All Blacks rugby sevens head coach Clark Laidlaw is looking forward to the Oceania Rugby Sevens Championship which gets underway on Friday at the ANZ Stadium on Saturday.

Laidlaw said they got a good mix with experienced and new boys.

“This is an opportunity for the younger players to step up,”he said.

“Everybody is happy and the players are excited to play because we really enjoyed our time here last year. We are looking forward to some entertaining rugby.”

The side is the favourite in Pool B alongside New Caledonia, and Nauru.

“We will just focus on ourselves because we’ve got some stuff that we want to show in the game and try to play well as we can building to Dubai later this month

“We will just concentrate on ourselves and hopefully we can get winning on day one because last year we ended up playing against Australia and Fiji in day two. Hopefully we get even again.”

One of the experienced players in the side Tim Mikkelson said, “ It was tough competition last year and we should be prepared for that. Every time we come here, we get support from the fans. And every time we play against Fiji it’s always tough. So, we are excited and hope to do well.”

All Blacks 7s team: Jordan Bunce, Dylan Collier, Scott Curry, Sam Dickson, Scott Gregory, Taylor Haugh, Trael Joass, Luke Masirewa, Tim Mikkelson, Tone Ng Shiu, Amanaki Nicole, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, Joe Ravouvou, Andrew Knewstubb.

Black Ferns New Generation

Meanwhile, Black Ferns development team Coach Crystal Kaua said exposing the next generation at the competition was crucial.

The only experienced players in the team are Terina Te Tamaki, Huia Harding and Colarado based Shakira Baker.

The side is pooled together with New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Fiji Airways Fijiana and Nauru.

The Black Ferns play Fiji Airways Fijiana at 5.39pm on Friday.

The Black Ferns Sevens:Shakira Baker, Kendall Buckingham, Huia Harding, Talei Kidd, Rina Paraone, Mahina Paul, Chey Reti, Leanna Ryan. Kennedy Simon, Susana Sotutu, Grace Steinmetz, Terina Te Tamaki, Janna Vaughan.

Feedback:  waisean@fijisun.com.fj

Fiji Airways will sponsor the Fiji Paralympic Committee (FPC) for the next two years. The sponsorship deal, worth $50,000 per year in travel, will see the national carrier become the Official Airline of Fijian Paralympians.

The sponsorship brings Fijian Paralympians into a proud stable which consists of all Fiji national rugby teams and the all-conquering BNZ Crusaders.

Andre Viljoen, Fiji Airways managing director and CEO said: “We are pleased to welcome Fijian Paralympians to the Fiji Airways family. Their determination and sacrifice is an inspirational to all of us here at Fiji Airways and indeed, to all Fijians. They break barriers in their bid to achieve glory for the country. We are confident that our support will help them achieve Paralympic glory by attending various international competitions for training and exposure.”

Sakiusa Bolaira, Fiji Paralympic Committee Board Member said: “To join the National Airline’s already impressive sponsorship assets is a massive honour for Fiji Paralympics. It is exactly the kind of support and confidence that will inspire more and more Fijians who are differently-abled to join our cause. Fiji Airways and Fiji Paralympics will also embark on joint consumer campaigns, starting with the arrival of the airline’s new narrow body fleet in December.

Fiji  Airways

Fiji Basketball signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kinton International Group as team kit sponsors for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Men’s Cup 2018 Pre –Qualifiers yesterday.

The FIBA Asia Men’s Cup 2018 Pre –Qualifiers will be played on November 24 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Kinton International Group Managing Director William Ngan congratulated the Fiji men’s team for making it to the 2021 Pre-Qualifiers

“Kinton is happy to be sponsoring the uniforms for the team.  We wish them all the very best in their preparations for the tournament,”he said.

“At Kinton, we are committed with our CSR campaign “better fiji”. We had hosted Raka 7’s, the First plastic free Rugby tournament in Fiji, to address climate change issue.

“We believe sports is an essential tool to promote positive message and improve living standard.

“Sponsoring the Fiji team will help promote the message ‘violence not in our game plan’ to be in line with our theme at upcoming Raka 7’s on Nov 30 to Dec 1 at the ANZ Stadium.”

Meanwhile, Fiji Basketball president Major General (Ret’d) Ioane Naivalurua thanked Kinton International Group for the sponsorship.

“I wish to acknowledge the contribution that you have made not only to basketball but to the various sports in Fiji,”he said.

Edited by Osea Bola

Feedback:  grace.narayan@fijisun.com.fj

Fiji Football Association received a timely boost of $15,000 from Vodafone Fiji yesterday.

This is for the hosting of the 2018 Vodafone National Club Championship this weekend.

Sixteen teams from the western and southern zones will compete for the top spot.

The games for the western zone will be played at the Fiji FA Academy ground in Ba while the southern zone competition will be played at the Fiji FA Academy ground in Suva from Friday to Sunday.

Fiji FA vice-president Yogeshwar Singh was grateful for Vodafone continued support.

“I would like to thank Vodafone Fiji for its continuous support over the past four years,” Singh said.

“And for the first time the NCC will have a 90-minute match and Fiji FA believes that the 90 minute football is the way forward for the sport in the country.

“So from the 8 teams in each competition only four will qualify for the finals.

Meanwhile, Vodafone manager sponsorship Adriu Vakarau highlighted that NCC is getting bigger and better every year since its inception in 1986.

“This is where all the top clubs come together and compete.

“Vodafone Fiji has sponsored the competition for the last four years and we are excited yet again to sponsor this year.

Southern Zone

Pool A : Chelsea, Kasavu, Bureta, Navuso Barbarians;

Pool B: Friends, Nakasi Lions, Combine Brothers,Buiduna;

Western Zone

Pool A: Tuva, Blues, Service, Yalalevu;

Pool B: Cameroon, FC Gandhi Lionz, FC City United, Nailaga.

Edited by Osea Bola

Feedback:  grace.narayan@fijisun.com.fj

Five Government Shipping Services vessels are engaged in the maritime zone for pre-poll voting prior to the General Elections on November 14, 2018.

In a press release yesterday from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport it listed MV Cagivou, MLC Sigavou, MV Iloilovatu and MV Veivueti have already left for the Eastern Division for pre-polling.

On the vessels were more than 150 Fijian Election Office (FEO) officials assigned to maritime communities for pre-poll voting.

Fijian Elections Office officials boarding MLC Vunilagi for the Lau Group on November 6, 2018.

“Four Government vessels MV Cagivou, MLC Sigavou, MV Iloilovatu and MV Veivueti are currently engaged in this event while MLC Vunilagi is departing today (yesterday),” acting Permanent Sectrary David Kolitagane.

“The four early vessels had departed on Sunday, November 4,” he said.

MV Cagivou had departed for Namuka with 35 officials for Namuka I Lau, Komo, Moce, Oneata, Vanuavatu, Nayau, Tuvuca, Mago, Vanua Balavu (Susui, Namalata, Cikobia and Avea), Naitauba and Yacata.

MLC Sigavou departed for Ogea with 24 officials.

The FEO officials on MLC Sigavou have completed Fulaga (Muanaicake & Naividamu) and Ogea village Monday. The team is currently at Kabara.

MV Iloilovatu had departed for Kadavu with 70 officials. The team had completed Dravuwalu, Muanisolo, Mataso, Namara and Galoa village on Monday.

They are currently at Nabukelevu i ra.

MV Veivueti was also assigned for Kadavu and had departed for Galoa with 53 officials.

The team had completed Naivakarauniniu, Vunisei, Daku, Gasele, Nakasaleka, Nakaunakoro on Monday and is currently at Kavala.

MLC Vunilagi departed yesterday afternoon for Matuku and Totoya Islands in the Lau Group.

– Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport

Diwali is a time to empower your spiritual life, to remove the negative vibes from both inside and outside the minds and move on towards the better enlightened version of oneself.

Transam Fiji Limited accountant Dhiraj Prasad made the statement during the company’s Diwali celebrations yesterday.

“It is also a time of a get together for the entire family as the festival brings positivity and happiness all around,” Mr Prasad said.

“Not just that, Diwali is also an auspicious time for shopping.  We buy new clothes or gifts for our friends, relatives, colleagues and neighbours,” he said.

“Exchanging gifts is an important part of the celebration; it includes dry fruits, sweets and seasonal specialties. Firecrackers are also an inevitable part of the celebration. ”

Work stopped for an hour as more than 20 staff celebrated Diwali yesterday at their Rodwell Road office in Suva.

“Diwali is celebrated by all the communities together and was marked as the victory of light over darkness, good over evil.

“The festival of lights is celebrated across the globe.” Mr Prasad said.

“From childhood, we have heard stories related to this festival. Each story carries different versions of the stories for the day.”

The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) will be handing over the  ‘Marrakech Business Action For Climate’ (MBA 4 Climate) presidency to Poland next month.

FCEF took over  the Global Employers Network’s MBA4 Climate presidency from Morocco in January.

This was confirmed by the FCEF chief executive officer Nesbitt Hazelman, who in an interview said: “We are handing over to Poland at the end of the year.

“The team leaves for Poland on the December 2, where we hope to hold a few side events and also champion and showcase some of the best practices that we have managed to achieve in Fiji.”

Meanwhile, Federation in collaboration with the COP23 Secretariat will be hosting a responsible business breakfast on Monday  at the Grand Pacific Hotel

The theme for the networking breakfast is ‘We Are All in the Same Canoe: Resilient Business & Communities to mark National Climate Day’.

Mr Hazelman said: “It was an opportunity for the private sector through FCEF to bring key stakeholders together and we used this platform to allow some of our members to address various stakeholders on what they have been doing in their businesses.

“How they have been making this transition to take in to account climate change adaptation and mitigation with their business practices.

“It was an opportunity to talk about the good stories that have been happening out there and also for businesses to network with other key stakeholders and development partners.

“The turnout was overwhelming we had everyone turn out at 7am so it goes to show the interest on the work that FCEF has been doing over the last year since taking over the Presidency of the Private sector arm of Climate Change.

“The issues we addressed over the years have sort of sunk home in terms of what the private sector is doing in assisting Government achieve its objective of over 1.5 per cent emission which we continue to do that.

“For the private sector it’s basically walking the talk and we put our backs with Government and in ensuring that we address some of these pertinent issues in relation to climate change in Fiji.

“We had received good assistance from the COP 23 secretariat and they continue to support our initiatives and we thank them for that as the saying goes we are sailing the same canoe.

“This is an opportunity to say thank you and this is what we are doing to assist you in the area.

“We also like to acknowledge the UK Government for their assistance.”

Feedback:  maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj

Tis the season to be jolly.

Yesterday marked the day that the right of landowners to a fair share of mineral royalties for the extraction of minerals under their land comes to fruition.

Thanks to the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and his FijiFirst Government

It marks a milestone event not only for the landowners but also for the mining sector and also the Government of Fiji.

The Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Lands and Mineral Resources Faiyaz Koya yesterday disbursed the fair share of mineral royalties to landowners of Nasomo, where $65,221 was distributed to 100 landowners.

The landowners will receive $652.21 each.

Mr Koya said: “It is not a one off payment but a series of payments depending on the amount of mineral being mined by Vatukoula Gold Mine as it operates and continues to mine below your land.

Share of royalty

“The share of the royalty is for the gold mining at Vatukoula Gold Mine by the Vatukoula Gold Mine Ltd (VGML).

“I would also like to acknowledge the Vatukoula Gold Mine for paying the mining royalty initially to the Mineral Resources Department.”

Mr Koya thanked the landowners of Nasomo that were involved in the consultation with staff of the Ministry of Lands and Minerals in particular the Turaga ni Koro, the Trustees for the Nasomo Landowners in working with staff of the Mineral Resources Department in sorting out issues and making this historical day possible.

mr Koya said: “This fair share payout to landowners is in recognition of their contribution to national development through the use of their land for the purpose of mining.

“This will also assist in socio-economic development and economic empowerment of indigenous landowning communities and boost local economic activity in rural areas, improve quality of life as per vision of the government for equitable benefit sharing.

“I hope that these monies which the Government has shared with you today will be put to good use for the benefit of your families and community and harmonious existence with other stakeholders of the mining community.

“This Government not only talks about caring for all landowners in Fiji, in this case for iTaukei landowners of Nasomo, but backs up its talk with actions such as this, indeed actions speak louder than Words on this historic and milestone occasion.”

Normal practise

Section 30 of Fiji’s 2013 Constitution mentions that all minerals are owned by the state. It provides for the owners of any particular land (irrespective whether customary or freehold) or of any particular registered customary fishing rights to be entitled to receive a fair share of royalties or other money paid to the state in respect of the grant by the state of rights to mine minerals from the land or the seabed in the area of those fishing rights.

“The normal practise is for the royalty to be retained by the state as the owners of minerals under Fiji’s Mining Act,” Mr Koya said.

“However the current government had passed legislation in the May sitting of parliament giving effect to section 30 of the constitution thus allowing the sharing of royalty in this case with native landowners.

“This is the new way of benefit sharing in mineral development in our beloved country where mineral royalty is shared equitably amongst landowners for the betterment of all concerned.

“This “fair share” law is the first of its kind in Fiji (and the region) and the landowners of Nasomo are the first landowners to receive this fair share of Mineral Royalty under the 2013 constitution.

“This proves Government’s continues effort to care for landowners in the utilisation of their land and in this instant for the added benefit for the provision of land for mining whether directly on the surface or indirectly as in case.”

Feedback:  charles.chambers@fijisun.com.fj

As Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the opening ceremony on Monday China will continue to open-up its door and grow wider.

The China International Import Expo (CIIE) is an opportunity for Fiji as a small island country in the South Pacific trying to make it to the international stage.

Fijian Ambassador to China, Manasa Tagicakibau, made this comment at the second day of the CIIE in Shanghai, China yesterday.

Speaking to Fiji Sun he said “If we look at the trade climate out there in the world, they are talking about protectionism and unilateralism.”

Mr Tagicakibau said these are the things that obstacle to trade.

“But China is doing the opposite, it is opening its door and will continue to open it wider to allow trade between countries. The Chinese market itself is huge. When you talk about products coming into that market we must be ready to produce in volumes, container lots to meet that market,” he said.

“Those are some of the challenges that we have, so we are taking another strategy to set up a permanent pavilion here in Shanghai.”

This pavilion, he said, was for small enterprises in Fiji where they could bring in their products to the pavilion and put those products on promotion. This will enable the people and the business community in China to see and access the product. And if they want to access they can engaged with our enterprises back home.”

Mr Tagicakibau said Fiji has four products that were already making their mark in the Chinese market these are;

-Fiji Water,

-Fiji Beer,

-Fiji Noni Tea, and

-Pure Fiji products.

Booths

The distributors of these products also have their booths at the CIIE exhibition centre.

Mr Tagicakibau visited the different booths yesterday and thanked them for taking their time in promoting the Fijian Made products in the Chinese market.

“We are fortunate to be here to be able to promote some of the Fijian products so that they can enter Chinese market.”

Mr Tagicakibau acknowledged the presence of the delegates from Fiji. These included:

-Investment Fiji led by Manager Regional Development, Lisala Dyer

-Director Tourism at the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Tourism (MITT), Nanise Masau and

-MITT Economic Planning officer, Shinal Prasad

“Despite the heavy engagement that our Government is going through at the time, in the preparation of election, …This is a high level forum and expo.”

Mr Tagicakibau said even though Fiji have the Consular General office here in Shanghai, he was happy that Fiji was able to send a delegation from home.

“To send some of the officials from home like the presence of the Investment Fiji and MITT, just that shows our commitment and it means a lot to the Republic of China. Even if we don’t bring anything  or not have much to exhibit but our presences shows our commitment to the cause.”

Feedback:  maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj

Fijians must see the good works undertaken by the FijiFirst Government in the past four years, says Krishna Ku­mar.

Mr Kumar, the Arolevu and Mara­sa community advisory councillor, made the remarks after the Fiji­First campaign at Nalovo outside Nadi on Tuesday.

He said a new-born puppy would open its eyes in six days and if Fi­jians still could not see the good works undertaken since 2014, then something was wrong.

He said: “I live about one kilome­tre from the highway. I have seen many elections since 1972 and all have come and gone. Over the years I hit my head on a rock be­cause no government came by to fix our water problems.

“Under the Bainimarama Gov­ernment we now have tap water, electricity and roads. I can tell you that 75 per cent of the people in my area have tap water.”

Mr Kumar believes the commu­nity advisory councillors are the eyes and the ears of the Govern­ment of the day.

“I am an advisory councillor and any phone call made, the answer is given to us. That is what we want,” he said.

“We all know that God will not come, but he will send somebody. That somebody has come today to see us.”

Edited by Naisa Koroi

This election is about you deciding whether you want the Fiji where the politics will be about long term goals and long term prosperity or you want to fall for the short term goals.

This was the sentiments by the FijiFirst party general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khai­yum at a campaign meeting at Pritam Singh Road at Tuirara, Makoi on Monday night.

He reminded the people of Makoi to vote for someone who could manage the economy, provide equality to everybody, think about all the developments around the country and not just about a single thing.

“Don’t vote because of only one issue, don’t vote for people because the price of cigarette, butter or lamb chops will come down, let’s think long term,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“Let’s not only come together when our Sev­ens team plays rugby, let’s come together in everything.

“This election is more important than the last one.”

He encouraged them to try and have a little bit of understanding about the economy.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum highlighted that there were people who had been blackmailing them in winning their votes.

“We’ve had people say that to us, the road is not good, why don’t you dump some gravel and then we will vote for you,” he said.

“I am not here to bribe you and you should not be blackmailing me, don’t say to me oh put a footpath and I will vote for you.

“You have to be a lot more sensible then that, you have to think long term.”

The A-G clarified issues in regards to the iTaukei land.

He said that not a single millimetre of iTaukei land had gone away from the iTaukei people sunder the leadership of Prime Min­ister Voreqe Bainimarama and since the es­tablishment of the 2013 Constitution.

He added that the Constitution “protected iTaukei land, it protected your right to prac­tise your religion, give all of us a common equal citizenry.”

“We are all Fijians. Let’s not fight about things there’s no need to fight about,” the Fi­jiFirst Party general secretary said.

Edited by Percy Kean

Feedback: selita.bolanavanua@fijisun.com.fj

Unaisi Lutu Vuniwaqa, our Commis­sioner leading the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), has become the first Fijian woman to ad­dress the UN Security Council in New York.

In a nine-and-a-half minute YouTube video uploaded by the United Nations, Commis­sioner Vuniwaqa spoke on gender-based vio­lence in Peacekeeping operations and efforts to improve the gender gap in the field.

She was briefing the 8393rd meeting of the UN Security Council.

Police Commissioner Vuniwaqa said that UNMISS had made great efforts to advance gender sensitive policing by introducing mixed Formed Police Units (FPU) where some 50 per cent were women.

“Evidence indicated that women Police of­ficers and mixed FPUs act as a catalyst that promoted confidence, encouraged survivors of sexual violence to report incidents, and enabled civilians to share strategic informa­tion that contributed to the early warning system of the mission,” she said.

She described UNMISS’ gender-responsive policing approach to its civilian protection mandate, enhancing protection for 200,000 internally displaced persons.

Despite those efforts, she said gender-based violence remained pervasive, requiring spe­cialised units.

In addition, she said support for national policing had been strengthened through a gender-based policing approach as well.

Increased deployment of women police was underlined by many speakers as a way of building trust with local populations, for which purpose the importance of the deploy­ment of ethnically diverse units was also stressed.

Commissioners present at the meeting were Ms Vuniwaqa of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Awale Abdouna­sir of the United Nations Organisation Sta­bilisation Operation in the Democratic Re­public of the Congo (MONUSCO) and Serge Therriault of the Mission for Justice Sup­port in Haiti (MINUJUSTH).

Increased deployment of women police was underlined by many speakers as a way of building trust with local populations, for which purpose the importance of the deploy­ment of ethnically diverse units was also stressed.

Some underlined pre-deployment training of United Nations Police, particularly in hu­man rights and gender issues.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

Feedback: maikab@fijisun.com.fj

About 30 fish wardens in the tikina of Nakasaleka in Kadavu were given their 23-footer patrol boat with a 60 horse powered engine to assist them in monitoring their newly gazetted Naiqoro marine protected area.

Handing over the new boat yesterday at Matasawalevu Village, Minister for Fisher­ies, Semi Koroilavesau said that the hard work now begins for them as they watched over their marine reserve.

“I am sure with the training that you have received, you will be able to uphold the laws and regulations of looking after your marine reserve and let me remind you that you must never take the law into your own hands,” Mr Koroilavesau said.

Tui Taveu, Apenisa Tabua said that they were excited to start with their operations and sincerely thanked Government for the timely assistance.

“We are grateful to Government for the assistance and this will in fact boost opera­tions with the marine reserve,” Mr Tabua said.

“We plan to have two to three men doing night shift work and stationed somewhere where we are able to have a bird’s eye view of the marine gazetted area.

“Villagers in the tikina are aware of the gazetted marine area and we will certainly work together to ensure that we protect our reserved area for generations to come,” added Mr Tabua.

The ministry has conducted fish warden training for most coastal communities around Fiji.

Source: Ministry of Fisheries

A local artist has portrayed his acknowledgement to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama of his good works – in a painting.

The painting expresses the artist’s appreciation to Mr Bainimarama for empowering young people to live life to the fullest.

These were the inspiring statements made by Assemblies of God (AOG) Reverend, Simoni Tagi, during the FijiFirst campaign in Nabila, Nadroga, on Tuesday.

Reverend Tagi, who also owns the newly established Sigatoka Valley Art, presented a painting of Mr Bainimarama. The 62-year-old acknowledged the PM for his good leadership, which he believes has empowered Fijians.

He said: “I like his way of leadership in empowering the Fijian people. This motivated me to do a painting of him and give it to him as a token of my appreciation.

“I am an artist and do a lot of paintings. This is the reason why I portrayed a picture of our Prime Minister. I hope I would be forgiven for painting a picture of him without his consent,” he confessed.

He told Mr Bainimarama: “I have been following you around and wanted to meet you personally, but was unsuccessful due to your busy schedule.

“I was fortunate when told by the FijiFirst president in Sigatoka that you will come to this village. I know it is God’s appointed time to finally meet you.”

During the campaign, Reverend Tagi unveiled the painting with Prime Minister Bainimarama.

Reverend Tagi said it took him three days to complete the painting, and his three children helped him as well.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

Feedback:  mereleki.nai@fijisun.com.fj

Designated inshore waters around Naiqoro Passage were officially launched on Tuesday at Matasawalevu Village, Nakasaleka, Kadavu by the Minister for Fisheries, Semi Koroilavesau.

The area is tagged as a Marine Reserve Area, with its allocated buffer zone area covering approximately 4.83 square kilometres.

Attended by chiefs and villagers of the tikina of Nakasaleka, Mr Koroilavesau said that it is befitting for the Government, through the ministry to thank the people of the tikina for this milestone achievement.

“Your presence to witness the fruit of your visionary leadership and foresight is indeed an example for the other coastal communities in the country,” Mr Koroilavesau said.

“I say this because I am well aware that you have been our partners for the last 15 years since 2003, when it was first discussed by your Elders and Chief (The Late Turaga na Tui Taveu) and the entire village, to set aside a portion of your local fishing ground as a marine protected area.

“You have set in place a model- for leadership in marine resource management and conservation at the community level, and the rest of Fiji would look up, and follow in your footsteps.”

This designated ‘Naiqoro Passage Marine Reserve’ is a ‘fully-protected permanent no-take area’- meaning that there shall be no fishing allowed within the designated boundaries.

Tui Taveu, Apenisa Tabua said: “It has been a long time coming and we thank the Ministry of Fisheries for working with us to ensure that all aspects were covered.

“I must also thank the chiefs of the Tikina of Nakasaleka for their tremendous support and vision and I believe that my fellow villagers at Matasawalevu will play their part well in protecting our ocean’s resources.”

Naiqoro Passage is host to the last main spawning aggregation for Kawakawa and Donu in Fiji and other key food fish species.

Source: Ministry of Fisheries

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Constant flash flooding during torrential rains will now be a thing of the past for residents living along Dravo Road in Tailevu.

Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) is currently addressing the issue by clearing drains and blocked culverts along the road and opening up outlets to the nearby river.

About 7.5 kilometres of drainage work is taking place along Dravo Road. It is located off Ratu Kadavulevu Road, 10 kilometres from Nausori Town towards the Bau Landing.

Vuniani Ranatora, 50, a resident living along Dravo Road said he and the more than 200 residents, relied on the road for daily access.

“I am grateful to see that the FRA and Fulton Hogan Hiways (FHH) are now working on addressing the drainage issue,” he said.

“When it floods, taxis and four-wheel drive vehicles are reluctant to cross the flooded road so school children, farmers and residents have to walk in the flood waters.”

Residents in the area have been urged to help keep the drains clean by not dumping rubbish into them.

The drainage work is expected to be completed by early November.

Source: Fiji Roads Authority

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

It will be an exciting yet challenging tournament for Melanie Kawa at the 2018 Oceania Sevens Championship which starts at the ANZ Stadium tomorrow.

The 32-year-old will be the coach of the Nauru women’s 7s team and co-captain of the Papua New Guinea team.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday Kawa said she was looking forward to the challenge as both teams will meet in the pool games.

“I am the coach for the Nauru women’s team as well the co-captain for the PNG women’s side and this will be the most challenging tournament ever for me,” Kawa said.

“I was selected as coach on a voluntary capacity just because of how well I play for PNG which really is an honor for me.

“But sharing the knowledge with another Pacific Island team in the Oceania 7s tournament is what makes it very special for me.”

Kawa added this will also be the first ever international competition for the Nauru team.

“This will be their first ever international tournament and the girls are expecting to gain experience and exposure at this level of rugby,” she said.

“It will also be beneficial for these young girls to enhance their skills and grow the sport in Nauru as rugby is not a popular sport.

“We got very powerful players in the team and if we get things sorted out, our aim will be met.

“As the coach my heart is with both the teams and I hope to see the Nauru team improve in every match and for PNG to qualify for the upcoming Sydney 7s. “

Edited by Osea Bola

Feedback:  grace.narayan@fijisun.com.fj

Tavea Village, Bua native Susana Sotutu is grateful to be home.

And she is ready to perform in front of her home crowd at the Oceania Sevens Championships which starts at the ANZ Stadium, Suva tomorrow.

The 21-year old is a member of a Black Ferns development team and this is the first time she will be playing at home. She has been coming to Fiji for the past two years to participate as a referee at the Coral Coast 7s tournament at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka..

“This is the first time for me to come and play in Fiji and I’m excited to be home where my ancestors are from. “I’m looking forward to an exciting weekend.

“I have watched my brother Eroni played here when I was six, there is no place like home,” Sotutu said.

This would be her second 7s tournament with New Zealand side after joining the development programme this year.

“This is a fantastic learning opportunity for me growing up as Fiji/Kiwi with both nations loving 7s rugby.

“Since a little girl I always enjoying watching the World Sevens Series, and now I’m enjoying coming into the high performance training environment.”

The former Jasper Williams and St Thomas Primary School student is currently a student at Auckland University of Technology doing double major on Sports Management and International Business.

She believes being a referee will assist her to become a smart rugby player.

“As a young player and referee it has helped me with the laws and to play smarter rugby.”

Susana is the niece of former national rep Waisake Sotutu.

Edited by Osea Bola

Feedback:  anasilinir@fijisun.com.fj

The Tongan 7s team aim to reap maximum benefits from the 2018 Oceania Sevens Championship which starts at the ANZ Stadium tomorrow.

Team captain Winitana Fotofili said despite the tournament being the first for most of the players, they are ready for the battle.

“The long bus ride from Nadi was quiet exhausting but the hospitality from the Fijians was overwhelming,” Fotofili said.

“For most of the boys in the team including me, this will be our first ever Oceania Sevens tournament and we looking forward to making a mark for ourselves.

“We are in a tough pool with Samoa, Tuvalu and Niue and we hope to knock off two teams to ensure a spot in the quarterfinals.

“The boys are all very excited to get on the field and hope to deliver their best performance.”

Edited by Osea Bola

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SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka said the role of a reinstated Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) will change if they form government.

Mr Rabuka was speaking to supporters at Newtown, Nasinu, on Wednesday which saw a gathering of 80 people turn up, a number of whom were Solomon and Vanuatu descendants.

“We will restore the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) but their role will change,” Mr Rabuka said.

“They will not elect the President and Senate.”

In the context of the 2013 Constitution, Mr Rabuka said SODELPA will ‘follow’ it unless it is changed through proper procedures.

“We will only change the constitution  through the proper procedure  if it passes and everyone has okayed it,” Mr Rabuka said.

The word ‘Fijian’

Mr Rabuka also reiterated: “We are all Fijians and it will be hard to change it since it is in the Constitution.

“We must accept it. Let our children grow up together and they should get used to it and will accept it as they grow older. It is called identity evolution.

“We have never had a constitution that stated Fiji was a Christian state but we have lived the Christian way.

“The way it is written in English is fine but how it is written in iTaukei in the constitution is the reason why the iTaukei are raising questions.”

Vanuatu and Solomon descendants

Meanwhile, with respect to the Vanuatu and Solomon descendants present, Mr Rabuka assured them that they were Fijians under the constitution and they should not be afraid.

“Don’t be afraid when you’re told that you have to shift. The place you all are living is becoming small and will not cater all of you. Some will have to move and some will stay. Do not be afraid because you are all Fijians under the 2013 constitution,” Mr Rabuka said.

“It is called new village movement. We will ensure that you all are safe. We will work with the committee that you have in place.”

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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