Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

WEEKEND READING.  ♦ Why the Roadmap? Part III by Crosbie Walsh ♦ The two postings on Friday.


Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

From Cybernet to Internet Nanny

Well, what else is new!  Some parents are using internet cafes to baby sit their children while they go out and party. Is this really true? What kind of people would do this?  I remember the times when parents would get the TV to babysit children, now it’s the internet. Furthermore, some parents leave their children with neighbours and some parents just leave their children, alone at home.

We hear of these instances when a house burns down and we find out the parents had gone to drink grog, party or gone to a church meeting. Some people leave their children at home and when they go past the neighbour’s home they call out to say the children are at home and if they can pop in from time to time. And when they come home the first thing they see are the blue blinking lights of the police and the fire engine and they cross their fingers that they aren’t parked at their home. Then they see a body bag come out and they rush to see the charred remains of their children being carried out. These people should never have had children. Oh, how my heart aches for these children. Just writing this brings tears.

Parents whose children die or get hurt because of neglect should be taken in and reprimanded and given a two week study on how to be a responsible parent.  Fining them is not the way to go  because the children are affected by money lost in fines. 

The police can’t be everywhere.   May I suggest that during every festive season the police force deputise prominent citizens who are willing to work for free and with the police officers so that we can keep Fiji safe. The deputies can be called Peace Officers. They will only be allowed to check and report on the safety of children and fellow citizens. In this way, the  police will have extra eyes on the road and in towns.

I am certainly willing to work for free, and I am sure others will be too, if we  can ensure our vigilance will make the city safer for our  family and friends, especially for our children.