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■ Cogito, ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. (René Descartes, mathematician and philosopher,1599-1650)
Saturday 27 February 2016
Fiji Appeals to UN for Cyclone Relief
Pn10. The Fiji Mission to the UN in New York this morning presented Fiji's case to all UN member states. To watch the video, click on : http://webtv.un.org/watch/ocha-briefing-on-the-humanitarian-situation-in-fiji-caused-by-cyclone-winston/4775980639001
Sunday 21 February 2016
Worst Cyclone on Record in Southern Hemisphere Lashes Fiji
My fellow Fijians,
Yesterday,
Tropical Cyclone Winston – the most devastating storm on record in the
Southern Hemisphere -- reached our shores. The damage
has been widespread. Homes have been destroyed, many low-lying areas
have flooded and many people have been left stunned and confused about
what to do.
In
the aftermath of this great tragedy, many are without power and full
access to water, and are cut off from communication. My Government
is working overtime to repair the damage that has been caused and
restore these essential services to our people. In the task of recovery
and rebuilding, our public utilities, Government agencies and the
private sector are working to re-establish our communications,
and bring back access to power and water throughout our islands.
Particular emphasis will be placed on re-connecting our Eastern Division
to our national grid so we can urgently assess and address the damage
in our maritime regions.
We
are also working hard to keep the Fijian people as updated as possible
on the restoration process. In some cases, the electric power
has been intentionally cut off in order to prevent more severe damage.
When we are able, we will provide timelines for the return of water and
power so that people can plan in the short-term for how best to care for
themselves.
While this work is being completed, the curfew will remain in effect until 5:30 am today
(tomorrow). The curfew
has been imposed to protect lives and property, and it is vital that
everyone respect the curfew—for your safety and the safety of your loved
ones. Please disregard any reports that the curfew has been lifted. The
Department of Information is the only authorized
and reliable source of information for updates on the curfew.
It
is also vital that everyone remain in their homes while Government
carries out the important work of repairing and restoring our
critical infrastructure. There is still a great deal of debris on our
roads and in our communities: Power lines have gone down all over the
country, and roofing iron, glass, live electrical wires and other
hazardous materials pose serious threats to public
safety.
We
are working hard to make your streets and communities secure once
again, but that will take time, so I ask you for your patience
during this time of crisis – especially for those of you in rural and
maritime regions.
Fijians
who have lost their homes and property have been sheltered in
evacuation sites while Government explores how to best care for
you over the long term. As was recently announced, schools will be
closed for the next week, so many of these buildings can continue to be
used as safe havens.
Our
roads have, for the most part, not suffered severe damage, and many
have already been cleared. However, there is still much work
to be done clearing substantial debris from the rest of our roadways,
and the Fiji Roads Authority is working with other agencies and
volunteers to get all of our roads operational.
Our
armed forces and Fiji Police force have also been engaged to assist
with rehabilitation, rescue operations and clean-up. They will
work alongside other agencies to make sure this work is completed
efficiently so that Fijians can return to their normal lives as soon as
possible.
In
the meantime, I urge every Fijian to stay mindful of your surroundings
and stay indoors. There is no telling whether this cyclone
is gone for good – so we need to act accordingly. That is why it is
important that you adhere to instructions from Government and avoid
dangerous situations.
This
is a time of sorrow, but it will also be a time of action. We will
stand united in the face of this disaster. Please, if see your
neighbor struggling, help if you are able. If you see a dangerous
situation, report it. And keep your fellow Fijians in your prayers as
we, together, overcome this tragedy.
I
know that for those of you who have lost your homes, your livelihoods
or are cut-off from essential services, it is hard to imagine
a brighter future. But that future will come. We will reclaim what we
have lost. I call once again for every Fijian to remain committed to
work together during our recovery efforts, follow instructions from
Government carefully, and do what you can to keep
yourselves out of harm’s way.
Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you.
Thursday 4 February 2016
Unwise and Unnecessary Suspension of the NFP
Pn8.. I agree with law professor Bill Hodge. The suspension of the NFP is "a major punishment for a minor infringement." The Registrar of Political Parties Mohammed Saneem also seems to have exceeded his authority and this inevitably reflects badly on Government. One hopes the Solicitor-General will act swiftly and wisely to resolve an issue that could so easily have been avoided. -- Croz Pn8
Fate of MPs
Nasik Swami
Thursday, February 04, 2016
Thursday, February 04, 2016
SPEAKER Dr Jiko Luveni has sought the advice of the Solicitor General's Office on whether the three parliamentarians of the suspended National Federation Party can attend the Parliament session next Monday.
"We are waiting for a legal opinion and we will wait to see what the legal people will have to say," Dr Luveni said.
She said Parliament sought advice as the decision to suspend the NFP was made outside of Parliament.
"This is why we are seeking legal opinion because the ruling was made outside of Parliament. If it was made inside of Parliament, I would have had a basis of that ruling."
Dr Luveni said she would make her decision after receiving the legal advice.
She said the NFP's suspension would not affect the parliamentary proceeding next Monday.
"We will continue as normal as far as we are concerned from within Parliament.
"It affects only three members, but the quorum for Parliament is one third, which is 17. Even though if there are only 18 people attending a sitting, there is still a quorum. The sitting will go ahead."
Dr Luveni said as usual, the NFP was invited to attend the Business Committee meeting on Friday.
Registrar of Political Parties Mohammed Saneem said since the party's suspension on Monday, his office had not received any feedback from them.
Former speaker of Parliament Pita Nacuva said the situation was confusing since he had never come across such a scenario in Parliament.
According to the Political Parties Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures Decree 2013, Section 27 (5) where a political party commits an offence under the decree, the registrar has the power to issue a warning and require the political party to conform to the decree within a specified period or suspend the registration of the political party not exceeding 12 months.
"Notwithstanding subsection 5, a person who is a member of a political party that has been suspended and is a member of Parliament, shall continue as a member of Parliament for the unexpired term," the decree states.
A New Zealand law expert, who is the author of Criminal Procedure in New Zealand and Auckland University law professor, Bill Hodge, told Radio Australia that the party's suspension did not mean that its three elected MPs cease to be members of Parliament.
Mr Hodge said the suspension was a major punishment for a minor infringement.
The NFP was suspended for 30 days on Monday by Mr Saneem for contravening the Political Parties Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures Decree 2013.
He said the party accounts were not audited by an accountant certified by the Fiji Institute of Accountants (FIA) as required by the decree.
Accounting firm, APNR Partners that audited the suspended party's books, refused to comment when questioned about its registration.
The firm said they had referred the matter to their lawyers.
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