A Prime Minister - that equals you and me!

Waimaro rates Bainimarama Fiji's top PM

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Anyone from the Waidina district under the leadership of the Tui Waimaro who works against government is also working against the directive of the Vanua, says Nabukaluka villager Simione Polotu.


Polotu made the statement while presenting a whales tooth to the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday at the launch of governments biggest rural electrification project at Nabukaluka.
In his presentation, Polotu told Bainimarama he is Fiji's best ever Prime Minister and he has the full support of the Tui Waimaro and her people.
Polotu told the Prime Minister - everyone who held the post before him had visited their district but no-one has been as caring as him.
He says the talanoa and grog sessions, have for the first time allowed them to raise their concerns and their problems with the Prime Minister personally.
Polotu says it has always been difficult to come close to past Prime Ministers or even have a talanoa session with them, let alone share a bowl of kava.
Bainimarama has recieved support from all the provinces of Fiji.

Capital Suva gets Govt Funded Facelift

GPH facelift to start in November

Ministry of Information

Aug 08|20:20 pm

Styled the ‘Grand Lady of Suva’, the future of the Grand Pacific Hotel and its potential was unveiled to guests including government representatives and members of the private sector. 
This after the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama launched re-development plans for the GPH at the Holiday Inn in Suva today. 

Applauding the efforts of all relevant stakeholders to revive this historic landmark, Commodore Bainimarama also spoke on the partnership between those involved to make this possible. 
“This redevelopment has been made possible through the collaboration and partnership between the Fiji National Provident Fund, the National Superannuation Fund of Papua New Guinea and the Lamana Group also of PNG. These three entities are shareholders in the GPH Limited,” Commodore Bainimarama said.

This collaboration between PNG and Fiji is a first of its kind.

“It is indicative of the growing economic strength of these two pacific Island nations. It also indicates to us the enormous potential and synergies that can be developed between Fiji and PNG,” the Prime Minister said.

The launch comes at a time when the projected outlook by international credit rating agency Standards & Poor recently revised Fiji’s credit rating at the same time acknowledging the growth of the Fijian economy. 
“The positive rating is no doubt an outcome of my government’s commitment to a sound and consistent fiscal framework, principles and practice of good governance and a reform agenda,” Commodore Bainimarama said.

“These initiatives and reforms encourage long term investment confidence, a sound financial sector and results in better and sustained livelihoods for all Fijians. This framework is already paying dividends. The redevelopment of the GPH is one such manifestation of this policy.”

While the  re-development of the hotel will begin in November this year, the completion date of this project will be in the third quarter of 2013.

The GPH will have a total of 113 rooms with 5-star standard including a 600 seat state of the art conference facilities.

Built in 1914, the hotel has been idle for almost 15 years.

Project commits Government to the Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress

PM to open biggest rural electrification project in Fiji

Ministry of Information

Aug 08|20:15 pm

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama will officially open the biggest rural electrification project ever-undertaken in Fiji tomorrow.

The Waidina district rural electrification project, which costs $1.8million will be officially launched at Nabukaluka at 10am.

Beginning in 2007 with the continued determination of both Government and the people of Waidina, this electrification project will finally see more than 800 consumers benefitting from the project. 

The project which covers 14 villages, seven schools and small surrounding settlements will be a relief for a large portion of the population that depends largely on generators and kerosene as a source of power. Given the financial setbacks of operating generators, villagers would often run these for up to three hours only. 

The project commits Government to the Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress by developing an integrated development structure at divisional level whereby developments can expand to the most remote parts of rural areas. 

Government’s emphasis on rural development allows various micro enterprises and rural businesses to expand their businesses and for the Waidina district, the electrification project should boost the district’s vast dalo and banana plantation businesses. 

This latest development is in line with government’s plan for economic development in intensifying farm commercialisation, identifying industry priorities based on demand assessments and strengthening agro-business networks.

-Ends-

Fiji firm commitment by Government liaison officers to Our Children

iTaukei Ministry commits to improving child protection

Ministry of Information

Aug 05|20:07 pm

Children in rural and village communities can expect better protection, love and care thanks to a firm commitment by government liaison officers also known as Roko Tui’s.

This commitment, taken at a recent workshop passed by the 14 Roko Tui’s who will be based in each province in the country, came about after a presentation from the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs staff and the United Nations Nations Children Fund (Pacific) or UNICEF Pacific.

The presentation highlighted the plight of children in Fiji who experience abuse, violence, neglect and exploitation.

The Roko Tui’s announcement comes after the establishment of the Child Welfare Decree 2010, and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs signing on as a partner to the Government of Fiji/UNICEF Child Protection Multiyear Workplan 2011-2012, in February this year.

This paved the way for the creation of a child protection policy in June.

Yesterday marked the first child protection awareness presentation for the 14 Roko Tui.  The presentation was made by the acting deputy secretary, Ms Loata Vakacegu.

She was joined by UNICEF Pacific Child Protection Program’s chief Johanna Eriksson Takyo; UNICEF Pacific child protection officer Laisani Petersen; Child Protection Communications consultant,  Jodi Qereqeretabua and Social Welfare senior child protection officer Clement Dari.

The newly drafted policy maps out strategies and activities iTaukei institutions will implement to ensure children develop to their full potential in an environment free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

The ministry and the iTaukei Affairs Board is now planning the use of its existing and biggest network to engage communities in the development of child protection plans and strategies, with the Roko Tui leading the way.

The commitment by  heads of the largest community network in the country to this issue, indicates how important children are to the people of Fiji.

The Ministry for iTaukei Affairs permanent secretary, Savenaca Kaunisela emphasised that all existing iTaukei mechanisms would be thoroughly utilised to drive the awareness program.   He is keen to see the program penetrate all 1169 villages.

The ministry begins its preliminary engagement with stakeholders and partners for the program shortly, followed by the first lot of training later in the year.

UNICEF’s Child Protection Program chief Johanna Eriksson Takyo said she was encouraged and impressed by the immediate attention the ministry and the board gave to children’s issues.

“The ministry has shown a serious commitment to the safety and well-being of the children of Fiji, first by endorsing the research done in 2008, then by signing up as a partner to the child protection multiyear work plan and now by endorsing the use of the country’s largest community network to spread the word of love, care and protection of Fiji’s children,” Takyo said.


Ends…

Unionists charged with unlawful assembly

Ministry of Information

Aug 05|18:45 pm

UNION GOONS should have known better! One left to arrive from Australia!

The Fiji Police Force has confirmed that unionists Mr Daniel Urai  and a Dinesh Gounder appeared before the Nadi Magistrate Court at 1.30pm today charged with unlawful assembly.

They have been released on bail and will  re-appear in court on September 2, 2011.

According to the police, the duo were conducting a union meeting without a permit as required under the Public Emergency Regulations or PER.

Ministry of Information permanent secretary Ms Sharon Smith-Johns said that it was clear these unionists  failed to gather support from union members overseas and were now targeting local union members in an attempt to undermine government reforms.

“We would like to remind members of the public that the PER is still in force and should be observed,” Ms Smith-Johns said.

“The law is clear in this regard and it’s a simple process of applying for a permit.”  

-ends-

FIJI GOVT REP - DOES A GOOD JOB FOR ALL

Fiji elected to Vice-Presidency of UN General Assembly

Aug 05|18:42 pm

Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Peter Thomson has been elected to serve as a vice-president for the 66th session of the UN General Assembly.

The 66th session begins on September 13 and will run for a year.

Ambassador Thomson, expressed deep gratitude for the confidence shown by the General Assembly in entrusting this role to Fiji at the United Nations.

He also gave every assurance that Fiji would perform the role with diligence and all due propriety.

The UN General Assembly has an elected President, supported by 21 elected vice-presidents.  The President of the 66th Session will be Mr Nassir Al-Nasser of the State of Qatar.

As a vice-president, Fiji’s Permanent Representative will be required from time to time to preside over deliberations of the General Assembly, when the President is not available.

In addition, vice-presidents are members of the UN’s general committee.

This committee is chaired by the President of the General Assembly and deals with procedural and organisational matters of the assembly’s session.                                                                                                                  

-ends-

Air Pac goes independent

Felix Chaudhary
Saturday, August 06, 2011


This I may say it is long overdue - Qantas is still a parasite to AirPac 

AFTER more than two decades of being a Qantas hosted carrier, Air Pacific has implemented an independent Passenger Service System (PSS) using the Altea platform.

Altea is a product of global travel distribution giant, Amadeus.

The national carrier became an independent Altea user after a six-month vendor review process conducted by a project team.

The complex project required the airline to:

* Replace the network and data feeds previously provided by Qantas;

* To integrate and test with many other systems and partners; and

* To establish a dedicated Air Pacific support team.

"The transition has been a complete success," Air Pacific said in a statement issued by spokesperson, Samisoni Pareti.

"And earlier this year, the airline took on full ownership and control of the PSS.