The Jet Volume 4 Number 6 Webcopy

Fiji’s First Community NewspaperIssue: 34 APRIL 15, 2012 PRICE: 50 CENTS VIP

Move Uphill Rise in sea water level is the main cause of severe floodings according to experts

By EMOSI LASAQA

Nadi Town Council CEO Nemia Tagi, left, explains the Nadi drainage plan to the permanent secretary for provincial devel-opment and national disaster management Lieutenant Colonel Inia Seruiratu, third from left, and members of the newly es-tablished national disaster management task force during a special briefing at the council chambers. Photo: SHALENDRA PRASAD.

More flood coverage on pages 4, 5, 12.

The $200 million loss has sparked great concern on the future of the flood battered Nadi Town.

Apart from the desperate need of assistance to cushion the impact of the phenom-enon, there have been a lot of deliberations on the solutions to the recent water attack in the tourism capital of Fiji.

And there were many alle-gations that human activities have made Nadi more flood prone.Major developments like Denarau, Naisoso Island and Fantasy came under fire.

But Geography Professor and scientist, Doctor Patrick Nunn who predicted that the jet-set town will be underwa-ter by 2030 said developments are not the major reasons.

Even changing the course of the Nadi River, he said, will change nothing.

“The only long-term solu-tion for Nadi is to move up-hill. Deforestation of the hin-terland (Nausori Highlands and places) occurred decades ago, so cannot satisfactorily account for the increase in flood frequency and magni-tude in Nadi over the last 10 years.

“River dredging makes a small short-term difference to the problem. There is no evi-dence that river dredging is an effective long-term solution,” he said.

Now the Head of the School of Behavioural, Cog-nitive and Social Science at

University of New England in New South Wales, Austra-lia, Doctor Nunn believes that while heavy rain and logging surely make small contribu-tions, the principal cause of the increased flooding in Nadi over the last 10-years is sea-level rise.

“Sea level is rising. The Lautoka tide gauge shows that this rise is currently around 3.2 millimeter per year, which is close to the global average. The Nadi river (as well as the artificial drainage in Nadi Town itself) is adapted to drain into a sea level lower than today’s. Sea level may be one meter higher in the year 2100, so we may see sea level 25 centimeter higher than today off Nadi in the year 2030.

“This will make flooding even worse than today. The only long-term solution to the problem is for Nadi to be relocated. The sooner this happens the easier it will be for all affected. If you think about it, any rain that falls in the Nausori Highlands and comes down the hill to Nadi needs a slope to get out to sea. It needs a gradient.”

“Now, as sea level has been rising, so this gradient has been getting less and less – and now most of the water just stays in the lowest parts of the Nadi lowlands, which includes parts of Nadi Town, until the rain stops. It’s a very serious problem.

“I do emphasise that the

problem is not one that is ex-clusive to Nadi. We are seeing (or will do soon) the same in Labasa and Navua which, like Nadi, are built on river deltas where the land is also sinking slowly. This sinking ampli-fies the observed sea-level rise. To see what sea-level rise alone (without sinking) is doing, you might see what is happening at Nabila Koro just to the south of the town,” says

Doctor Nunn. Water Authority of Fiji

Hydrologist Seremai Koroi, who was visiting the flood ravaged areas in Nadi for the past weeks, agrees.

He said sea level records for Fiji are relatively short. At the Lautoka Wharf, the rate of sea level rise from 1992 to 1998 was 3.2 millimeters per year.

Mr Koroi revealed that the

global average sea level has risen since 1961 at an aver-age rate of 1.8 millimeters per year and since 1993 at 3.1 millimeters per year.

Whether the faster rate for 1993 is a short term or an in-crease in the longer term, he said, is unclear to scientists at this stage.

Asked on how hot Fiji will get, Mr Koroi said this de-pends on several factors- the

main one being how soon and how much humans reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Best estimate global air temperature projections to 2100 range from +0.6Celcius to +4.0Celcius. Assuming hu-mans do little to reduce green-house gas emissions, models predict Fiji’s annual mean air temperatures to increase be-

Continued on page 2...

Reserve Bank of Fiji assists Nadi businessesBy EMOSI LASAQA

At a time when businesses in Nadi need a savior, the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) has stepped in to lend a guiding hand.

It comes in the form of Flood Rehabilitation Facility (FRF)-a package which was initially de-signed to assist businesses that were affected by the January 2012 floods.

RBF Governor Barry Whiteside in a letter to Nadi Chamber of Com-merce & Industry President Doctor Ram Raju said those affected by the more recent April 2012 floods may also tap into FRF.

Mr Whiteside said the facility is accessible via commercial banks, licensed credit institutions and the Fiji Development Bank until De-cember 31, 2012 and allows eli-gible businesses to take out loans at a maximum rate of six percent per

annum. “Apart from the FRF, business-

es whose core operation is export-ing or import substitution related may be able to tap into funding under the Import Substitution and Export Finance Facility (ISEFF) at a maximum interest rate of six percent from financial institutions. This Facility operates similarly to the FRF where financial institu-tions can access funds from RBF to lend to eligible customers.”

He further stated that Fiji Gov-ernment has this year introduced a Samll and Medium Enterprises Credit Guarantee Scheme (SMEC-GS) which offers a Government guarantee for the lesser of fifty percent of the outstanding princi-pal amount of small and medium enterprise (SME) business loans or $50,000 per business.

“The SMECGS, which is also available via lending institutions, may be used in conjunction with

any of lending institution’s cur-rent loan facilities. The maximum interest rate on this facility is ten percent.”

“In addition, the Reserve Bank has also implemented an Agricul-ture and Renewable Loans ratio, which requires commercial banks to increase the proportion of their deposits, and similar liabilities that they lend to the Agriculture (in-cluding Fisheries and Forestry) and Renewable Energy sectors to four

percent and two percent, respec-tively.”

The policy, he said, is expected to support domestic economic re-covery as well as assist those busi-nesses in the above sectors in re-covering from the recent floods.

“We are aware that lending in-stitutions and commercial banks have also offered their own flood assistance loan packages to assist businesses,” Mr Barry Whiteside said.

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THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 2

FROM THE DESK

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

“Fiji - the way the world should be”“ Being the hub of the Pacific, Fiji has everything that a spectacular tropical paradise has to offer - from private island resort accommodations, top class restaurants to white sandy beaches, inbound tours, jet boat rides, hot air balloon rides, mountain trekking, inland tours, eco tourism, sky diving, helicopter rides, cruise trips, scuba diving, massage and beauty parlours, vibrant night life and a lot more than any other

destination in the world offers ”

THE JET is Fiji’s first community newspaper published monthlyfrom Nadi - the tourism capital of Fiji.

PUBLISHER : SHALENDRA PRASAD Cell: 9232073EDITOR : EMOSI LASAQA Cell: 8451259PHONE : (679) 6264424 / 6708188 FAX : (679) 6728353OFFICE CELL : (679) 7307574 Digicel / 5164 Vodafone & InkkEMAIL : [email protected] : [email protected]

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LAYOUT BY SHALENDRA PRASAD. PRINTED BY MAX MARKETING LTD.

EMOSI LASAQA

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARDPACIFIC COUNSELLING AND SOCIAL SERVICES provides private, confidential

counselling on depression, family/marital, stress, grief, abuse, suicidal thoughts, STI’s, drugs, alcohol & be-havior lifestyle changes. Opens 8am – 3pm, Monday – Friday. Call us on 6708169 Located at Nadi old hospital

road.

ROTARY CLUB OF NADI is currently on a membership drive to increase members who represent all sections of the community. Nadi Rotar-ians meet every Wednesday at Sitar Restaurant in Martintar

at 6.30pm. Interested people can call club treasurer Krupesh Patel

on 6700478

SOROPTIMIST INTER-NATIONAL is a vibrant, dynamic organisation for today’s professional and busi-ness women, working through projects to promote equality, development and peace. We are seeking members to join our club. Interested ladies can call SI Nadi president Irene

Chand on 9921090

FIJIAN WRITERS ASSO-CIATION which has been recently established to form the first ever formal body rep-resenting writers, poets, jour-nalists and everyone who has a passion for writing is seek-ing new members. Interested people can contact Professor

Subramani via email:- [email protected]

Malolo Sangam Temple president Karna Waddi Raju and Nadi Temple head priest Sankaran Anand Gurukkal in front of the new temple at Malolo in Nadi.

Photo: EMOSI LASAQA.

New temple renews hope during times of hardship

By SHALENDRA PRASAD

Bad weather could not stop Hindu devotees from witness-ing the opening of their new temple within the Malolo Sangam Temple premises on Monday, April 16.

The brand new temple is devoted to Goddess ‘Karu-mari Amman’ who is believed to bring good luck and ful-fill the good wishes of every devotee.

The $250,000 worth tem-ple is the second one to be constructed at the property and sits adjacent to a Lord Vishnu temple constructed re-cently around the same cost.

According to Malolo San-gam Temple president Karna Waddi Raju, a week-long celebration was observed to mark the opening of the new temple which was purely con-structed by local builders and decorated by local painters

and sculptors.“At first sight, people think

this is the work of talented artists and builders from India but we are happy to inform that all the works have been carried out by our local peo-ple,” Mr Raju informed.

Mr Raju said the temple committee and people of Ma-lolo, a highly populated set-tlement in the tourism town of Nadi, are overwhelmed with the generosity of various do-

nors which enabled the com-mittee to complete the works as expected.

“People have braved bad weather and hardships of the recent floods to be part of the week-long celebrations and we pray to God to help us dur-ing such hard times.”

The temple which hosts various religious and cul-tural activities throughout the year is well known for its fire walking ceremony.

Rotary Club continues assistanceBy SHALENDRA PRASAD

Rotary Club of Nadi president Sanjit Patel, centre, hands over food items to a flood victim while fellow Rotarian

Krupesh Patel looks on. Photo: SUPPLIED.

The Rotary Club of Nadi continues to assist people affected by the recent floods which wreaked havoc in the western division.

President Sanjit Patel said members were busy distributing food packs to families in the Navo and Nadi Town areas a week af-ter the floods and the focus now will be on education.

“We have been distrib-uting food items for almost a week and now that the floods have receded and life is beginning to get normal slowly, so we will focus more

on providing educational assistance to children who have been badly affected by the floods,” Mr Patel of-fered.

The club was also heavily involved in humanitarian aid work during the Janu-ary floods and is in the pro-cess of creating a web-net-work to seek assistance for every underprivileged child in the area.

“We have also received around fifty mattresses which will be given out to the needy families and we will inform the public when more assistance pours in from our sister clubs and Rotary International.”

There’s light after bleakest

daysBusiness owners in Nadi are restless and they have a good

reason to be so. Many are discouraged by the recent floods with its scars and gaping wounds still visible for all to see.

We have seen many images of Nadi Town during and after the flood- some likened it to a war zone.

It has been a brutal April. The month reminded us all on how fragile and uncertain life can be.

The people were not given time to settle after the January flood and were not given time to flee as the rushing water si-lently broke the Nadi River bank on the dawn of Friday, March 30.

Like a thief, the water entered Nadi Town in a pace not ever known before. By Friday afternoon, many houses were already waterlogged leaving thousands stranded-some areas worse af-fected than the others.

But there is good news. This is Nadi (O Nadi Ko) and there is hope-to its businesses and its people.

It is deeply rooted in every fiber of a Fijian-a resilient spirit with a deep sense of pride in our heritage. It’s who we are.

Where else in the world would you find smiling faces amid dire straits and chaos?

Many heroes were born during the flood. The likes of ‘hum-bled hero’ Nacanieli Dokoni crossed my mind.

What about the villagers in Yasawa who set out to sea with a large wooden cross at the height of Cyclone Daphne?

They say the sky above them cleared and the sea became calm.

Throughout the darkest times in the nation’s history, religi-osity and pride has kept everyone strong and optimistic.

The nation has given grace under pressure a different mean-ing, a different nuance that could be understood and appreci-ated only by another Fijian.

We take pride in our ingenuity and capability as a nation.As the rebuilding work continues with the small assistance

we have, let’s keep the fervor burning. The scars of the flood will always remain but there’s light after bleakest days.

With hope, Nadi and Fiji will rebuild.

Move Uphill From page 1

tween 1.5 and 2.5 Celcius by 2100.”

Mr Koroi further stated that sea levels will continue to rise and the rate of rise will likely increase and there are many other implications.

On the rainfall patterns, he said considering all the un-certainty with rainfall projec-tions, it would be wise when planning for the future to con-sider both negative and posi-tive rainfall projections.

Asked on whether it’s too late- Mr Koroi said, “If you mean to keep air temperature and sea level rise to current levels, the answer is ‘Yes’. Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to prevent further acceleration of air

temperature and sea level rise.”

“The immediate focus on Fiji is to develop a greater un-derstanding of the projected impacts and prepare for these changes.”

“It is important that greater emphasis be placed on me-teorological and environmen-tal monitoring, vulnerability assessments be undertaken and adaptation options e.g. restricting development in threatened coastal and flood-plain areas, put in place.”

“With an increasing popu-lation and projected greater impacts from natural disas-ters, it is important the Fiji public receive as much warn-ing in advance as possible,” Mr Koroi says.

2


THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER3

LOCAL NEWS

Milika ready to lead the

charge By EMOSI LASAQA

It is a pivotal year for the Western Cancer Society with a new committee of vibrant young women in place.

And Milika Marshall, the new President has declared that she is ready to lead the charge in the fight against cancer.

The appointment came on Tuesday, March 20 during the society’s Annual General Meeting at Raffles Gateway conference centre in Nadi.

In fact, Mrs Marshall said she was approached by Bev-erley McElrath, who previ-ously served as the president on the evening.

“Because I had worked closely with Beverley for two years- as a member I accept-ed. And it’s for a cause close to my heart so I was willing to take it up. We also have Doc-tor Fred Merchant as our Vice President. I have a good feel-ing about it and we are going to do a lot to fight the killer disease,” she said.

Mrs Marshall said her first priority is to look on how to work closely with hospitals in the Western Division.

“You would have heard a lot in the news of the Ministry of Health’s initiative to take palliative care to the homes. We had actually talked about this late last year, to educate families who have members that are living with cancer and to give them enough in-formation and support where we can on how to make their lives a bit more comfortable and to have the family sup-port all around.”

“This is part of our aware-ness program as we plan to take our mobile clinic on the road in late April targeting Korovou and surrounding vil-lages. This is of course the caravan that was donated by Williams and Goslings and the Hino truck that has been a result of the Western Society’s gift of a truck that will carry the caravan through AusAid.”

“We are so excited about this and are putting together a programme with a budget to take us there.”

The challenges, she said has been in generating the interest for the public to go for their initial checks-to seek medical assistance when they feel anything different to their

everyday life. The other, Mrs Marshall

adds, is talking about the dis-ease to pocket groups and get-ting past the cultural barrier and the fear.

“Mostly we tell people that we will even go with them for their check. But there are av-enues to get through and we hope by getting more public-ity we can raise the aware-ness.”

On her long term goal, Mrs Marshall said, “I’m going to be looking at the statistics in my term, if we can drop the numbers somehow in those that have the disease than we will know that people are get-ting checked before they get it.”

“With cervical cancer cases high in Fiji (more than breast cancer) we hope to get the health centres work-ing with us to get the checks early. Educating the wider public, its one of the most preventable and curable types of cancer if checked early and it’s a simple test.”

“We are going to tackle the western side from Sigatoka, to Lautoka through to Raki-raki with our awareness pro-grammes and then go onto the islands out here, the Yasawas and the Mamanucas. In work-ing with our Suva branch we can work in the greater East-ern area as well.”

Mrs Marshall said they have been lucky with the amount of support and good-will in the West and from so many business houses as well.

“It’s been amazing in the last year to see how people have contributed when we have reached out to them. We are always looking for volun-teers in our Society, if only to make up little support groups that we can call on for house and hospital visits. I think it’s so important to let them know that when they are detected with cancer there is still hope and you can still enjoy a qual-ity life.

“Please highlight the fact that we have been very lucky with Raffles Gateway for their ongoing support of the West-ern Cancer Society in hosting our AGM each year with the Fiji Times and Motibhai’s for their sponsorships and Rosie Tours for assistance in visit-ing clinics.”

Members of the Western Cancer Society during the AGM at the Raffles Gateway Hotel conference centre last month. Photos: SHALENDRA PRASAD.

Western Cancer Society’s newly elected president Milika Marshall.



FLOOD FOCUS

Trust lends a helping handBy EMOSI LASAQA

The Nakovacake Devel-opment Trust on Thursday, April 12 donated $60, 000 to the people of Navoci and Namotomoto to help them re-build their lives.

Situated along the bank

of the not so friendly Nadi River, the two villages were badly hit by the recent flood and most are still reeling from its effect.

Trust’s Deputy Chairman Tomasi Naulumatua said the money would be shared amongst VKB registered ben-eficiaries of the two villages.

“Some the houses were damaged, many lost their be-longings and root crops were washed away. This is to help them get back to normal. We look after their welfare as they are owners of three quarters of Nadi Town,” said Mr Naulumatua showing two money bags containing

$30,000 each.He said they are also will-

ing to assist if the villagers need further assistance.

Navoci Village assistant head man Mosese Nailumu who received the money on behalf of his fellow villagers said they are deeply touched by the generosity of the Trust

Committee. Namotomoto Village DIS-

MAC Chairman Aporosa Saulete shared similar senti-ments.

“We are grateful and we say thank you. It’s a timely decision as many in lot of ways need assistance,” Mr Saulete said.

(Lami, Suva, 04/04/12) Colgate-Palmolive (Fiji) Ltd has donated over $55,000 retail value worth of items to assist with DISMAC’s efforts to help those affected by the flood. The company has pro-vided a donation of personal hygiene and home-care prod-ucts to assist with relief sup-ply packs which were given to families at the various evacuation centres.

The products consist of Colgate toothpastes, Colgate toothbrushes, Protex Soap,

Colgate-Palmolive helps put smiles during times of need

By RENATA RAM Fabuloso Cleaners and Pacif-ic Laundry bars. The donation was officially handed over to the Permanent Secretary for Provincial Development and Natural Disaster Lieutenant Colonel Inia Seruiratu.

On behalf of the company, the General Manager Nick Ryan expressed his empathy for those suffering due to the floods and particularly those who were at the evacuation centres.

“Our best wishes are also with the recovery teams work-ing hard to get the country back to normal. We at Colgate Palmolive felt strongly about

playing our part in the recov-ery and making life a little easier for those who are suf-fering and have lost so much. We would like to announce the donation of Colgate Pal-

molive products, valuing $55,000, targeted to those in the Evacuation Centres. These products are aimed at maintaining everyone’s sani-tation, health and wellness at

this time”.In accepting the donation

Lt. Colonel Inia Seruiratu expressed his gratitude and thanks on behalf of the Fijian government.

Colgate-Palmolive general manager Nick Ryan hands over items to the perma-nent secretary for provi-sional development and

national disaster manage-ment Lieutenant Colonel

Inia Seruiratu. Photo: SUPPLIED.

Fiji Sevashram Sangha feeds flood victims

The Fiji Sevashram Sangha was one of the first NGO’s to reach out to the thousands of flood victims who suffered during the recent floods in the west-ern division. The organisation played a crucial role in providing cooked food and groceries to areas which were worst affected by the floods. Seen in this

picture are Carreras Road residents after receiving groceries from the FSS recently. Photo: SHALENDRA PRASAD.

The Youth branch of the Ah-madiyya Muslim Jama’at Fiji, classified as Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Fiji has been actively tak-ing part in helping severely affected flood victims and relief activities in the Nadi area in co-ordination with DISMAC.

Majlis Khuddamul Ah-madiyya has visited the grief stricken families of Nawaka Nadi on 31th March 2012. They catered for about 150 evacuees at the St Andrews Primary School, Nadi and also pro-vided meals for service men and women during flood at Nadi Hospital, Nadi Fire Station, Nadi Police Station, Nadi Police Evacuation center(Police Bure) and all police offi-cers on duty in Nadi town street patrol.

On 7th April the youth group cooked food for the Mili-tary Personnel cleaning the streets of Nadi, Natabua Inmates, Prison wardens, Mobile Police unit, Dismac Staff, and also to badly af-fected Navakai Settlement

They catered for approxi-mately 480 people in phase 2 of their distribution.

Ahmadi Muslims

reach out to the needy

By ASHFAAQ KHAN

India offers flood help

The Government and the peo-ple of India have conveyed their heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by the recent devastating floods in Fiji, which have caused loss of lives and property.

“We hope that with the efforts of all those involved, the situation in the affected areas would improve and return to normal,” the In-dian Government said in a statement to this news-paper.

Government of India has con-veyed a contribution of US$200,000 towards the efforts for relief and reha-bilitation in the flood af-fected areas.

Source: PRESS RELEASE

Westpac offers customers disaster relief finance options Westpac has encouraged

customers impacted by the floods to call or meet with their banker to discuss finan-cial relief options.

“Some of our customers have only just got back on their feet again following the floods earlier this year. It’s

Source: PRESS RELEASE a tragedy to have the dam-age and destruction repeated and our thoughts are with everybody affected by the floods,” said Adrian Hughes (pictured), General Manager, Westpac Fiji.

“We understand how in-terruptions, whether they’re natural disasters or otherwise,

can have such a major impact to the livelihoods of so many people and to businesses which in turn have further consequences such as loss of stock, damage to property and little or no revenue.

“As everyone and every business’ circumstances are unique, we want them to talk

to their banker to see how we can best practically help them in these difficult times. This can involve suspending per-sonal and home loan repay-ments for a period of time, restructuring their loan ac-counts or Term Deposits cus-tomers can terminate without incurring the Early Termina-

tion Fee penalty. “But it’s best for custom-

ers to either contact our Cus-tomer Service Call Centre on 132 032 or talk to their relationship manager to de-termine the most appropriate and responsible solution for their circumstance,” said Mr Hughes.

4



FLOOD FOCUS

Relocation talks unrealisticBy EMOSI LASAQA

Business owners can move to a flood free area if they want to but Nadi will still be viable with or without them.

Nakovacake Development Trust Deputy Chairman To-masi Naulumatua made those statements amid the proposi-tion that the only way is up if the jet-set town is to survive flood’s fury in the future.

The Trust administeres the financial affairs of the Nako-vacake people, consisting of Namotomoto and Navoci vil-lagers who own three quarters of Nadi Town.

Mr Naulumatua said they have been hearing a lot of talks on relocation for the past ten-years.

“There are lot of talks but the difficulty of moving is not taken into account. Who is going to move-who is ready, I don’t think anybody is ready to move. It’s unrealistic.”

“According to our history, the flood usually comes after 10-years but that has been broken by the one in 2009 and the recent one”

“For sure it is going to hap-pen again but not every year. If there’s some normalcy in the system than it should be back after 10-years so they (business owners) have nine years of prosperity.”

“It’s good for me too…. if they relocate we can find someone else to use Nadi Town. There are many people

in Nadi who are looking for homes and we can turn the town area into residential if they decide to move. This is Nadi-it’s close to Denarau and for sure-it’s still the best place to invest,” Mr Naulu-matua says.

Nadi Chamber of Com-merce and Industry president Dr Ram Raju said it is no easy task to just uproot everything and move.

“The cost and logistics of moving Nadi Town makes it an impossible task and this is something that we are not even going to discuss at this stage or in the near future. We simply have to find solu-tions to minimise flooding,” he said.

Nakovacake Development Trust Deputy Chairman Tomasi Naulumatua.

US Assists Fiji

Flood Relief Efforts

Source: PRESS RELEASE

The United States of Amer-ica is assisting the people of Fiji by responding to the recently declared state of emergency in the western parts of the main island, Viti Levu, caused by the recent severe flooding of homes, towns and villages.

The Embassy of the United States in Suva, Fiji, has donated USD 100,000 to Rotary Fiji and USD 50,000 to the Fiji Red Cross for the provision of emergency relief sup-plies – including blan-kets, water purification tablets and hygiene kits – to the areas and people affected by the devastat-ing floods.

The United States under-stands well the vulner-abilities of its friends in the Pacific to natural disasters. Through its Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assis-tance, the U.S. has pro-vided significant training and support to relevant agencies in Fiji in 2010 and 2011, assisting them in their efforts to better respond to disasters.

The United States com-mends the government’s response to the floods and remains committed to helping the people of Fiji with disaster relief efforts.

Vodafone ATH Foundation makes the differenceSource: PRESS RELEASE

Various charity partners of the Vodafone ATH Fiji Foun-dation have been passionately engaged in providing flood re-lief to the needy in the West.

The Foundation has allo-cated $ 48,000 for immediate relief work to ease the pain of flood victims. The foundation is engaging its charity partners Sangam Fiji Foundation, TISI Mathar Sangam, Lions Club of Ba, Rotary Club of Lau-toka, Lions Club of Lautoka, Rama Krishna Mission and the Fiji Sevashram Sangha to reach those affected.

Jagannath Sami of Sangam Fiji Foundation stated that the Foundation has provided din-ner for 254 children and milk and baby food for 26 babies at St Andrews Primary School evacuation centre. “There were 500 adults at the centre and the TISI Mathar Sangam cooked food and the delivery and serving was done by the youths,” said Sami.

Lions Club of Ba project officer, Mr Brij Dayal said that they distributed borehole water to the Yalelevu Com-munity. The club prepared 250 packs of groceries for distribution at the evacua-

tion centres in Ba. “We were closing monitoring the situa-tion and were able to help a lot more when the flood water receded and the roads opened up“.

“The team distributed wa-ter and food to Votua, Wailai-lai, Matanigana, Nailaga, Na-mosau, Bangladesh, Yalelevu and Moto victims,” said Mr Dayal.

“Rotary Club of Lautoka had purchased $10, 000 worth of groceries sent to St An-drews Primary School, Nadi Muslim, PWD Depot, Mt St Mary’s” said Ricke Eyre, President of Club.

“The Fiji Sevashram Sangha had been distributing hot cooked food to people at the evacuation centres. The second phase involved distri-bution of food rations in the affected areas accessible and to families who had returned to their homes.

They have relied on its self-less volunteers and donors to mobilise immediate help to the needy, it again appeals to them to please come forward and help the Sangha help the thousands in need today. The damage and suffering is wide-spread, the affected are in tens of thousands and the suffering is severe.

“Sangha urgently needs helping hands of the volun-teers and food supplies to start the relief work. The suffering communities in the West are waiting for the Sangha’s bri-gade of volunteers to bring first help to them as they have done in the past. Volunteers are requested to call into the Sangha Ashram at 10 Nasoki Street in Lautoka and assist in the relief work.

“The community at large are requested to drop dona-tions at the centre,” said Swa-mi Sanyuktanand.

The Sangha has distributed food to 400 people at Drasa Muslim School, Drasa Pri-mary School, Deshbandu Vi-togo Primary, Luvu Sangam Primary and Yalelevu Sanatan Primary.

The Lions Club of Lau-toka has supplied food, warm clothes, beddings and water tanks. It continues to assist Naviago, Drasa, Matawalu Village, Luvu Seaside and Saweni communities. They have also distributed 16 car-tons of clothes to the centres.

It is sad to hear the con-tinuing massive damage that is occurring due to the heavy downfall and fresh flood in the western division of Fiji, especially when people were

just recovering from the re-cent crisis said National Vol-unteer Centre [NVC] coordi-nator, Neil Maharaj.

“Our coordinators verbal reports from Sigatoka, Nadi, Ba and Tavua gave an insight that this flood has caused even more damage then the previous flood.”

“As per reports, we have quickly mobilised NVC vol-unteers to keep a watch and also assist those affected in ways possible. Many flats in Tavua were under water and without electricity and wa-ter. Sigatoka Coordinators, Sitiveni Kunaika revealed that it is also one of the worst affected areas this time com-pared to last flood.

“Many houses and villages

in Sigatoka were underwater. He said that 44 houses were swept away and people were only in the clothes they were wearing.”

It will definitely take people time to recover espe-cially being victims of two floods. Immediate assistance with basic needs would prob-able first in everyone’s mind. Should you need volunteer assistance, please contact Mr Neil Maharaj on 9993663 or 3312 649 who has close tabs with coordinators in Siga-toka, Ba and Tavua. Should there be a need volunteers can be mobilized in each of the 3 districts.

“In the mean time we will continue to follow up with the coordinators.”

Leading by example...Vodafone Fiji CEO Aslam Khan, right, was personally engaged in the delivery of flood relief items

in the western division. Photo: FACEBOOK.

(NATADOLA, FIJI) Mon-day 16 April 2012 –The man-agement company behind Inter-Continental Fiji have provided over 30,000 kg of essential sup-plies to the flood-affected com-munities surrounding the resort and all of its employees.

Intercontinental Hotel Group’s (IHG) global charity, ‘Shelter in a Storm’, provided disaster relief to victims of Ja-

‘People’s Resort’ management company gives backSource: PRESS RELEASE pan’s earthquake and tsunami,

Christchurch’s earthquakes, and the recent flooding in Bangkok and now Fiji.

According to DISMAC, vil-lages seriously affected in the area include Semo, Navisaba-saba, Nalele, Lomawai, and Emuri. By the end of the week these villages will have col-lectively received over 10,000 kg of food and essential sup-plies from the resort. Affected employees have also been pro-vided 45 kg care-packages for

their families.Ratu Ilaisa Memorial

School, smaller settlements and seriously affected homes along the highway are also the focus of attention, and teams of resort employees are volunteering to help communities clean and re-build their homes.

Recognizing the oppor-tunity to use their network’s size and scale for good, IHG set up the Shelter Fund and established a partnership with CARE International to provide

relief to communities following natural and manmade disasters. By fundraising in anticipation of disasters, teams across the world can take immediate and effective action to help commu-nities in crisis.

According to General Man-ager, Scott Williams, Fiji’s recovery relies heavily on the tourism industry bouncing back however, the healing must start with the people.

“We are the ‘People’s Re-sort’ and caring for the people

of Fiji is central to how we do business,” said Mr Williams. “The floods have left thou-sands devastated, however we

are committed to supporting where we can through this dif-ficult time and providing relief to those in need.”

Flood relief items being delivered at Semo Village

in Sigatoka. Photo: SUPPLIED.

US Ambassador to Fiji Frankie Reed.


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LOCAL NEWS

Communities make a difference to home and lives

of the residentsBy RAJNEESH CHARAN

Staff members of Tourist Transport Fiji (TTF) pose for a group photo after carrying out community work at the Golden Age Home at Natabua in Lautoka last month. Photos: RAJNEESH LATA CHARAN.

Different communities have been visiting the Golden Age Home to make a differ-ence in the lives of the resi-dents.

A fifteen member reser-vations team from the Tour-ist Transport Fiji (TTF) led by Customer Services and Reservations Manager, Arun Prasad did the much needed cleaning of the wards and compound at the Home on Saturday, 17th March 2012 as part of their community work. After the rainy season the molds and mildews formed in the high ceiling of the wards and we are really thankful to TTF staff for the timely assis-tance. This great service was provided between 9am to 3 pm and this definitely helped in brightening the place. The General Manager of TTF, Brad Rutherford commented that, “The team at TTF, in-cluding the management, is very proud of the efforts the Reservations & Customer Services team made on Sat-urday as part of TTF’s over-all efforts to assist more in community service. We hope the folks at the Golden Age Home enjoyed the experience and improved surroundings.”

The residents did not only enjoy the clean surrounding but also enjoyed the compan-ionship of the friendly TTF staff.

The Lion’s Club of Lau-toka as part of their project initiative planted fruit trees

at the home on 17 March 2012. They planted banana, pawpaw, baigan, chilies and mandarin trees at the home garden.

The members of the Art-of-Living, Lautoka are continuing to conduct the weekly Yoga classes for the residents.

Other community groups who visited the home recently to provide companionship to the residents were Student In-ternational California, USA, Hare Krishna Mission and South Pacific Evangelical.

The Valentine Travel & Tour Limited have also indi-cated that they would include The Golden Age Home as part of their itinerary as part of their tour of their guest to the Lautoka City.

The Board of Visitors dur-ing its monthly meeting on 21st March 2012 co-opted a new board member, Saleshni Lalji. She comes with a Social Welfare background and will be an asset to the board.

Baroda Lautoka blood drive a successBank of Baroda Lautoka

branch hosted a blood drive on Saturday, March 24 to as-sist the Western Blood Bank as part of their community outreach.

Branch head Pushpa Singh said she was im-pressed with the response from her staff members, customers and members of the public.

“We were able to collect fifty-five pints of blood in our half-day blood drive and the response was very en-couraging,” Mrs Singh said.

By SHALENDRA PRASAD “Most of our staff members also donated blood and our customers also turned up in numbers to donate blood for a worthy cause,” she added.

According to Mrs Singh, the bank has carried out nu-merous blood drives in the past and this one was the first for the year.

“Donating blood is the no-blest thing a person can do so we are always ready to help the blood bank with such an initiative,” Mrs Singh said.

“Our efforts today will definitely help save lives and apart from organizing blood drives, we have also assisted

a lot of people after the recent floods.”

The bank continues to carry out community work and has recently provided

food for residents of the Golden Age Home and also assisted school children with stationery needs via the Fiji Sevashram Sangha.

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TASTE BUDS

By BRENDON COFFEYExecutive Chef

Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa

For reservations and information on Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, please visit

www.sofitel.com

South Pacific Food and Wine Festival

Who could imagine that only three to four weeks ago we were experiencing pos-sibly the most exciting food and beverage event that Fiji and its hospitality sector have ever encountered.

A star studded cast of Chefs, foodies and industry speakers that would have made a big event in any of the leading culinary cities around the world. To have such an event here in Fiji is to say the least “extraordinary”. So what does it really mean for our young chefs and industry professionals as a whole? It allows them to tap into a vast amount of knowledge and expert resources that would otherwise not be available. It extends the opportunity for networking and forming last-ing industry relationships and hopefully encourages other industry leaders to come, visit and share which is the es-sence of hospitality and what we do.

Unfortunately the Festival was quickly overshadowed by more dramatic and disas-trous events of late that will have an on going effect in our community for a number of months to come.

This makes it even more imperative that we look at the overall purpose of the South

Pacific Food and Wine Festi-val which is to help develop a more self sustaining approach to local product and Pacific flavors especially in regard to our tourism.

I believe whole heartedly that the South Pacific Food and Wine Festival was a huge success. It has set a theme and a thinking that can only develop further. It has the po-tential to develop a first class international event in a truly unique environment. We also need to remember that it was the first time for Fiji and, just like trying on a new pair of trousers, I’m sure some minor adjustments are necessary.

I applaud all those involved for initiating and organizing the event. Also the suppliers and sponsors who got be-hind and supported the event without really knowing the impact that this can have on our future chefs and food and beverage professionals. I also applaud the Chefs and young people from the industry who took the initiative to come and volunteer their time to work alongside our visiting Chefs to better their own knowledge and skills. So what were some of the new ideas and skills to come out of the kitchen……?

Michael Meredith showed us some new and intriguing ways with coconuts…

Coconut yoghurt using only the green flesh with the addition of an acidophilus re-sulting in a very fresh unique-ly flavored yoghurt. Michael also demonstrated green co-conut cocktails, salads, and of course different ways to use spongy coconut flower.

Robert Oliver with his zealous humor and expertise on all things Pacific had our staff hungry for more. Rob-erts’s encouragement toward

our local staff and what can be achieved was truly inspir-ing.

Peter Gordon was so at home with a laid back pro-fessionalism and showed the team how to incorporate local flavors into his dishes with a simplicity and flair. In par-ticular the date and chocolate sauce using Adi Chocolate from Savusavu and of course the simple way in which he put together a salad of bele, moca and coconut gave us all a fresh way of thinking.

Peter Kuruvita was ex-tremely engaging and had our young chefs spell bound as he talked and showed them sim-ple but new techniques.

The kitchen theatre was a lot of fun and people were able to gain insight into a number of products and ideas. In particular Willie Harcourt Cooze and his passionate al-most eccentric expertise on cacao. There was also our

own local spices and cooking styles with the original “Spice Girls” who came in the form of a panel of local ladies shar-

ing their knowledge and ideas of local cuisine and childhood favorites.

The “Rising Stars” pro-gram was a great initiative and highlights the importance of getting our young chefs ac-cess to first class resources.

All our visiting Chefs and speakers that I had the oppor-tunity to meet and talk with all expressed their under-standing of the idea of “Pa-cific Cuisine” and how much they enjoyed their time work-ing here.

The festival serves as a base from which to carry this

further and momentum now is paramount and with this in mind it is a necessity that the Festival takes place again next year.

In the mean time we have a hard couple of months to as-sist our local farmers back to normality.

Fiji and its people have al-ways astounded me as to their resilience and resourcefulness and I’m sure with all stake-holders working cooperative-ly we can be back serving fine Pacific fare with interesting and locally grown produce in no time at all!

Things you should know:Information is current as at April 1, 2012. (Rates may be subject to change. Increase in rates with a prior notice of 7 days). Account terms and conditions apply for different products and may be varied in the future by the bank with a prior notice of 30 days. To open any Westpac Account our 100-point Customer identification checklist policy will need to be met. For more information, call our Customer Service Call Centre on 132 032, visit your nearest Westpac branch or log on to www.westpac.com.fj *Available for new Premium Option Home Loan with Westpac. At the end of the fixed rate period the interest rate will convert to the applicable variable rate subject to the Bank’s normal lending criteria, currently 6.99% p.a for Premium Option Home Loan.

Retail Deposit RatesCalculated on daily balanceand paid monthly

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1 to less than 3 months3 to less than 6 months6 to less than 9 months9 to less than 12 months12 to less than 18 months 18 to less than 24 months24 to less than 36 months36 to less than 48 months 48 to less than 60 months60 months and over13 month Retirees Term Deposit

Prime Lending RateConsumer Lending RatePersonal accountUnarranged overdrafts/excess Business Lending Rate Business Cheque accountUnarranged overdrafts/excessPremium Option Home Loan1 Year Fixed RateSpecial *1 Year Fixed Rate (effective 01/02/12)*2 Year Fixed Rate3 Year Fixed RateStandard Variable Rate Investment Property Loan1 Year Fixed Rate1 Year Fixed Rate (effective 06/06/11)2 Year Fixed Rate 3 Year Fixed Rate Standard Variable Rate Business Access LoanStandard Variable Rate Personal LoansPersonal Loans SecuredPersonal Loans UnsecuredWestpac American Express® Credit CardsPersonalGoldBusiness

1.00%1.00%1.75%2.25%2.50%2.50%3.00%3.00%3.00%3.00%3.75%

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Westpac Banking Corporation. ABN 33 007 457 141. The liability of members is limited.

7.49%12.45%

18.50%9.99%

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6.79%5.70%5.95%8.49%6.99%

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10.00%

10.95%17.00%

22.00%22.00%22.00%

Passbook AccountBalances >$250 & <$2000$2001 and over

0.15%0.55%

Minimum opening balance $1,000, minimum operating balance nil.

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0.35% p.a0.50% p.a

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Bonus Rate 2.00% p.a


Seniors AccountBalances $0-$499.99Balances $500-$1,999.99 Balances $2000 and over

0.50%0.75%1.25%

Youth & Tertiary Student Accounts 1.00%


Minimum opening balance $1,000, minimum operating balance $1,000.

eSaver Account (Effective 1/12/11) 2.00% p.a


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Peter Kuruvita with the Sofitel team. Photos: SUPPLIED.

SPFWF brand ambassador Robert Oliver, Brendon Coffey and Peter Kuruvita.

Peter, Ben and Michael.

Miso Marinated eggplant by Peter Gordon.

10



AGRICULTURE / FOREST / FISHERIES

Grow & Export

Have a plan to boost domestic agro-based production and improve your foreign exchange earnings through exports? Talk to us today about RBF’s concessionary Import Substitution and Export Finance Facility* at an interest rate of 6% p.a*.

*Conditions apply.

For more information visit your nearest FDB Branch or call 3314866.Visit www.fdb.com.fj for details on fees and charges.

The Ministry of Agriculture has pegged the flood damage to the non-sugar agricultural sector at $17.4 million.

Ministry permanent secretary, Mr Mason Smith, said the Ministry would be utilising close to $0.5m for rehabilitation programme for farmers.

He said the Ministry was already working with a number of non-governmental organisations to purchase seeds from over-seas.

“One such group is the Rama Krishna Mission based in Nadi and we are also working with Bio Security to get clear-ance for the seeds from overseas for farmers in the field,” Mr Smith said.

He said these organisations will be also assisting in the prop-agation of the seeds and the seedlings prior to the distribution to the farmers.

“In addition we are working with others such as Nature’s Way Cooperative in the non-sugar agricultural sector to try and get out farmers back on the field.”

Government assists

agricultural sector

PM approves sugar helpBy MINFO

New Chip Mill to boost economyBy MINFO

Fifteen-years of waiting has finally materialised after Prime Minister Voreqe Baini-marama commissioned the opening of the Wairiki Chip Mill in Bua this month.

In his speech the Prime Minister highlighted that it had taken long to open the mill as there was corruption and false promises made by the previous management of Tropik Woods Limited.

However, the Prime Min-ister highlighted that Gov-ernment’s aim is to eradicate corruption and ensure that the people get the maximum benefit from land based re-sources.

“It is a great day for Fiji Pine and also the pine land-

owners and the Vanualevu community. We are witnessing a fundamental transformation of the Vanualevu economy,” Prime Minister Bainimarama said.

“This island will, for the first time, open itself to the di-rect export trade of pine wood chips and this will drive for-eign earning and we will also be making history, through launching a vessel carrying pine chips from the shores of Vanualevu bound for Japan. This further contributes to Fiji’s place as the hub of the Pacific and underscores the growth potential Fiji has.”

The Prime Minister thanked landowners for their patience and cooperation with Government as well as the CEO for Tropik Woods,

Mr Faiz Khan for having the Wariki Chip Mill running in just over a year.

He has also called on the current management of Wairiki Chip Mill to maintain transparency and good corpo-rate governance.

More than 150 workers will be employed in the first phase, with the first shipment to Japan in June this year.

Prime Minister Bainima-rama said the opening of the Wairiki Saw Mill is part of Government’s ‘look north policy’, targeted towards boosting economic growth in the Northern Division and at the same time ensuring that local people are assisted through employment, instead of transporting resources to the Drasa Chipping Mill in

Lautoka.The Wairiki Chip Mill will

operate 12 hours a day with an output three times more than the Chip Mill in Drasa, Lautoka which operates 24 hours.

Prime Minister Bainimara-ma at the opening in Bua.By MINFO

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has approved an assistance scheme for sugar farmers who have been affect-ed by the recent floods.

The Sugar Industry Tribunal, FSC and the cane growers council has carried out a valuation assessment to determine those farms which were affected by the recent floods.

Government will issue to individual affected farmers a grant of $2,500 per hectare to replant sugarcane, which was damaged by the recent floods.

Government will also assist farmers throughout Fiji by offering an interest free loan of $1,250 per hectare with a further grant of $1,250 per hectare to replant sugarcane. The grant portion of this assistance will be given once the loan has been assessed and approved by the Sugarcane Growers Fund.

The Prime Minister who is also the Minister for the Sug-ar portfolio stressed the importance of rehabilitating the sugarcane industry as quickly as possible.

“We must ensure these farmers have every opportunity to quickly replant crops and are not tied down by financial burdens,” Prime Minister Bainimarama said.

It is estimated that through this grant approximately 500 hectares will be planted with a further 1,600 hectares planted through the joint loan/grant assistance.



FEATURES

By PROFESSOR SUBRAMANI

Fiji floods and human values

The recent floods in the western districts of Fiji have yet again brought to the sur-face the issue of human val-ues.

We can take some conso-lation from the fact that Fiji is not alone in facing disas-ters. In recent years, these disasters, unfortunately, have become a way of life on this earth.

The havoc that nature is causing though earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, floods, droughts is just one side of the story of crisis-ridden world; alongside the natural disasters, there are disasters of even greater proportion caused by human beings evi-dent in collapsing economies, upheaval in governments, environmental crisis, wars and terrorism, and recently chaos in the media itself. The greatest sufferers are the poor people of the world.

These entire crises are, in one way or another, linked to crisis in human values. That is, our inability to distinguish

provided good leadership in promoting values. Our pri-mary schools are now teach-ing human values, and at the tertiary level, the Fiji National University has made teaching of ethics compulsory at all

its campuses. There is prob-ably a gap at the secondary school level; this is now be-ing addressed by a recently published book called Edu-cation in Human Vales; Re-source Book for Secondary

Schools. It is intended to be an inspiring and instructive publication written in the context of global crisis in hu-man values. The book will be launched as soon as we recov-er from our difficulties in the

west, and The Jet will carry a full review.

These positive contribu-tions make us believe again in a new Fiji that we say ‘the way the whole world ought to be.’

Police officers seen evacuating families from Carreras Road in Votualevu affected by the floods on Friday, March 30. Photo: SHALENDRA PRASAD.

The floods have receded; it’s time to take stockbetween right and wrong. The collapse of the banks in the West, wars and terrorism in the Middle Eastern countries, global climate change, failure in governance every where, and irresponsible activities in the media are connected to confusion over values.

The tragic floods in Fiji showed us both, the potential good in us in the way business corporations, Government, NGOs and individuals re-sponded to the human plight in flooded areas, showing love, compassion and caring.

At the same time, what is most heartbreaking, is the base activities of those who chose to inflict more pain on the injured by looting and car-rying on corrupt trade.

This is like hurting those who are already hurt and that to not because of need but be-cause of greed.

There can’t be a more pain-ful example of degradation of values.

The global crisis, and our own tragedy, demonstrates clearly the massive task of re-educating human beings in values that support us in car-rying on civilized existence: mutual dependence, kindness, generosity, proper conduct, respect, justice and fairness. This realization is slowly dawning on the whole world.

The Fiji Government has

Given the flooding sce-narios in the west, it is only safe for estuary towns and all low lying settlements to relo-cate to safer, higher locations. There is no better solution than to relocate from flood- prone areas to higher areas. The idea of relocation must be taken seriously. I have been repeatedly saying this for the last ten-years now but I have seen municipal councils not taking much heed. I hope they do realize this now and gov-ernment must ensure that this takes place.

By now, people must have seen how ferocious floods can be. The intensity and ve-locity of floods must never be underestimated. What we are seeing and experiencing is not the end. There will be more to come with the many environ-mental changes taking place globally.

I must also say that artifi-cial methods to control and overcome flooding is not ef-fective.

It is also worrying that people in Wailotua ,Tailevu are not prepared to move to a new site which the District Officer Korovou says has been prepared. People must understand that if govern-ment is assisting them with relocation, they must take up that opportunity to move. This is for the betterment of

Relocate NowBy PARDEEP LAL

the future generations. People must think ahead. They must not only think of the next 50 or 100 years but beyond that. We must think 200 years from now and beyond. What kind of place are we going to cre-ate and leave behind for our generations? The decisions we make today will be crucial for the future generations.

People have seen the devastating floods and the damage it brings to families, businesses and the nation alike. Government must seri-ously think of the idea of re-location if it wants to reduce the increasing cost incurred by natural disasters such as floods and tropical cyclones. The whole idea about reloca-tion is that it is pragmatic and the best method to reducing losses.

Research by distinguished scholars point out that at least 3 towns in Fiji, namely Nadi, Navua and Labasa could be affected by sea level rise by 2027. Furthermore, climatic projections for Fiji clearly say that temperatures are projected to increase and the intensity and frequency of

extreme rainfall will be high. The proposed plan to divert Labasa river along Naseakula is not the way to solving the problem of flooding of La-basa town. It will aggravate flooding of more areas which include agricultural and resi-dential areas.

What is happening year in year out is that during time of flooding, people are urged to move to higher ground. They lose a lot as their houses and businesses go under water. After floods recede, they go back and clean up. Again they

move to higher ground during the next flood and so this saga continues. But if we calculate the economic losses over a few floods, it is huge. This must stop now and the focus must be on finding better saf-er, locations for our vulner-able towns and settlements.

I must also say that the government’s effort to reach out to victims has been great. They have been very quick to mobilize workforce and pro-vide assistance. With elected governments, there is always bureaucracy which badly de-

lays rescue, relief work and rehabilitation process. The people should be lucky and thankful to the government. Victims started receiving as-sistance without much delay and this places us among some of the developed countries where government and NGO assistance reaches victims in a short time.

Government must bring in legislations to ensure that towns and low lying settle-ments move to higher, safer locations. This process may take a few years but it must

start now. Government will have to identify and develop better locations first. Those who do not relocate to safer areas identified and developed by government should not be assisted if they are affected by flood in future. They remain in those flood prone areas at their own risk. Government must encourage and educate people to move as it helps all in the long term. Government must also assist the poor in re-locating. A larger budget for disaster management needs to be allocated as severity of natural disasters is expected to increase. Immediate refor-estation must commence in areas which are deforested in the highlands. Thorough wa-ter shed management is cru-cial to reducing the impact of severe flooding.

Given these scenarios, it is time now to realize that these natural events such as floods and tropical cyclones mean business. In return, we got to face these disasters head on with great wisdom and intel-lect and take control of it be-fore it controls and shakes us and our economy.

Pardeep Lal is a lec-turer at the FNU La-basa Campus. Views

expressed are his own.

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat youth wing busy distributing food items to af-fected families in Nadi. Photo: ASHFAAQ KHAN.

12



TRAVEL AND TOURISM

Solomon students graduate from AFL Aviation AcademyFor the first time Solomon

Islands students have gradu-ated from the Airport Fiji Limited Aviation Academy in Nadi.

The students were con-gratulated by a delegation of Solomon Island government officials led by its Minister of Aviation & Communication the Honourable Walter Folo-talu who had travelled to Nadi to attend the graduation.

The graduation ceremony saw seven Solomon Island-ers receive their certificates in Basic Air Traffic Control, a 11 week, course that be-gan on February 7. They will now return to their country as qualified Air Traffic Control Assistants.

In addition there are four Solomon Islanders all study-ing towards qualifications as Air Traffic Controllers.

Commenting on the gradu-ation, AFL CEO, Mr. Tony Gollin said that this is the first time overseas students have enrolled in the Airport Fiji Limited’s Aviation Academy, “an indication of the recogni-tion it is beginning to receive as a viable alternative to other overseas aviation schools,”

By AFL MEDIA The Academy, located in the AFL compound at Nadi, was opened in 2010 to ad-dress a shortage of air traffic controllers at AFL and was expanded to include training in aviation security and air-port rescue and fire-fighting services.

Up to now, the Academy has graduated 80 Air Traffic Controllers who have not only satisfied AFL requirements but also are now working in New Zealand, Australia, USA and Canada.

“The Academy is only two years old so it is still early days in our development, but we have already expanded our curriculum to include air-port fire-fighting and rescue services and security.

“These are all ICAO sanc-tioned courses which means when students graduate in their discipline they can work at any airport in the region,” said Mr Gollin.

The AFL Aviation Acad-emy is close to the airport control tower and Air Traffic Management Centre. This gives students’ access to the state of the art Aurora Air Traffic Management System as well as other airport facili-ties.

Fiji graduates with Solomon Islands Minister of Aviation & Communication Honourable Walter Folotalu and AFL CEO Tony Gollin. Photos: SUPPLIED.

Solomon Islands graduates pose for a photo.

14



EDUCATION AND CAREERS

Proudly supported by:-

NADI HOSPITAL BOARD OF VISITORS INVITES

VOLUNTEERS FOR 2012If you have a few hours a week to spare and you havethe passion and creativity to help with activities in thehospital, then we need you.

Activities will include helping in the pharmacy, lab,and other departments, wards and assistingvisitors, etc.Tertiary students are welcome.Organisation & Groups are welcomeForm 5, 6 & 7 students are also welcome.Anyone with a talent, like singing, sewing, etc.If you can help with gardening.Or if you can help in any other way.If you have an interest in pursuing a career in thehealth industry, and you need experience, this canbe a good source of training for you.All volunteers will receive recognition certificatesfor their contribution to the hospital.

Please contact Sunila Karan (Board Member, NadiHospital) on 6727861 or 9996807;[email protected]

Thank You!

His Excellency the Presi-dent of the Republic of Fiji and the Chancellor of the University of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau reminded more than 200 graduates of the Uni-versity of Fiji not to forget the very people that have made sacrifices for students.

He made the comments as he handed out degrees and masters’ certificate at the Uni-versity’s Saweni campus in Lautoka on Friday, April 13.

15 of the graduates quali-fied with an LLB while 60 students also graduated with Masters in Business Admin-istration.

Uni Fiji graduation gets bigger and

betterBy MINFO “You the graduates are the

most recent beneficiaries of the sacrifice and resilience of the people who laid the solid foundations. We would always remain grateful to them,” he said.

“Whatever happens, do not forget your parents, your guardians and your families for their full unstinting sup-port and their many sacrifices on your behalf.”

With the demand for qual-ity people always on the rise, Ratu Epeli reminded them to never forget what they have learnt in school and at home.

“Ponder well the course you are to embark on for your future. Cherish and treasure bonds and friendships that

you have formed while study-ing,” Ratu Epeli said.

His Excellency noted that 50 per cent of the graduates

were women.University vice – chancel-

lor Professor Mahendra Ku-mar said he looked forward to

seeing students of the univer-sity contribute positively to-wards the society and nation.

“I hope you will approach

the challenges and opportuni-ties that lie ahead with an open mind and contribute towards the growth of this nation.”

University of Fiji students from left, Sheetal Chand, Rinika Prakash, Ashutosh Maharaj and Jasbindar Singh caught in a jovial mood after their graduation. Photos: SUPPLIED.

His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau is flanked by University of Fiji staff Vineeta Narayan, Neha Naidu and Irfaaz Ismail after the graduation.

University of Fiji vice-chancellor Professor Mahendra Kumar shares a moment with First Lady Adi Koila Nailatikau after the graduation.


THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 1�

TALK BUSINESS

By PRANESH AMARSEE

Bula EverybodyOn Wednesday 22nd Feb-

ruary our Prime Minister made the following speech to the Police Officers: “Effective and efficient leadership is the key to any successful organi-sation, be it civil, disciplined or the public sector.”

And while delivering this speech, there was a breaking news in Australia that Kevin Rudd will be challenging the Australian Prime Minister Ju-lia Gillard for Labour Party Leadership. So What is Lead-ership?

Well there are many defi-nitions of Leadership. I have gathered the following best five definitions:- Bruce Bagley Leadership is the abil-ity to guide and motivate a group of people to a common purpose.

Gretchen Dickson-Com-mitment to a cause or orga-nization and undertaking the responsibility to see positive change in that organization. Leadership is not the office that you hold or the job you do, but rather the attitude with which you approach your involvement in a project. Leadership is about having the foresight to see the future needs of an organization, the commitment to providing whatever effort is necessary to move the organization in that direction and the grace to do so because it is what is best

The importance of good leadershipfor the organization and not in an effort to gain personal glory or accolades.

English H.Gonzalez- Leadership as the opportunity to change the world, hope-fully for the better.

Jim Martin- Someone who believes that taking (leading) a “group” (team, family, organization, coun-try, etc.) into a certain condi-tion or status will make the “group” and those influenced by the group better.

Viviana S Martinez-Bi-anchi - A person that has the ability of leadership is some-one that can exert influence, motivate, inspire, help others realize their potential, mentor, lead by example and make a difference. It takes knowing oneself, being a good listener and a good speaker. It requires passion and ability to always recognize one’s limits in or-der to grow. It requires know-ing when and how to delegate and when and how to change the course. It requires trust-ing others and trusting one’s instincts.

Understanding the im-portance of leadership is the key to your business success. Leadership has so much influ-ence in our lives because so often it determines whether we enjoy a particular activ-ity. The Army Leadership manual, FM 6-22, expresses the importance of leadership best:

A leader is anyone who inspires and influences

people to accomplish organi-zational goals; they motivate

others to pursue actions, focus thinking, and shape decisions for the greater good of the organization.Leadership is about build-

ing teams and communicat-

ing so that everyone works together. The importance of leadership is a key ingredient to successful businesses and championship teams. Teams that have this synergy tend to be the ones on top. Team-work establishes an environ-ment that allows everyone to feel that they can be a part of something greater. Communi-cation is about creating new or better awareness; achiev-ing a common understanding.

Are you a leader just be-cause you run a small busi-ness? No. But you need to be. Without business leadership, your small business ship will circle aimlessly and eventual-ly run out of power. Effective business leadership demands a captain of the ship, not just someone who’s standing by the helm. Leadership is active, not passive. Cool-headed, far-seeing, visionary, courageous - whichever adjectives you choose, leadership is a win-ning combination of personal traits and the ability to think and act as a leader, a person who directs the activities of others for the good of all.

Anyone can be a leader, even if the only person they’re leading is themselves.

But you can’t be a leader just by saying you are. Busi-ness leadership, like leader-ship of any kind, needs to be worked at.

Transform yourself into the kind of leader your small business needs with these five keys to business leadership which I read in one of the ar-ticles while getting bored in the plane.

For Effective Business Leadership:

1. A leader plans. What to do, when to do, how to do and who will do it. Simply it’s just

like building a house where first step is to draw up a de-sign and plan before we start laying bricks. In any business, planning is important.

2. A leader has a vision. Where do you want to see your company in next 12 months? But before that where do you want to see yourself in the next 12 months. Do you want to achieve something in life and in your company? This question should be asked by every individual.

3. A leader shares vision. Sharing your leadership vi-sion helps your vision grow and your business leadership develop. As you tell your leadership vision to others, you will strengthen your own belief in your vision and strengthen your determina-tion to make your leadership vision become reality. And other people will start to see you as a person who’s “going places”. Your business leader-ship skills will grow as you and other people recognize you as a person with leader-ship potential.

4. A leader takes charge. You can’t just “talk a good game” to be a leader; you need to act and to be seen as taking effective action for the good of your small business.

5. A leader inspires through example. We can all name many actions of other people whom we admire, but what inspires us is the integ-rity that gives these actions meaning.

Who is a leader in your context? Our Prime Minister is a leader leading this coun-try, individual ministers are leaders leading their desig-nated portfolios, the president of various religious organi-zations are leaders leading their group, the head master or principle is a leader lead-ing his or her school, a head boy or a head girl is a leader leading students, a sport-ing team captain is a leader leading the team, in business a store manager is a leader leading the store and likewise there are many categories of leadership. A true leader will identify his or her responsibil-

ity. While reading the Sunday Times (15/4/12) I came across an article where the head girl of Nasikawa Vision College was interviewed and this girl quiet interestingly portrayed the qualities of a good leader whereby she dealt with stu-dent problems with profes-sionalism.

Leaders face good times and bad times. To deal with both is an art. Today our country is in difficult times due to the massive record breaking floods in the west-ern division. In this situation our leaders starting from the Prime Minister are working very hard. I always remember this great quote from Swami Vivekananda as he said that “If you are walking on a path which has no problems, than it’s the wrong path”. I can imagine and understand that it’s easy to say that we will get over and out of this cur-rent situation we facing in Nadi , but the cost of it is un-bearable this time.

God Bless Nadi. God Bless Fiji.

Leaders in their own right...former leader of opposition Prem Singh, left, and FSC execu-tive chairman Abdul Khan share a light moment during the Nadi Chamber of Commerce &

Industry annual forum earlier this year. Photo: SHALENDRA PRASAD.

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THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER1�

ENVIRONMENT

WORLD Water Day (WWD) is an international celebration held annually on the 22nd of March as a means of focusing attention on the significance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater re-sources. This year the interna-tional focus is on Water and Food Security: “The World Is Thirsty Because We Are Hungry”. Fiji and the Pacific have adopted the theme: “Wa-ter Security Is Food Security”, this seeks to highlight the re-lationship between water and global food supplies.

According to the UN, “Food security exists when individuals have both physi-cal and economic access to adequate, safe and nourish-ing food that meets their re-quirements for an active and healthy life.” Events were or-ganised to celebrate this most important day in the Western division involving schools, communities, and the busi-ness sectors.

Activities began from Ra-kiraki and concluded in Siga-toka with the major celebra-tions held in Nadi.

It goes without saying, that water certainly deserves the attention it’s receiving to-day, since it does define our “blue planet” covering ap-proximately 71 percent of the earth’s surface. It’s a critical necessity to most if not ev-

By ELENOA LAWAVOUMamanuca Environmental

Society

ery aspect of human activity, from agriculture, to industry, to energy. Like the air we breathe, it is vital to the health of individuals and communi-ties, both literally and figu-ratively, water represents the wellspring of life on earth.

For people who depend on local agriculture for food and income, a lack of water usual-ly leads to undernourishment. However changes in climate and extreme weather condi-tions such as droughts and floods also lead to temporary food shortages with notable impacts on the agricultural sector.

Fiji has been hit with dev-astating tropical storms and floods, with the northern and western divisions facing the full brunt. Families have been left without safe clean water and often have to drink from contaminated rivers or wells.

This has resulted in a re-cent outbreak of typhoid and other illnesses attributed to unsafe drinking water. Part of being serious about adapt-ing to climate change is about being serious about water. As the earth warms, rainfall pat-terns can shift, bringing new patterns of drought and flood-ing. Hence we need to get out in front of that problem.

The concern is the demand for water for food production as our population increases. With this increase also comes food wastage by individu-als who are unaware of, or insensitive to the resources needed to produce it and the spoiling of food as it makes its way from the farms to the markets.

Changes in individual’s di-ets, such as excessive food in-take, coupled with increased urbanization also calls for an

increase in the production of food. With the theme “Water Security Is Food Security”, we are made to realize that without water we will also be without food. So much water is used in the production of our food, for example, 1500L of water is needed to produce 1kg of grain and about 15000L to produce 1kg of beef.

There are over 7 billion people to feed on the planet today and another 2 billion are expected in years to come. In addition, with rapid urbaniza-tion diets are shifting. Water scarcity already affects every continent with more than 40 percent of the people on our planet. The lack of water lim-its farmers’ ability to produce enough food to eat or earn a living.

It’s amusing when you think of water all you con-sider is its significant to our livelihoods. Did you know that a human body is made up of almost 70percent water? Incredible isn’t it. Water as we all know serves for count-less purposes like; bathing, washing, drinking and cook-ing or in other words “water is life”. People can go without or with very little food for up to a month, but, we cannot survive a week without wa-ter. We need water in order to survive.

Like any other islands around the globe and the Pa-cific, the Mamanuca islands are apt to conserve water and use it wisely. Many of these is-lands depend on rain water for their daily routine. We should be grateful to have enough safe and clean drinking water in spite of the natural disas-ters that recently troubled our western division.

MES celebrated World Wa-

ter Day with its three schools in the Mamanuca namely Mana SDA, Malolo District School and Namamanuca Pri-mary School. Malolo District School hosted Mana SDA for a combined celebration, whereas Namamanuca Pri-mary School will ran a par-allel program on Thursday (22/03).

The day is set aside to pro-mote awareness and educate schools and communities on the significance of freshwater and the need to conserve it. Activities include Presenta-tions and Quizes from MES staff, Role Play, Oratory, Tree Planting, Poster Competition and Prize Give away for com-

petition winners. This is the second time MES celebrated WWD with its schools since 2009.

SOPAC together with Land and Water Resource Manage-ment have been advocating their program for the Western division. This celebration was funded by SOPAC’s Water Sanitation and Hygiene Pro-gram. So while MES focuses on schools at the Mamanuca, SOPAC and LWRM with its affiliates held a week long celebration from the 19th to 23rd March with schools and communities from Rakiraki to Sigatoka.

The celebration was to help raise awareness not only

in schools but also to business sectors and village commu-nities. The water that we use today has been circulating through the earth since time began.

It must sustain humanity for as long as we live on this earth. In that sense, we didn’t just inherit this resource from our parents, rather, as many indigenous cultures remind us, we are borrowing it from our children.

It is my hope that by mak-ing water a front-burner issue, a high priority in our national and international dialogues, we can give our children and our children’s-children the fu-ture they deserve.

Make water a front burner issueNadi Basin Catchment Committee chairman Bryan

Watson, left, shares a light moment with Minister for Agriculture Joketani Cokanasiga during the World

Water Day celebrations in Nadi. Photo: EMOSI LASAQA.


THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 1�

BUSINESS NOTICE BOARD

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THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER1�

SPORTS

Miniature golf course in Denarau

By EMOSI LASAQA

The many leisure time options at Denarau Golf and Racquet Club are just ex-panded with the opening of a miniature golf course.

The first of its kind in the Pacific-the creation is the brainchild of Thomas Gora and the deeply charming mini golf course is by far the new-est supplementary attraction in Fiji.

While the final touches are still being put on, it is already becoming a frequent stopover point for many Denarau citi-zens and visitors alike.

But Mr Gora was forever modest saying it’s just a start of many big things to come as he already has planned for more land based activities on board.

He envisioned its loca-tion as a walking destination for the hotel community and those visiting the already fa-mous Denarau Golf and Rac-

quet Club.“The idea is big in Ameri-

ca where they have big tour-naments but we don’t have to rush. This is for everyone,” said Mr Gora-pushing away the assumption that the course was designed for kids.

The former Aucklander, with business background in food and beverage said the amount he spends on the proj-ect is something he is reluc-tant to proclaim.

“That is between me and the local investor but we work hard and we completed most of the works in just five weeks. The weeks of heavy rain were a hindrance but we managed to pull through.”

The layout depicts the typi-cal Fijian tropical setting with designs such traditional canoe and birds spreading through-out the low level vegetation area.

Adjacent to the DGRC, the amusement centre also boasts a bungee trampoline.

Golf enthusiast Michael gets in a jovial mood after trying out his putting skills at the new mini golf course in Denarau. Photos: EMOSI LASAQA.

Andrea Mataki trying out the Bungee jumping.

The Jet Volume 4 Number 6 Webcopy

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