8 PAGES fIjI foks

mh[mihm r[Q2+pit (ir2[8]3) ic8ocI koNroty, rotum[ ky k=[eS2 dI ik\g p=[EMrI SkUl ky bCco ky s[t, c[r s[l my c[r imlI8n py3> lg[ny kI pir8ojn[ ky tht| fo2o: solo lyv[n[vnua[| mh[mihm r[Q2+pit k[ rotum[ k[ dOr[ sonm s[mI Rp sy jo kuq kr skty hY\ vh krn[ c[ihE| apny cO5y idn ky 8[t=[ my\ r[Q2+pit koNroty ny ivi7Nn srk[rI rotUm[ HIp pr apnI 8[t=[ ky dUsry idn vh bujug] n[girko\ suiv6[ao\ k[ dOr[ ik8[ aOr HIp pr en pir8ojn[ao\ pr k[m mh[mihm r[Q2+pit ic8ocI koNroty apnI pTnI,puvI] iv7[g sy imlny gE K8o\ik srk[r apny ivi7Nn s[m[ijk su6[ro\ ky krny v[ly isivl syvko\ sy mul[k[t kI| ky kim9nr aOr aN8 srk[rI ai6k[rI ky s[5 rotUm[ gE m[^8m sy hm[ry bujugo] kI dyw7[l krny ky il8 g\7Ir hY\| a[r Ef Em Ef e\jIin8ro\ H[r[ sYn8 pry3 k[ inrIx4 krny ky aOr vh[{ pr Ank[ Sv[gt rotUm[ HIp pirQ[d ky a^8x ggj Anho\ny hm[rI jIvn9YlI ky bdl[v pr 7I apnI ic\t[ V8Kt b[d, r[Q2+pit koNroty ny aSpt[l k[ dOr[ ik8[ ijsk[ a7I 7I k[Asyrf H[r[ ik8[ g8[| kI hY jo hmy\ sI6y gYr s\c[rI rogo\ tk lyj[ rhI hY| inm[]n ho rh[ hY| pur[ hony ky b[d n8[ aSpt[l HIp pr k[Asyrf ny mh[mihm r[Q2+pit ko bt[8[ ik pUry s[t ijlo\ 'fIjI srk[r sl[n[ c[r sO qh imlI8n 3olr En sI 3I ivtirt icikTs[ syv[ao\ ko b#>[ dyg[| ky p=muw apny sfl put=o\ my\ sy Ek k[ HIp pr Sv[gt krty s\b\i6t bIm[ir8o\ my\ wc] krtI hY, agr hm apny Sv[S%8 k[ Anho\ny p[vr h[As, b[8o-isK8uir2I k[8]l8, rotUm[ vij]n hY aOr Anky ivi7Nn p=8[so\ ky il8 apn[ sm5]n dyty hY\| W8[l aCqI trh sy rwy to hm en bIm[ir8o\ sy bc skty kokon2 aoel k[rw[n[ aOr S5[8I aSpt[l ky roig8o\ k[ mh[mihm r[Q2+pit ic8ocI koNroty rotUm[ my\ huE ivk[s ky hY\ aOr es 6n ko ne] s3>ko,SkUlo,aSpt[lo\ aOr buin8[dy dOr[ ik8[ jo vt]m[n my\ rotUm[ HIp pirQ[d 7vn my\ rhty 5y| k[8o]\ sy p=sNn hY\| #[\cy ko su6[rny my\ lg[ skty hY\," mh[mihm r[Q2+pit ny kh[| 'ANho\ny rotUm[ ky logo\ ko bt[8[ ik fIjI srk[r ky p[s Anho\ny p8[]vr4 s\rx4 ky mh[Tv aOr jlv[8u pirvt]n ky h[l[\ik Anky dOry k[ muW8 ADy(8 c[r s[l my\ c[r imlI8n s7I ky il8 ivk[s r4nIit8[{ hY\ aOr koe] 7I s[m[ijk- p=7[vo] pr ai6k j[gRkt[ b#>[e]| py3>o\ k[ rop4 j[rI rwn[ 5[ lyikn bujug] n[girko\ sy imln[ a[i5]k nIit8o\ aOr 8ojn[ao\ my\ pIqy nhI\ qu2yg[| Anho\ny kh[ ik es dy9 ko su\dr bn[ny ky il8 V8iKtgt 7I JRrI 5[| VULA I KELIKELI LOTULEVU, 14 NI MAJI, 2019 - KA LIMA NI TABANA - KA 10 NI VUANA Noda Viti Lasu na italanoa ni dinau

E sega ni buluti tu na bula vakailavo ni matanitu ena dinau me vaka e rogovaki cacavuka voli. Vakaraitaka tiko na tikina oqo na Minisita ni bula vakailavo ka Vunilawa Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. “Na ka dina oya ni bula vakailavo ni matanitu esa bau kaukauwa vakavinaka ka sega ni se bau oqo eliu,” kaya ko Vunilawa. “Noda Gross Domestic product e toka ena dua na vanua vinaka me vaka nida rawaka vakailavo vinaka ena 9 na yabaki sa oti ka sa tiko na tuvatuva ni veiyabaki sa tu ni na vinaka, sa lutu sobu na inflation se isau ni voli yaya kei na veiqaravi, sa lutu sobu talega na iwiliwili ni lewenivanua era sega ni cakacaka saumi.” Vakaraitaka ko A-G ni dinau nei Viti ena loma ni 2006 kina 2016 ni vaka pasede e sa lutu lotu ena GDP main a 53% ena 2006 kina na 47% ena 2016 “ Mai vakaleqa na toso vinaka oqo na vakacaca nei Winston, Gita, Keni kei Josie ni gadrevi kina dua na vakayagataki ilavo levu. ” “Noda dinau esa tiko oqo ena 50% GDP ena 2018 ka se tiko ga era. Eda vakayagataka e $500milioni ena cakacaka ni vakacokotaki. ” Vakaraitaka ko koya ni sara saumi vinaka talega na ivakaleslesi ni matanitu ka vakatututaki. Na iliuliu ni Fiji National University (FNU), Nigel Healey kei na Vunilawa Aiyaz Sayed- Khaiyum ena dua na soqo ena iTaba: ERONI VALILI . univesiti. Duavata ena nodra dokai na marama

VILIAME TIKOTANI datuvu oqo ena sega ni ciqomi va- tu,” kaya ko PM Bainimarama. soqo ni vakaraitaki cakacaka ni liga karawarawa baleta ni dua na tagane “Kevaka eda vakasamataka eda na na marama ena noda vanua edau O ira na dau vakalolomataki e mokuta na yalewa e tamata malu- raica ni dinau tiko na noda bula ena vakayacori tiko ena veiyabaki ka ra ira na marama kei na yalewa malumu. nodra veiqaravi vinaka na marama.” uqeta kina na bula tiko vinaka.” Kera tamata datuvu. Tokoni ira e lewe levu na turaga ena “Eda laveti ira cake na noda marama Tukuna ko PM Bainimarama ni sa Oqori na mala ni vosa nei Paraim- nona laveta cake ko PM Bainimara- ena noda vanua ka laurai votu na dina sega ni dodonu ena noda bula ni kua inisita Voreqe Bainimarama ena siga ma na nodra bula na marama kei na oqo ena veidigidigi ena yabaki sa oti me ra curuma tiko na marama kei na ni veivakananumi me baleti ira na yalewa. nodra mai rawata e vica nodra dabed- yalewa na bula veivakalolomataki ka marama kei na yalewa e vuravura. “Me da taura edua na gauna me da abe ena boselawa.” sa dodonu mera laveti cake ka dokai. Vakaraitaka ko PM Bainimarama vakananumi ira kina ena bibi ni nodra “Era dau ni bisinisi, era vakaitavi Vakananumi ira na marama kei na ena mona livaliva ni noda vanua e itavi vei keda na lewe ni vanua kei ena sasaga ni rawa ka vakailavo ena yalewa ena nona bula na iliuliu ni sota kaya tiko e dua na leqa ni itovo na veiqaravi vinaka era vakayacora bisini lalai kei na nodra veivuke ena Matanitu ka tukuna kina ni ra vukea dau vakalolomataki kina na marama tu ena noda vanua, vuvale vanua ni loma ni koro kei na itikotiko era bula vakalevu na nona bula me yacova na kei na yalewa ka dodonu me tagutuvi. cakacaka ka tokoni kina na bula ni kina” vanua esa mai yacova ni kua. Kuria na liuliu ni Matanitu ni itovo veivakatorocaketaki ni noda Matani- “E dua na sabolo ko ya na nodra email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj TUKUTUKU MAI NA VEIYASAI VITI phone: 3301806 Tokona na veiliutaki ni marama VILIAME TIKOTANI

A uqeti ira na soqosoqi ni daufika marama ena Snoda vanua na Minisita ni Bisinisi, Veivoli, Saravanua kei na Veivakavaletaki Premila Ku- mar mera tokana na veiliutaki ni marama ena nodra soqosoqo. Vakaraitaka okoya edua na sab- olo ni sa tubu cake na iwiliwili ni marama era lewena na palimedi mera veiliutaki ena noda vanua. Na gauna oqo e 16 na pasede na leweni palimedi era marama ka 8 na dabedabe. Kuria ni oqo edua na tubu mai na 4% ka dua naka vinaka ena noda vanua me rogoci kina na domodra na marama ena boselawa. Ena boseka ni solevu vakatauni sa bolei ira kina na lewenibose

Ko ira na lewe ni itikotiko e Wainidinu ni oti na kena mai dolavi na nodra gaunisala e Lami. kei ira na ivakalesilesi ni tauni mera dau vakilaitaka mai na va- nua eso era vakayagataka kina na ilavo ni solevu(festival). Kaya okoya ni dodonu mera bulia eso na gaunisala vou ni Marau ko Wainidinu vakasaqarai na ilavo ena gauna ni solevu. VILIAME TIKOTANI vua na Matanitu. Vakaraitaka na levu. vakatawa ko Luke Moroivalu na Nodra laki dolava tiko na bose liuliu ni tikotiko oqo ko Apakuki “Dua na gauna dredre dina vei vakavinavinaka ni Matanitu ena oqo sa kacivaka kina na minisita ARAUTAKI dina na Tabuakoro ni dua na gauna ba- keimami ka sega ni keimami bau nodra duavata ena sasaga oqo na na bibi ni kena dau vakamataila- dolavi ni gaunisala lavu eratou saga tikomai na kena tadra me keimami na muria edua leweni itikotiko e Wainidinu me laitaki na tuvaka ni vakayagataki Mvou ena itikotiko e caka na gaunisala oqo. na gaunisala vaka oqo,” kaya ko ra tauyavutaka kina na gaunisala ni ilavo ena gauna ni solevu, na Wainidinu e Lami. Tauyavu ko Tabuakoro ena itiko- Tabuakoro. oqo. kena vakamatataki na lawa ni Era matadredre e rauta ni 300 na tiko oqo ena gauna sa qai yabaki “Era vakaraitaka edua na itovo Na isau ni gaunisala oqo etiko vakayagataki ni ramolili se ka ni lewe ni vanua era vakayagataka va kina ka sa toki mai kei iratou ni sasaga ni cakacaka vata duava- ena $31,014 ka tekivuna na veivakamarautaki kei na volitaki tiko na gaunisala oqo me vaka na wekana ka ra dau sala waitui ta ena nodra rai ka ra vakadeitaka leweni itikotiko oqo e 200 na ni kakana ena gauna ni solevu. ni tauyavutaki na kena cakacaka kei na veidogo ena dua na gauna mera qarava.” mita na gaunisala oqo ni bera ni ena 2015 ni oti edua na kerekere balavu me ra yacova na gaunisala Vakaraitaka na talai veivuke vakacavara na matanitu. Oti na cakacaka ena ulunivanua e Nakauvadra VILIAME TIKOTANI

AI vakacavari na caka- caka ni vakavinakati Mni uciwai ena Nakaub- vadra mai Rakiraki. Na isau ni cakacaka oqo etiko ena $1.3na milioni ka tekivutaki ena 2018 ka sa tarova na waluvu edau ya- covi tiko ena yasana ko Ra kei na tauni. Oqo e wilikina na kena samaki na benu mai na loma ni uciwau na Nakauvadra ka kautani kina na tolo ni kau kei na tao ni nuku ena loma ni uciwai. Na balavu ni vanua e yacova na Ko Minisita ni Bula Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, na iVukevuke ni Minisita ni Veika Vakaitaukei Selai Adimaitoga kei ira na vei turaga ni tikina ena yasana ko Ra ena nodra bose ni benu oqo e tiko ena 3.5 nakilomi- yasana. iTaba: LITIA VULAIDAUSIGA ta ka 1 na kilomita ena tauni ko Rakiraki ka 2.5 na kilomita ena botoni kawakawa. Vakadeitaki na yasana ko Ra Tiko ena soqo na Minisita ni Tei- VILIAME TIKOTANI Vakavinavinakataki ira na mata- 2019 ena kauta mai edua na Kuria na iVukevuke ni Minisita tei kei na Uciwai ko Mahendra bose na iVukevuke ni Minisita bula vou ena matavuvale kece vei ira na bose ni yasana ni do- Reddy ka laki tavoca talega na A tu vakarau na Matanitu ena nodra qaravi itavi ena loma ena noda vanua me vaka ni na donu mera tarogi ira na itaukei vuli me baleta na qarauni ni benu me qaravi ira kece na lewe ni yasana ka tokaruataka ko raica kece na veiyasana kei na se cava era rawa ni qarava se vakaca. Na inaki ni vuli oqo mera Sni vanua ena yasana ko Ra koya na rai ni matanitu baleta na itagede ni bula ena noda vanua solia me vakatoroicaketaki kina kila na nodra itavi na ivakalesile- vaka kina na vanua ko Viti. veiqaravi ena noda vanua. ko ira na matua kei ira na sega na bula raraba ena loma ni vei- si ena kena vakauakauwa taki na Oqori na vakamacala nei Oqo e vakatabakidua ena ni tuvaki vinaka tu na yagodra yasana kei na vanua ko Viti. lawa ni Litter Act 2008. Oqo ena iVukevuke ni Minisita ni Tabana tuvaka vaka ilavo vakamatanitu se bula,” kaya iVukevuke ni “Na laveti ni bula raraba ni ma- vukea na kena vakalailaitaki na ni Veika Vakaitaukei ko Selai ena 2018-2019 me vaka esa ka- Minisita . tanitu edua na usutu ni bula ni benu vakaca. Adimaitoga. civaka na Paraiminisita ni noda “Ni marau na matavuvale ena veiqaravi ni matanitu ena loma Era 300 na ivakalesilesi era mai E a dolava na bose levu ni vanua Voreqe Bainimarama. marau na tikina ka dewa yani ni tikina kei na yasana ena noda vakadeitaki ena vuli oqo mera yasana ko Ra ko Minisita Adi- “Na tuvatuva ni veiqaravi ena yasana ka yacova sara yani vanua,” kaya ko iVukevuke ni dau vakaukauwa taka na lawa. maitoga ena mua ni vula sa oti. vakailavo ni matanitu 2018- na noda vanua.” Minisita

2 Lotulevu, 14 ni Maji, 2019 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj TUKUTUKU MAI NA VEIYASANA phone: 3301806 Dolavi na vakatutu ni tuvaka vakailavo VILIAME TIKOTANI matanitu ena yabakai ka tu mai. kina vei ira na gonevuli na Minisita ni sa kena A tekivuna na Minisita ni Bula Vakaila- Vakaraitaka ko Minisita Sayed-Khaiyum ni gauna vinaka me da sa kua ni vakayagataka na Ko Peresitedi Joji Konrote kei na nona lewe ni vale ko Sarote Konrote vo, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum na vakatutu dola na katuba oqo vei ira na lewe ni vanua me palasitika ena noda vanua. Sa tiko na ituvatuva e na nodrau vukei ira toka na me baleta na tuvatuva vakailavo ni Ma- ra biuta na yacadra, vanua era vakaitikotiko ni Matanitu me tarovi na vakayagataki ni pala- gonevuli ni Christ the King Primary S tanitu ni 2019-2020. kina kei na nodra vakanananu. sitika ena yabaki 2020. E dua talega na ulutaga School ena tei kau e Rotuma. iTaba: SOLO LEWANAVANUA Na veiqaravi oqo e vakayacori ena mona liva- Vakayacori na veitalanoa oqo ena mona liva- ka vakamacala kina na Minisita sai koya na va- liva ni matanitu se Fijian Government Face- liva ka vakarautaki talega na kena isau ni vaka- karautaki ni 40,000 na cakacaka vou ena noda book ka vakatarai kina vei ira na lewe ni vanua tataro ena siga Lotulevu ena macawa sa oti, mai vanua ena loma ni lima na yabaki. Oqo na itu- ‘Na veiliutaki me vakacuruma na nona vakatutu se vakanana- na 5pm-8pm. kutuku e vakarautaki mai na matabose ni ilavo e baleta na nu me baleta na tuvatuva ni bula vakailavo ni Ena veitalanoa sa tekivu rawa, e vakaraitaka musuki ni tamata cakacaka. doudou kei na tutaka na dina’ Donu vinaka SOLO LEWANAVANUA na veivuke A veiliutaki e caka- caka ni tamata dou- e Macuata Ndou kei na tutaka na dina. VILIAME TIKOTANI Oqori na ivakasala nei tur- aga Peresitedi Jioji Konrote dua na misini vou ni qaqi vei ira na gonevuli ni Ro- raisi era ciqoma na dautei- tuma High School ena nodra Etei mai Lagalaga, Macuata, taura na nodra beji ni veil- ena macawa ni cakacaka oqo ka iutaki. laki soli kina vei ira ko Minisita ni “Oi kemuni na nodra iliuliu Teitei Mahendra Reddy. na goneyalewa kei na gon- Vakarautaka na Minisitiri ni Tei- etagane kau gadreva meu re- tei e $1200 vei ira na dauteitei kivata kaya kei kemuni kece. me vukea na nodra tea na raisi ka Au gadreva meu vakanan- vakalevu taka talega na nodra itei- umi kemuni ni veiliutaki e tei. cakacaka ni veiqaravi. Na Vakaraitaka ko Minisita Reddy veiliutaki oya na vuku ni ni matanitu ena tomana tikoga na rawata na veika o vinakata nodra veivuke vei ira na dauteitei mera cakava na tamata ka me yacova na gauna era tamusuka ra na vakayacora vei iko ke- kina nodra itei. vaka era vakabauti iko ka ra Kuria okoya na itukutuku ni kena yalodei vei iko,” kaya ko HE raici vakamatua na tei ni raisi se

Konrote. teitei me vaka edua na bisinisi ka Ko Minisita ni Teitei Dr Mahendra Reddy ena nona solia vakailoloma ki vei ira na dauteitei e Lagalagala, Macuata e dua na misini vou ni “Dodonu mo vulica na va- sa yaga kina na nodra vakarogoca qaqi raisi. iTaba: JOSAIA RALAGO karorogo. Na vakarorogo e matua na ivakasala mai na minisiti- vakacaca na dautei raisi ena tiko- Esa veivakauqeti talega na noda rai baleta na teitei. Na matan- tekivu mai vale ni yacova na ri baleta na itei kei na walewale ni tiko ko Nubu, Lagalaga, Kurukuru, Minisita vei ira na dauteitei mai itu esa vakayacora tiko nodra itavi gauna ni nomuni veiliutaki.” kena qaravi na itei. Baqa yaco sara yani ki Kilikoso. Natabe me ra raica na cakacaka ni sa qai waraki talega na itavi ni “Ke vaka o veiliutaki ena Vakaraitaka ko Ami Chand na Era na vakarau ciqoma talega teitei me vaka edua na itavi caka- lewe ni vanua vakabibi na dautei- dodonu mo vuku. Nomu ivukevuke ni peresitedi ena so- nodra misini ni iqaqi ni raisi na caka ka sega ni ka ni vakayagataki tei.” kilaka e bibi vei iko keiira ko qosoqo ni dautei raisi e Nadoqo dauteitei mai Natabe e Daku kei ena gauna galala walega. E rua na macawa na nodra siko liutaka tiko.” ni misini oqo era vukei kina 100 Solove e Seaqaqa. “Ena sega ni rawa ni vaka oqo na voli ena vualiku na minisita. Sega ni tavoya rawa ko Ju- lian Ufamarat edua na mara- ma yabaki 48 mai na koro ko Pepjei ena nona mai digitaki Vakadreti na lawa ni taqomaki ni veikau na luvena ko Jerran Yabaki 18 me iliuliu ni gonevuli SOLO LEWANAVANUA tagane. “Marautaka vakalevu na A kerea ko Josateki Vave e dua na turaga siga nikua nona sa mai digi- yabaki 88 e Qelekuro, Tailevu, ki vua na taki na luvequ me nodra SMinisita ni Veikau, Osea Naiqamu me liuliu tagane na gonevuli e laveta cake tale na kena vakadreti na lawa bale- Rotuma High School. Oqo ta na taqomaki ni noda veikau. e imatai ni gone ena neitou “Au mai dabe tiko ena bose oqo baleta na vuvale me digitaki ena itavi noqu kerekere vua na matanitu me vakadreta oqo ka dua na voro isausau,” vinaka talemada na wai ni lawa ka taqomaka na kaya ko Umafarat. veikau,” kaya ko Vave. E kaya ko Jerran ni ka dokai Taleitaka na nodrau sota kei na Minisita ko vua na nodra mai toqa vua ko Vave ka diva lesu me rau a sota ena nodra gauna peresitedi na i vakatakara- se tu donu kina me vakaraitaka na nodra iteitei. taka ni liuliu ni gonevuli. Vakaraitaka ko Vave na nodra nanuma me ra Veisiko wavoki na peresit- kila vinaka na lewe ni vanua na iyaga ni teitei edi ena koro e vitu e na yani- me vaka na tei kau me baleti ira na kawa mai uyanu ko Rotuma ka tekivu muri. talega kina na tei kau me “Eda vakila ni kua na revurevu ni draki veisau vaka na sasaga ni Matanitu ena noda Viti ka sa bibi kina me ra tei tikoga ena va na yabaki. vakalevu na kau me rawa ni sabaya na ka kece Na Minisita ni Veikau ko Osea Naiqamu kei Josateki Vave ena nona veisko voli Qelekuro, Taillevu. Taba: ERONI VALILI oqo,” kaya ko Vave. Lotulevu 14 ni Maji, 2019 3 ITAKITAKI E NA LOMA NI MACAWA email: [email protected]; l @FijiRepublic; l Fijian Government; l visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj l phone: 3301806 ITAKITAKI E NA LOMA NI MACAWA

Marama dau ni Qaravi na veibulu vei Paul Manueli bisinisi ni Pasifika A vulagi dokai na marama Minisita ni Marama, Gone kei na Valuti ni Bula Mai qaravi na veibulu Dravudravua o Mereseini Vuniwaqa vakamataivalu vua na Minisita ena soqo ni marama dau ni bisinisi ni matanitu vakacegu ka uasivi duadua ni Pasifika ena loma matai talega ni noda sotia me ni yabaki me vaka a vakayacori ena commander ni mataivalu ena rara na Churchil Park e Lautoka. Sivia e lewe 3000 na marama ena noda vanua ni oti na nodra noda vanua kei na Pasifika era a veiqaravi na kai peritania ena yaco yani kina. noda vanua, ko Colonel Paul Vakabibitaka kina o Minisita Manueli. Vuniwaqa na nodra dau tokoni tiko Era matataka na matanitu na ena nodra sasaga na marama. liuliu ni Matanitu Paraiminisita “Na rai yawa ni Matanitu o Viti me Voreqe Bainimarama ena soqo voroka na ilati e dau tarova tiko na oqo ka laki bulu ko Manueli nodra toso ki liu na marama ka mera ena bulubulu ni mataivalu e qaravi vakataucoko ka marautaka na Lovonilase, Suva. Ni bera oqo e vakayacori e dua na lotu e na valenilotu ni Wesele ni Rotuma e Rewa Street, Suva ka muria edua na voleni keina maji vakamataivalu ena loma ni tauni Veitalanoa me baleta na suka Era osota yani vakalewe levu na dau tei dovu mai Seaqaqa na boseka ka veitalanoataki kina na tei dovu me baleta na bisinisi ni suka. Oqo era mai lewena na ivakalesilesi vakamatanitu me ra mai rogoca talega kina na nodra vakatutu se nanuma na lewe ni vanua vakauasivi oira na veiqaravi voleka ena tei dovu. Tiko ena boseka oqo na iliuliu ni Fiji Sugar Corportaion (FSC) ko Graham Clarke ka vaka kina na iVukevuke ni Minisita ni Suka ko . E ratou veisiko ena vanua levu vei ira na dau teitei. iTaba: JOSAIA RALAGO

Soli na waqa ni qoli E ra laki solia edua na waqa e Tailevu. waitui ka sega ni vanua levu 23 na fiti kei na dua na Vakaraitaka ko Verasa sara neitou vanua ka sega idini 74 na horse power na Tuisawaqa na nodra turaga ni ni rawa kina na teitei ka na vunivola tudei ni minisitiri ni koro ni taleitaka vakalevu na vukei keimami sara vakalevu qoliqoli ko Craig Strong kivei yalo ni veikauwaitaki kei na na waqa oqo me kani rawaka ira na soqosoqo ni dauqoli e veivuke ni matanitu vakailavo.” Nasilai ena nodra valevakoro “Keimami kana mai ena iTaba: RUPENI VATUBULI

4 Lotulevu, 14 ni Maji, 2019 5 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj TUKUTUKU MAI NA VEIYASAI VITI phone: 3301806 Dolavi na wai ni gunu

VILIAME TIKOTANI

ra matalau na lewe ni koro e Nakavika, ESeaqaqa e Macuata ena kena mai dolavi vou na nodra wai ni gunu mai vua na Minisita ni Cakacaka Jone Usumate. Vakaraitaka na Minisita ni Vakarautaki ni wai ni gunu Savasava edua vei ira na veiqaravi bibi ena noda vanua me laveti kina na nodra bula. “Oqo edua na usutu ni bula ena dua na tikotiko oya mer- awa ni vakavinakataki kina na nodra bula ena veisiga,” kaya ko Minisita Usumate. Na Minisita ni Cakacaka, Veilakoyaki Jone Usamate ena nona dolava na veivakalivalivataki e Seaqaqa e na nona veisiko voli ena Vualiku. iTaba: JOSAIA RALAGO “Gadrevi me ra bula vinaka na lewenivanua kece sara ena noda vanua ka mera vakarau- taki ena wai ni gunu savasava me baleta na gunu, vakasaqa, savasava ka mera savasava Sivia na 6000 na vale kina.” Kuria ko minisita ni ko ira na lewe ni vanua era dau vakaya- gatakina tu e liu na uciwai me baleta nodra gagadre ni wai era e vakalivalivataki sa na vakayagataka na wai mai na nodra loma ni vale. VILIAME TIKOTANI “Ena neitoui tuvaka vakailavo keitou solia na na ivolavola dusidusi ni ‘Rai kina vualiku’. “Sa tara vou edua na tiko kina e $60 na milioni me vukei tale kina “Sovaraka na matanitu e $2.1milioni me dam ka rawata ni tawana e ovaraka e $224 na milioni na matanitu e 6,623 na matavuvale me kuria ni wiliwili ni baleta na veiqaravi oqo me vakatetei na liva- 45,460litres na wai merawa ena lima na yabaki sa oti me qaravi kina lewenivanua era sa vukei taumadama,” kaya liva ki Navai stage 2,”kaya ko Minisita. ni vakadrodroya talega kina Sna veivakalivalivataki ena noda vanua ko Minisita Usamate “Vakayacori talega na semati ni veivakalival- na wai ni gunu savasava vei ka me laveti kina na bula ena veisiga. “Na power grid oqo ena vukei kina e 118 na ivataki e Seaqaqa ena Solove stage 1 kena isau ira na lewenivanua,” kaya ko Vakaraitaka na tikina oqo na Minisita ni matavuvale ka tiko ena $3.4milioni na kena e $3.3 na milioni, ka vukei kina e 106 na mata- Minisita. Veilakoyaki Jone Usumate ena soqo ni dola- ilavo.” vuvale, e Lagalaga ena $4.45milioni ka vukei “Me kua ni kunei e dua na vi ni livaliva mai Seaqaqa ka tukuna kina ni Kuria ko Minisita ni ratou sa tekivuna edua kina e 264 na matavuvale.” lewe ni vanua se vuvale ena 25,000 na lewe ni vanua era na vukei mai kina na ilakolako vou ena laveti ni nodra bula na “Oqo mai vakaraitaki tale kina na cakacaka nodra vakasaqarai wai ni gunu ena veiqaravi oqo. lewenivanua ena noda vanua me vaka e tuku- vinaka sa vakayacora tiko na matanitu.” kau na sasaga vakaukauwa. Marautaki na siko nei Lesuvi na Minisita Reddy italanoa kei VILIAME TIKOTANI Ositerelia ARAUTAKI vakalevu mai vei ira MARICA CAUCAU na dauteitei ena na nodra veisiko na MMinisita ni Teitei Mahendra Reddy ra sotava na Minisita ni Veivanua- kina Vualiku baleta ni rawa nira talanoataka tani kei Ositerelia H. E. Ms. Marise kina eso na bolebole era sotava tiko ena nodra EPayne na noda Paraiminisita Voreqe bula. Bainimarama ena boseka levu ni dodonu ni Oqori na ka e vakaraitaka na daunivakasala tamata yadua ni matabose cokovata kei vu- nodra na dauteiteti ko Viliame Kinikinilau. ravura vakayacori mai Geneva. “Keimami taleitaka na yalo ni veiqaravi va- Vakavinavinakati Viti na Minisita mai karaitaka mai na Minisita ena nodra vesiko Ositerelia ena nona sa lewena na council ni voli mai me talanoa kei ira na dauteitei ka to- UNHRC se matabose ni dodonu ni tamata volea me walia na nodra leqa se bolebole era yadua. sotava.” Erau lesuva talega na veika erau talanoata- Vakadeitaki ira na minisita ena veivuke ni la na Paraiminisita kei Osieterelia ena nodra veiqaravi ka vakarautaki mai na tabana me veisiko mai ena noda vanua me vaka na baleta na cakacaka ni keli ni salaniwai, vaka- veitaqomaki, bisinisi kei na veivoli, tiko bu- baitaki ni teitei kei na vuqa tale ka ni sega ni labula, vuli keina cakacaka. dua ena vakuwai mai kina. Vakavinavinakataki Ositeterelia na noda “Sega ni veisau na rai se tuvatuva ni matan- Paraiminisita ena itavi ni veitokoni ka va- itu baleta nodra vukei na dauteitei,” kaya ko karaitaka me baleta na itavi nei Viti ena minisita. veiqaravi ni veitaqomaki ena tokalau e loma. “ Au sa uqeti kemuni kina mo ni vakaya- Vakaraitaka ko PM Bainimarama na nodra gataka na veivuke ni matanitu me tubu kina marautaka na nona mai digitaki ko Viti me nomu ni teitei me vaka ni oqo edua na inaki lewena ka vukevuke ni veiliutaki ena UN levu ni matanitu ka me yacova yani na itagede Human Rights Council ka tomana ni na tota- ni bisinisi me rawa ni vakau kina na kakana ki ka tiko ko Viti na veimatanitu lalai ena loma vanua tani.” Ko Paraiminisita Voreqe Bainimarama kei na Minisita ni Veivanua tani kei Ositerelia ko Marise ni matabose oqo kei na bibi ni cakacaka vata Payne ena boselevu ni dodonu ni tamata yadua ni matabose cokovata kei vuravura ka vakayacori “Sa dodonu mo ni taurivaka cake na bisinisi e Geneva. iTaba: MARICA CAUCAU kei ira na veimatanitu eso ena vuravura. ni teitei.”

6 Lotulevu, 14 ni Maji, 2019 email: [email protected]; @FijiRepublic; Fijian Government; visit us @ www.fiji.gov.fj TUKUTUKU MAI NA VEIYASANA phone: 3301806

Ko Peresitedi Jioji Konrote, na nona lewe ni vale Sarote Konrote kei ira na lewe ni Rotuma Council ena nodra veisiko voli tiko na turaga Peresitedi e Rotuma ena macawa sa oti. iTaba: SOLO LEWANAVANUA Lagiti na bula nei Oira na tui kei Rotuma era sa vakatetea tiko yani na nodra vakavinavinaka nomu sa mai digitaki mo Peresitedi Konrote Peresitedi kei Viti, na imatai ni gone ni Rotuma SOLO LEWANAVANUA ma Council ko Gagaj Kauseraf ni ko Konrote avi vakavanua me neimami ka ni vakavinavi- me yacova edua na esa nodra icibi na kai Rotuma baleta na ka esa naka vei kemuni, edua na luvei Rotuma. tutu cecere ena ra vakacaucautaka na cavu isausau ni rawaka ena nodra veiqaravi vakacakacaka. Me vakaloumanataki iko tiko na Kalou ka veiqaravi ni noda veiqaravi nodra na turaga na Peresitedi “Ko ira na tui kei Rotuma era sa vakatetea taqomaki iko tiko ena nomu bula ni veiqaravi matanitu. E Jioji Konrote na vitu na tui e Rotuma. tiko yani na nodra vakavinavinaka nomu sa vakacakacaka ena vale ni volavola cecere ena Vakayacori na soqo oqo ena nodra veisiko mai digitaki mo Peresitedi kei Viti, na imatai noda vanua.” voli e Rotuma ena loma ni dua na macawa ni gone ni Rotuma me yacova edua na tutu E sauma ko Peresitedi Konorote ka kaya ni Gagaj Kauseraf sa oti. cecere ena veiqaravi ni noda matanitu,” kaya doka vakalevu na nodra veikauwaitaki na tui Liuliu ni bose ni Rotuma Council Era bose ka kei ira na tui se lewe ni Rotuman ko Kaseraf. kei Rotuma ka dua na itovo cecere me rau ki- Council. Vakaraitaka na liuliu ni bose ni Rotu- “Keimami vakarautaka oqo edua na veiqar- davaki vakavanua vakaturaga kei na watina. Liutaka ko Peresitedi na ibole ni mate sureti SOLO LEWANAVANUA

I veisautaka na nomuni tovo ni bula ena veisi- ga. Oqori na nodra vosa na Peresitedi Jioji NKonrote vei ira na lewe ni vanua e Rotuma ena rai ni kena valuti na mate sureti. Veisiko voli ena yanuyanu ciri yawa ko Rotuma ka bolei ira ena itovo ni tiko bulabula baleta ni tubu sara- tiko na mate sureti vei ira na lewenivanua. “ Vakayagataka na Matanitu e rauta ni $406 na mil- ioni ena valuti ni mate sureti kei na mate veiwekani vata kaya. Na sede oqo keda raica ni rawa ni vakaya- gataki ena tara ni gaunisala se so tale na cakacaka ni veiqaravi me vakatoroicaketaki kina na bula raraba ni Ko radini Peresitedi Sarote Konrote kei ira na gonevuli ni lewenivanua,” kaya ko peresitedi. Christ the King Primary School ena nodra tei kau tiko e Rotuma. iTaba: SOLO LEWANAVANUA “Au via vosa ena bibi ni noda qarauna na noda bula ena veisiga. O Viti elevu na nona iyau bula ka rawa nida tea na keda. Sa dodonu meda veisautaka na noda ivakarau ni kana ena veisiga ka vakaukauwa yago ka moce ena kena gauna donu. Me vaka niu mata ni mate sureti ena Pasivika au gadreva me dua na Viti bulabula na noda Viti. Au via raica nira sega ni tamata tauvi- mate na noda lewenivanua baleta ni vanua bulabula ena vanua kaukauwa nona rawaka. Vakavinavinakataki Peresitedi na lewe ni matabose ni koronivukli e Motusa ko Onisimo Managreve ena nodra vosa ni matua vei ira na gonevuli. ”Keimami kaloumana vakalevu nomuni mai tiko maliwai keimami nikua ka keimami na taura na ivakasala oqo me keimami laveta kina na neimami bula ena veisiga ka vakakina na drake veisau,” kaya ko Managreve. “Keimami sa masuta na Kalou bula me vakalou mana Ko Peresitedi Jioji Konrote, na nona lewe ni vale Sarote Ko Peresitedi Jioji Konrote ena nona veisiko voli ena yanuyanu ko Rotuma. Konrote kei na dua na lewe ni vanua e Rotuma. tiko na nomuni gauna ni veiliutaki.” iTaba: SOLO LEWANAVANUA iTaba: SOLO LEWANAVANUA

Lotulevu, 14 ni Maji, 2019 7 VULA I KELIKELI LOTULEVU, 14 NI MAJI, 2019 - KA LIMA NI TABANA - KA 10 NI VUANA Noda Viti

Na Minisita ni Marama, Gone kei na Valuti ni Dravudravua Mereseini Vuniwaqa kei ira na marama vuli ena Makoi Vocational Trainig Centre, Nasinu, ni oti na nodra tauri vola ena macawa sa oti.. iTaba: EMI KOROITANOA Nanumi na marama kei na gone yalewa VOLA KO EMI KOROITANOA sai koya na “vakasama vakatautauvata, nodra vuli. “Na vakalevutaki ni vakatauvatani ni VAKADEWATAKA KO VILIAME TIKOTANI yalomatua ena buli ka kei na veisau. “Na kena veisautaki tiko na porokaramu ni dodonu oqo ena veiwekani voleka ena vuli “Na noda rawata na kena vakatauvatani ni vuli e Makoi ena vakatotolotaka na veisau kei na tiko bulabula.” A soqo ni vakananumi ni nodra tagane kei na yalewa ena veiqaravi raraba ka dua na ka marautaki ena veiqaravi baleti Vakaraitaka na minisita ni matanitu esa siga na marama e vuravura edua ena sega ni guileca kina edua,” kaya ko ira na marama.” vakadonuya na iyalayala ni nodra qaravi Nna sabolo vinaka me da tokona Minisita. Kuria ko Minisita Vuniwaqa ni oqo edua vinaka kei na qarauni na marama ena lawa kina na nodra bula kei na itavi bibi era “Oqo edua dina na soqo meda rekitaka talega na iyalayala ni matanitu ka ya- ni CEDAW 1995 ka sa vakailavotaki tiko qarava ena veisiga. vata baleta ni laurai kina na veiqaravi vei- vutaki mai ena iyalayala ni veiqaravi levu mai ena loma ni 10 vakacaca na yabaki ena Oqori na mala ni nodra vosa na Minisita ni vakatauvatani ena noda bula raraba.” ena matabose cokovata kei vuravura se 300%. Marama, Gone, kei na Valuti ni Dravudra- Vosa tiko ko Minisita ena nodra tuvai- UN2030. Solia na matanitu e $300,000 na ilavo kina vua Mereseini Vuniwaqa. tutu na marama ena koronivuli na Makoi “Na nodra tokoni na marama ena bula ni Makoi center me baleta na veiqaravi oqo. Sa dodonu kina me da tokona na caka- Vocational Training Center ka qarava tiko rawaka vakailavo edua na usutu ni veiqar- “Ni ra rawaka vakailavo na marama ena caka ni veivakatauvatani ni bula raraba ni na Fiji Muslim league ni sasaga ni veivuke avi oqo me vaka ga ni nodra dodonu na vakilai ena bula ni matavuvale baleta nira tagane kei na yalewa. Tukuna ko Minisita vaka oqo ena vukei ira ka laveta nodra bula marama edua na dodonu ni tamata yadua,” dau sovaraka lesu na ilavo oqo kina loma Vuniwaqa ni ikau ni soqo ena yabaki oqo na marama ka sega ni ra rawata vinaka sara kaya ko Minisita. ni vuvale.”