STUDENTS - DO YOUR BEST!

Fiji students to study in Morocco

Nov 01|22:33 pm

Eight students will be heading for Rabat, Morocco on a fully-funded scholarships made possible by the Kingdom of Morocco and the Government of Fiji.

The Public Service Commission permanent secretary, Mr Parmesh Chand said the Fijian Government would be assisting the students with one way air fare tickets and allowance of $2,500 for each students while Morocco will cover accommodation, study fees and other requirements.

“The eight students will pursue further tertiary studies in the areas of medicine, engineering and science and are scheduled to leave on Saturday, November 6,” Mr Chand said.

A major priority of Government at this point in time is capacity building.

“Government is determined to utilize all educational opportunities provided to Fiji citizens by development partners and external donor Governments,” Mr Chand said.

The students will need to learn the French language first, before specialising in their chosen fields of study.

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From left: Aaqib Rahman –Bachelor in Electrician, PS Parmesh Chand, Melissa Sami – MBBS, Luke Vakalala – Dentistry, Tevita Rorrotovitovi – Computer Engineering, Amitesh Narayan – Bachelor in Electrical,  back row: Ifraaz Ali – Engineering, Khadeejah Whippy – MBBS and Abdul Shaheed- MBBS

APOLOGY - FIRST STEP TO FORGIVENESS!

Villagers to present traditional apology to PM

Villagers of Narocake in Rewa are expected to present a matanigasau to the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama this Saturday.

Strategic Framework for Change official Sitiveni Raturala says they want to show the Prime Minister that they support government and its roadmap.

The Bose Vanua of Rewa had earlier indicated that they did not support the current government, however it did support the development works carried out by government.

The Bose ni Yasana however - has shown its support to government.

Raturala says Narocake will now join Beqa, Kadavu and Nadroga - who are all part of the Burebasaga confederacy.

The Burebasaga confederacy is headed by the the Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa.

LANDOWNERS - Vinaka Vaka Levu (Thank You)

TLTB thanks landowners for land lease renewals

The i-Taukei Land Trust Board has thanked landowners in Navatuvula, Naitasiri for approving the renewal of leases for tenants in one of Fiji's biggest farming community - the Waibau Subdivision.

TLTB General Manager Alipate Qetaki says they have received a letter from - landowners giving their consent for the renewal of 56 leases.

Qetaki says this has happened despite many problems arising from the area including the non-payment of land leases from some tenants.

He says most tenants lease's have expired and they have a large amount in arrears.

Qetaki says concerns were also raised on the rise in road disputes.

It has come to light that some farmers living by the roads are not allowing those living in the interior to cross their land to get to their destinations.

The general manager is advising farmers that every lease has a legal access and if clarification is needed - they need to contact their nearest TLTB office.

Fiji North - Labasa Town Development

$3m hotel for Labasa

Plans are underway to have a $3m hotel in the northern town of Labasa. Labasa Town Council Building Surveyor Mohammed Faiyaz Ali made the confirmation to FBC News.

Although in its preliminary stages - Ali says plans are well underway for the project - which is expected to boost the northern economy even further.

"That will be coming up somewhere at Labasa's Jessie's Park. I think it has been leased out by the I Taukei Land Trust Board to one of the local developers, so they will inject close to $3m for the development of this project."

Ali adds they continue to recieve a huge number of applications from those looking to develop the north.

"The future of Labasa, looking at the type of applications coming in, is very bright because there's huge potential here in terms of industrial development, in terms of the agriculture sector and tourism of course and there's alot to offer in Labasa."

According to Labasa Special Administrator - Vijay Chand - the council paid up it's debts last month - making it the first town council in Fiji to become debt free.

AIR PACIFIC - BRING IT ON!

New aircrafts will boost Tourism

Air Pacific’s decision to buy three new Airbus A330-200 aircraft will be a huge boost to the Tourism Industry says Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association president, Dixon Seeto.

Seeto says it will not only lift tourism but the standard of the national carrier as well.

He says this will enable Air Pacific to better compete with other airlines in the world.

"We in the industry are very happy that this decision has been made because with the old aircraft like the aging 747 and 767 that they had it was not going to last for much longer and that’s good because we now have a lot of hotel rooms that still need to be filled and Air Pacific has got the seats and if we can marry the two like we have been doing and get some packages in the market place we will definitely grow the whole industry.”

Air Pacific will retire the aging 767 early next year and the two 747 jumbo jets once the Airbus arrives in 2013.

The national airline made the announcement last week.

Fiji Deep Sea Minerals - The Way to Go

Korean Company to explore Fiji's deep sea minerals

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Korean Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI) has been granted a six year mineral exploration license for deep sea minerals in Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Director Mineral Resources Department, Malakai Finau says KORDI will be exploring for hydrothermal deposits particularly sea floor massive sulphides in deep seas.

He says the location of the mineral exploration is far from the coastline in the west of Fiji.

The Korean company is expected to invest close to US$32 Million into the country.

Finau says the project is in its exploration stages and mining will commence once results show that mining is feasible.

The Mineral Resources Department processes license documents with companies having to provide a bond before licenses are released.

Report by : Christopher Chand

New Kidney Dialysis Centre for Fiji - We Thank All Parties Involve

New Kidney Dialysis Centre Foundation laid

Nov 01|22:25 pm

India’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Vinod Kumar laid the foundation for Fiji’s new kidney dialysis centre at Extension Street, opposite the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital’s  Accident and Emergency entrance today .

Kidney Foundation of Fiji president Mr Dewan Chand Maharaj told those present at the function the assistance of US$100,000 by the Indian Government prompted them to begin fundraising for the new building and to start looking for a piece of land in Suva.

“About six weeks ago I sighted this piece of land and God is always great he gave me this land and we bought it. It has been a long journey for us. The assistance by the Government of India through its generous donation started our fundraising. It has given us life,” Mr Maharaj said.

Two lots of land, next to each other on Extension Street in Suva were purchased

“We bought one lot for $220,000 and the next one for $280, 000,” Mr Maharaj said.

“Other donations included  US$3,000 by Vodafone Fiji, US$100,000 from an American citizen who sent his donation through Fiji’s Embassy in Washington, donation by Westpac Bank and also donation from US famous actor Mel Gibson.”

Mr Maharaj thanked the assistance of the Department of Town and Country Planning and the Government for their generous assistance.

“Let me reiterate the Prime Minister’s wish for everyone to move forward together which I believe is possible, and this is your centre and I need your support.” the Kidney Foundation president said.

The Indian High Commissioner Mr Vinod Kumar said he was honored on behalf of his Government to be laying the foundation of the new Kidney Foundation of Fiji Dialysis Centre.

“We are proud to be part of this ceremony, I think it is wise for the Kidney Foundation to have a separate building and provide treatment facilities here for Kidney patients at a very low cost,” Mr Kumar said.

The Kidney Dialysis Centre, which is run by the Rotary Club, a non profit organization is charging patients less than the rate charged in Australia.

“We have been working together with the Government of Fiji and institutions here in the spirit of cooperation, and  the main strength of the cooperation is the assistance given to the health sector and to see that this centre which started a few years back is able to provide the services not only to the people of Fiji but also to other developing countries in the Pacific,” Mr Kumar said.

While conveying his well wishes Mr Kumar said he hoped the centre would continue to grow and become the source of good health for kidney patients in Fiji and the Pacific. 
Fundraising for the new centre began way back in 2008 when the Prime Minister officially launched donations with $25,000.

The Kidney Foundation centre is situated at the old CWM Hospital and the construction of a new building for a new centre augurs well with Pillar 10 of the Peoples Charter for Change and Progress,which is to  improve health service delivery Fiji.