The cases the Chief Registrar Ana Rokomokoti is prosecuting -- and about which CCF objects because of her roles as Registrar and prosecutor-- involve two lawyers and a law firm. Between them the lawyers face 21 charges of alleged professional misconduct, one from six years ago.
Free Bus Fares for Elderly and Disabled. The Land Transport Authority is proposing the elderly and disabled pay no bus fares between 9am to 2.30pm and half fares outside these times. A levy on fuel would meet the cost. The LTA is also proposing it should collect all outstanding court fines which now stand at over $28 million dollars.
More than 2,000 water pipe leaks were repaired along the Suva Nausori corridor between January and June. Most of the pipes are more than thirty years old.
The Housing Authority is still waiting final approval from the Chinese government on the $35m loan, already approved by Exim Bank, that will fund the Tacirua East, Raiwaqa and Raiwai housing developments, which is part of the authority's five-year development plan. Other housing projects under way at Wainibuku, Nasinu, outside Suva. CEO Alipate Naisosui says there had been positive feedback. Some $189.4m will be spent on development during the next five years. The total Chinese loan is likely to be $70m, of which $20m will be used to construct Public Rental Board homes.
Chinese tourist numbers are expected to boom with increased airlines servicing Fiji and a direct flight from China to Nadi.
With direct flights from LA to Nadi and some resorts offering 50% or more discounts, one Los Angeles travel agency is recommending Fiji with the proviso "The State Department has urged citizens 'to carefully consider' whether to travel there, though that's different from an outright travel warning. If you're still game, a WSJ feature sure makes it sound nice."
The Fiji Sugar Corporation that supports that directly and indirectly supports 200,000 people's has recorded an operating loss of F$36.8 million (after tax) Fiji dollars FYE May. With a wry sense of humur, the Fiji Daily Post reported it as "FSC Incurs Sweet Loss."
EU Money. Australian Network News claims Fiji was offered US$200m by the EU on condition it held elections in 2010. 'I don't know anything of that type of offer," said Bainimarama. "I have not been offered, or Fiji has not been offered, that kind of funding in the last six months."
C'Wealth Games. Commonwealth leaders will decide in late November whether Fiji's athletes can participate in the 2010 New Dehli Commonwealth Games.
Fiji will host the next Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting late next year. Bainimarama said MSG countries want to continue talking with Fiji but that cannot happen in the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum as Fiji has been suspended. However, he rejects suggestions that this could be the beginning of a new Pacific Islands Forum excluding Australia and New Zealand.
1 comment:
There should be no time limitation on cases of alleged professional misconduct by lawyers, abuse of trust funds or straightforward corruption. I have had two instances of malfeasance reported to me in the past month. So, it is still going-on. These lawyers have to be brought to book. All the good ones should ensure that their brother and sister lawyers are made accountable. They have brought the profession into disrepute. The justice system in Fiji depends upon lawyers to represent those who seek justice or those who have been charged with criminal conduct. Look at Bernie Madoff. He is now being investigated for crimes he commited through his financial empire's Ponzi Scheme as far back as 1970s and 1980s. Quite rightly. This is to ensure that some measure of compensation may be paid to his fleeced investors. No statutory limitations should apply to fraud and corruption by professionals who have abused the trust of their clients if evidence exists.
Post a Comment