There will be special posting on the Sam Speight detention and the role of Amnesty International NZ tomorrow.
N0165. OVALAU TURAGA-NI-KORO WELCOME DEVELOPMENTS. Village chiefs told visiting Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Minister, Dr Jiko Luveni, last week of the positive impact government activities were having on their communities.
Usaia Delai of Vuma village said, “We appreciate what Government is doing in terms of empowering the people in the rural and outer islands through the free text books and bus fares for the school children. This is something we had been hoping for years until now and we thank the Prime Minister and Dr Luveni for the support shown for children’s education and the financial empowerment of women through income generating programmes.”
Vagadaci village chief Isoa Saqacala echoed similar sentiments, saying that their village has descendants of Solomon islands and part Europeans but they all lived together as a family and assist each other. The Vagadaci and Wailailai communities were very pleased with government efforts to assist the poor and vulnerable in the society.
“We are really happy with the efforts and initiatives of the Government to assist the poor and disabled in the community through the bus fare subsidy and food voucher programme." He also thanked Dr Luveni the sewing machines that will enable them to make school uniforms.
Lovoni village chief Vatusaiuasi Rokoyawa recognised the genuineness of the Bainimarama government from day one when it introduced the Peoples Charter document. “ We were confident they would serve us well and that they were results based,” he said.
“ The people of Lovoni support the People's Charter for we are now seeing the developments around the country. Better services, equal opportunities created for all and initiatives by Prime Minister in terms of education for our children, bus fare subsidy for the children and now for the elderly and disabled will surely go a long way in assisting people improve their living standards. These changes speak of the commitment the Government has for its people.” -- Based on No: 499/MSWWPA.
N0166. POLICE UP THE ANTE. Former Prisons Commissioner and new Police Commissioner Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua does not mince words. Speaking at a police parade in Labasa last week he told the police officers to give of their best or find alternative employment.
"The best has yet to be seen and I have a simple definition for the word 'best' and that is honest, hard work. That's what 'best' means so if you can't give it, then you better find an alternative or some other form of employment. The people have yet to see the best of the men and women serving the force in the North."
"Fiji deserves the best from you and me. Fiji wants the best from you and me and Fiji demands the best from you and me. I have received queries from some officers asking me when we will slow down. I told them and I am telling you now that there is no slowing down for the force.
"The force is driven by a different kind of vehicle that has a 24/7 fuel with no reverse gear.The force is driven by the fourth and fifth gears only. It is the running gear, so do know there is no slowing down for us like what happens with other vehicles."
In drawing my attention to this article a reader wrote:
"Bula Croz
This guy is the real deal. A Sandhurst lad and, a true Officer and a Gentleman. The changes he made in the prison system are outstanding - wish he could have stayed on for a few more years. Next time you in Fiji visit Naboro prison and learn firsthand from the inmates. The prison officers are very customer service oriented and efficient as well. But don't let me tell you, find out for yourself the changes Naivalurua has made as Prisons Commissioner under the illegal Government, as the Kiwis and Aussies like to refer to us."
N0167. YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAMME STORY. by Sera Whippy (abbreviated).
New lives have evolved through the Yellow Ribbon awareness campaign. One such case is Jone Calevu of Viseisei Village in Vuda who was a proud supporter of the Western Division's first YR campaign in Lautoka.The Divine Security Firm and taxi owner turned a new leaf in life two years ago after living it hard for seven years. He has five children.
"It is very hard when you come out of prison. Facing society is very difficult because they normally treat us differently. With the inception of the Yellow Ribbon project in 2008 many of us re-offenders saw it as an opportunity to gain a second-chance," said Mr Calevu.
"I know what it feels like to be fresh out of prison with no one there and everyone judging you. I know this and I have felt it and I do not want this to be experienced by those who will soon be released," said Mr Calevu.
He and a few other have formed a group called the Lautoka Yellow Ribbon Association which will be jointly aiding the prison authorities in monitoring newly released inmates. "We want to grab these young people and encourage and empower them to turn a new leaf. There is a chance out there for everyone to make a change for the better," he said.
3 comments:
@ The Fiji Police Commissioner and some good, old fashioned Plain Speaking.....
What a breath of fresh air this is! To hear at last a Fiji Commissioner of Polic tell it like it is. You serve the Public of Fiji, who pay you, or you find work elsewhere! For years we have put up with crooks, thugs and imbeciles in the Fiji Police Force. Some - one hundred and ten officers, men and women, stood up and were counted in 2000. They defended Police Stations unarmed and confronted rebels who wielded stolen guns. Where are these Police Officers? where did they go? Did they all migrate elsewhere? How can it be that our Australian and New Zealand neighbours ran off to leave us to the apology for a Police Force with which we were left? Now we have a Commissioner of Police who 'demands' discipline, a proper family life and some good, honest hard work. Too right! And it is not before time that change is coming. We could not have waited much longer - it would have been too late with complete disbandment the only formula left (like Jamaica - all 17,000 of them?).
Yet still nothing from the pm to admit he got it completely wrong with the former police chief. We are suppose to believe he decided to do other things.....and then gets rewarded with os posting.
Frank if you are serious about what you preach start by being open and honest with us and stop the rule that your loyal men are protected species above doing wrong or incompetence. And remember being a loyal soldier is not a qualification to do much else...
One would beg to differ. Being a 'loyal soldier', trained and disciplined and above all honest is a great deal. Most soldiers have trades of one kind or another and, in the ultimate event, soldiering and doing it well is what counts. Else, why would the British Army choose to recruit from Fiji? Many other locations to go to.
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