Cakaudrove paramount chief, the Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu (photo) has said all money earned from the province's qoliqoli (traditional fishing grounds) will be used only for education. It is pleasing to read about Ratu Naiqama talking on fishing, though I doubt he's consulted any of the numerous mataqali who "own" the qoliqoli.
Far better than his support for the army mutiny at Sukanaivalu Barracks in Labasa during the 2000 Speight Coup, or his parliamentary leadership role in 2001 as an ethnic extremist CAMV politican, and far, far better than 2003 when, unbelievably, he called for all political authority to be returned to Fijian chiefs -- like it was before 1874! -- starting with the Great Council of Chiefs replacing Senate.
A Political Item by The Fiji Times!
PM Bainimarama says Rugby Union acting chief executive Keni Dakuidreketi has to resign while he faces corruption charges. FRU chairman Bill Gavoka begs to differs. The Fiji Times reported this exchange, its first political feature in months. Dare we say, Welcome Back.
FNPF Needs to Have Some Investment Offshore. Fiji Market Too Small
In 2005 (before the Bainimarama Coup) the Reserve Bank told the Fiji National Provident Fund to repatriate over $300m in offshore investments to bolster critically low foreign reserve levels. This unexpectedly saved the pension fund from the global financial market crash, but it is now preventing the Fund from diversifying its portfolio and earning "good" returns for its members.
It is difficult to put its $3 billion-plus investment portfolio into the domestic markets, though the Fund has invested in government bonds, government papers, treasury bills and bank fixed deposits. It's attempt to diversify into the hotel industry was a disaster and the Fund is now trying to sell three non-performing hotel projects. Click here for full report.
PACER Plus
Fiji Live reports: the PI Forum Trade Ministers will meet in Brisbane next weekend to negotiate the PACER Plus regional trade agreement -- without Fiji.
3 comments:
It is hard to overestimate the significance of an editorial in the Fiji Times newspaper which advocates in a firm but comprehensive way the requirement for the incumbent CEO of the Fiji Rugby Union to step aside despite the fool-hardy support of the Chair and board for him to remain. Why should it be so difficult for us to 'get' the reasons behind the ethical necessity for someone in Keni Dakuidreketi's position to remove himself? This ought to be an individual response. The board should not have too much to say other than: 'Thank you for past services and thank you for having the good grace to relieve us from an embarrassing situation'. We shall keep your position open should you be found 'Not guilty'. In the meantime, we have a Rugby Union to run.
Yet, in the past twenty years since the 1987 coup d'etat, Fiji has found itself increasingly unable to act ethically where the use of public money has been concerned. This is a great moral failing as well as a failing of honourable and ethical conduct. We need to enquire fastidiously WHY?
It is surely not too difficult for us to examine HOW and WHY leadership has failed us so badly, so intrinsically and to such a damning outcome?
Let the task begin now. It is long overdue. We might start by setting one or two things to right: the handling of public money first and foremost.
@ S.O.E.
If, however, there are conflict of interest issues going on within the Fiji RFU then we have a 'whole new ballgame'. Are there? Time for a full, transparent enquiry. Conflicts of interest have brought Fiji to her knees. If there was one, overriding ethical consideration in the past twenty years, this is it.
Conflicts of interest and good corporate governance are inimical and incompatible. ALWAYS. They are also inimical and incompatible to good, national governance ALWAYS.
The Fiji Times editorial failed to take note of this possibility/probability. Why?
If Keni is in a conflict of interest situation, he should come clean now. Or Digicel should. What double-talk. Transparency? I don't think so.
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