Mr Oti's delegation also met with the Attorney General and Minister for Industry and Trade Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum for discussions on cooperation and collaboration on trade and investment, and Fiji's Commerce Commission, the Consumer Council and labour laws.
WOMEN SAY NO TO VIOLENCE. More than 400 women will march to the Suva City Council foreshore today to mark the official launching of the 16 Days of Activism on the elimination of violence against women and children. Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni said she had seen alarming statistics of violence against women and children in the recent past and there needs to be a concerted effort to curb it.The programme launched today will end with the Human Rights Day on December 10. Dr Luveni is calling on people from all walks of life to join in celebrating this day as we all need to work together to eliminate violence in our society.”
Department of Women director, Mrs Salote Radrodro, said the ministry had organised training with police officers to raise the level of awareness about the Domestic Violence and Child Welfare Decree. They also want people to report cases of domestic violence by ringing 919 and 917.The ministry hopes to be able to declare communities violence-free. So far Koroipita in Lautoka and Vatutavui have been declared violence-free, and next week another village in Ra, Namuimada, will follow suit. -- Based on 2010, No: 1988/MOI.summit. -- 2010, No: 1990/MOI.
MORE ON THE RUMOURS. A reader 4.5 cents in the dollar left this comment in answer to another reader who thought we should apologize to the anti-government blog CoupFourPointfive:
"I'm sorry. I must have missed something. Which reports emanating from Coup4.5 have turned out to be true? That Frank Bainimarama is seriously ill? I've just heard him saying he's alive and well enough to play in the Rugby World Cup next year. That the so-called new order is crumbling and Frank's fellow officers are preparing for the next? Oh yeah, plenty of evidence of that up at the camp. Not. That Frank and Aiyaz have been arrested? Oh, that was a beauty. That Frank is too scared to go to India because of what he did to Mahen? Wow, amazing. And today, that Suvavou House is on fire? Oh, but sorry, just one office on the second floor and it's not as bad as we thought. And so it goes on. Can someone tell me one thing that was true? Oh, Harry Dugdale called Frank a dickhead. Oh, David Roth had lunch with Roko Ului. Just so much yabber, yabber, yabber and blah, blah,blah. They should give up over at that miserable cyber dump and so should you. Fancy having the cheek to come over here to say "we told you so" and demand an apology. More front than MH's. Coup 4.5. Natural home of the unsubstantiated rumour and propaganda lie. Certainly - after Solivakasama - the most dodgy reception on the Coconut Radio dial. Credibility? Zero. Deserving of an apology? #*#* off!"
UNIONS EXPECTS A TIGHT BUDGET. The Fiji Trades Union Congress expects a tight 2011 budget tomorrow in line with government’s policy of living within its means. National President Daniel Urai says ordinary people will want to see a further reduction in prices of basic food items, electricity charges, and an increase in wages. However the FTUC understands that the budget will have to work within the parameters of the finances available to government. Urai says government is also expected to spend a lot of money on education, infrastructure and health services while improving the tourism and sugar industry.
IMPROVING THE INVESTOR ENVIRONMENT. Speaking from China on Tuesday the PM said that Budget preparations were progressing well. An important focus will be on "improving efficiency in various regulatory bodies including FIRCA ... Turn around times and clear and transparent rules are imperative to improve business, investor and public confidence" and unnecessary "bureaucracy will be removed to enhance reforms."
"It is essential to remove bureaucracy and engage the services of capable personnel even if it means recruitment of expatriates, if that’s what has to be done to bring reforms, then the government will proceed,” he said.The PM's criticism of ineffective government services comes on the heels of talks held both in China and Fiji that highlighted the need to improve the service delivery of government bodies."If we are to attract investment, we must have the right environment and attitude to facilitate these investors." -- Based on 2010, No:1977/MOI.
TOWNS TO GO SOLAR. Ministry of Local Government director, Mr Josese Rakuita, Government is committed to reducing fuel consumption by installing solar-powered street lights at local municipalities.Businesses have been invited to show expressions of interest for the supply and installation of 70, 80 and 125 watt solar streetlights. The solar system will be installed in Tavua as early as next year. The town was selected to trial the project because of the sunnier weather in the West.The installation, which will cost around $7000 including power poles, will indicate likely saving in terms of fuel consumption. Other Western and Northern towns will follow. -- Based on 2010, No: 1986/MOI.
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11 comments:
Croz
Bainimarama made the decision to overthrow the elected government of Fiji. Everyone knows how the international community feels about this and the impact it has had on Fiji - as you say, they have the guns so we just have to live with it?
However amongst other things Bainimarama appointed himself Minister for Sugar and Minister for Finance - in any elected responsible government he would have stepped down for his failures in these portfolios.
To say he is too busy overseas to not come back and deliver the budget as the self appointed PM and Minister for Finance just does not ring the bells of confidence for me? Something in this regime is very amiss? We are talking about the future of Fiji here and like many others I am becoming increasingly concerned.
Croz, we all want the best for Fiji. Like you, I accept the reality of how this government came into power. I also accept that while many of the things that this government has done were ill-advised, at the same time this government appears to have a credible mission of reforms that would address many issues that divide us. I would even propose that should these reforms be fully implemented our future would become increasingly positive. Already, the signs are that this government has done wonders in spite of all the negative pressure from within and without. There is stability in most sectors, and issues that would have been addressed with lip-service previously are being dealt with - head on! That's the strength of this government - WILL POWER! Where political expediency once dominated the decisions and actions of previous leaders, Frank and his team reveal an uncompromising determination to do what is right by the nation - in the interest of all its people.
So there is real potential for things to work out well for Fiji under this government. As such we should put aside our differences and support its reforms. What i don't understand is why anti-government bloggers continue to hurl vindictive and spiteful criticisms and lies simply to hurt this government. Never once have they offered positive and constructive comments on how government can move the nation forward. This inability to accept the realities and move forward is i think the reason we should just ignore them completely. Let them dwell in their own la la land of hostility and vindictiveness. And let us not stoop to their level by honoring their poison-laced rumours with a response.
@ Ministerial Responsibility
I agree. The problem is systemic - the PM hires all and sundry, then when something goes wrong instead of curing the issue he blames someone for it and moves on, without fixing the problem.
They refuse to delegate, to discuss or negotiate. All they do is fumble along, making decisions of national significance on the basis of a whim or fancy. It is farcical and as you put it (and I suspect Croz agrees), very concerning.
@ JW
I wish we could all be more positive about the regime - but there has to be more public input in what they are doing.
This "my way or the highway" attitude only works in the movies. Reality is much more complicated.
Constructive criticism or commentary only works where there is an avenue for this dialogue. There isn't any. The closest we get is the blogsites because everyone gets to read and discuss those at least.
So it is all very well blaming 4.5 (or Croz) for aiding criticism but the military government has allowed the people NO other alternative. The military should truly consider whether they should be more open to debate about what they decide our future is. How about THAT for a constructive debate?
@ Radio Lucas.....
Is reality really so complicated? I for one think not. If people murder people on the streets of one of our most prominent towns then they deserve to find justice. The widow and baby son deserve justice. Justice came yesterday. We are getting closer to the goal. There are others still to find it. In 2006 this would never have happened. Be assured it would not. So great was the scandalous and shameful corruption in the Fiji Judicial System. We are not there yet but we are getting closer and closer. Dare anyone stand in our way?
Some suggested topics for debate – to get us all away from the blog v blog slanging match.....
Perhaps Croz you or reader could take some of these topics up ?
1. Who will be allowed to contest the 2014 elections ?
Which parties will be banned, will it be all previous parties or only the SDL. Which individuals will be banned from participating and based on what criteria. For example could the likes of the former PM form a new political party ? Will it be the military that decides ? And will the PM hold firm on his original promise that no one in the current interim government will be able to contend future elections ?
2. What will the role of the military be in the 12 month to elections and post elections.
Will they hold some veto power over government or will they have dedicated seats in government ? Will the commander also automatically be the president as some suggest.
3. Fiji Investment friendly or not ?
The government keeps saying it is pro-investment and investment friendly so why does no one believe them ? What do they need to do differently ? How much real new investment has there been in the last 4 years ?
4. Can we expect the PER to ever be fully lifted ?
Or is part of the roadmap to always curtail public gathering and debate similar to Singapore ? Could lifting the PER and allowing reasoned debate actually take the attention away from mischievous bog sites?
Croz
Nothing from yourself or sharon on the disastrous state of the sugar industry? A lot of people's livelihood depend on this - perhaps some honest analysis about the industry collapse over the last few years of this junta could allow us all to see what we can salvage by a return to democratic government and therefore international support?
can someone please explain to me the need for a police presence and the closure of publixc roads for a Budget accouncement ??? is this a ridiculous over-reaction again by this regime or is it a matter of 'national security', again. Why is something so dull that is barely ever attended, requires such a heavy handed approach? And this made the media.
@sara'ssista...
The dullness of the 2011 Budget for you serves as proof: you do not live in Fiji. Your ignorance therefore of the great importance of the National Budget for those of us who do, does you no favours at all. You appear dumb, overly verbose and full of hot air. What is the point of you? God only knows!
@ sara'ssista
Thank you for your comments. Well stated as usual. Thankfully we are moving back on the right path. The junta has done its dash and people are just looking at the best way to end it without to much damage. Well done to you all who have stood firm againbst this regime.
Croz, you've increasingly become a pit stop for the deluded as they venture from their permanent homes at 4.5 and Solivakasama. Some of the stuff above claiming victory for the anti-regime forces is just loopy. All this week, they've actively peddled a phantom crisis built around the supposed death or illness of the hated dictator. Then when this is exposed as a lie, they pretend nothing has happened and soldier on, assailing us again with their preposterous claims. It's so blindingly obvious that they've lost the war that all this reminds me of the celebrated Monty Python dead parrot sketch. They keep saying their cause is alive even as the evidence lies in front of them of abject failure. Tomorrow week marks the fourth anniversary of Bainimarama's coup. Is he any closer to being dislodged from his perch by these monkey's? Only in their small but fervent minds. The extent of this delusion is breathtaking.
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