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Fiji Daily News Welcome to Fiji Daily News. Here you will find the latest news from Fiji & abroad, sourced out from various places & put in 1 place for your convenience.

Its an unbiased page, where you can share your views. Racist & threatening remarks not welcome.

FALLING TREE BRANCH KILLS MARKET VENDOR By Koroi Tadulala16/12/2021A market vendor has died after a tree branch fell on ...
16/12/2021

FALLING TREE BRANCH KILLS MARKET VENDOR

By Koroi Tadulala
16/12/2021

A market vendor has died after a tree branch fell on her outside the Suva Municipal Market.

Her death has been confirmed by Police Spokesperson, Ana Naisoro.

The woman was one of two vendors rushed to the CWM hospital after sustaining injuries.

Suva City Council workers and Police are at the scene.

FOURTH DAY OF SEARCH CONTINUES FOR 7yo MUTE AND DEAF YOUNG CHIRAG. PLEASE PRAY FOR A GOOD OUTCOME THAT HE IS FOUND SAFE*...
15/11/2021

FOURTH DAY OF SEARCH CONTINUES FOR 7yo MUTE AND DEAF YOUNG CHIRAG. PLEASE PRAY FOR A GOOD OUTCOME THAT HE IS FOUND SAFE
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Search For Missing 7-Year-Old Continues Today

By Praneeta Prakash
16/11/2021

A desperate search for seven-year-old Chirag Murti will continue on its fourth day today.

Chirag Murti of Qila Settlement in Taveuni went missing at around mid-day on Friday.

An emotional Shyam Murti, the father of the missing child says as of yesterday they searched more than 600 meters of the surrounding area.

Murti says he wants to find his son, whatever condition he may be in.

He says it is a mystery as to how his son went missing.

Murti says his missing son is one of the twins and he is deaf and mute.

The father says his wife had gone to get coconut leaves on Friday and when she came back she found the seven-year-old missing.

RIP YOUNG TEMALESI 😢. Please do supervise little children when they are swimming****************************************...
14/11/2021

RIP YOUNG TEMALESI 😢. Please do supervise little children when they are swimming
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GIRL, 10, DROWNS IN DREKETI....Family tells how they lost youngest child, Temalesi

By Laisa Lui
15/11/2021

Her hands were the last thing children of Nabiti Village in Dreketi saw as 10-year-old Temalesi Votea was sucked under the water on Saturday.

She had become caught in a vortex created by a whirlpool.

She was swimming with other children of the village in the Nabiti River. It had rained the previous night and the waters were muddy as well. The current was stronger than usual.

Her parents, Kalaveti Rokosui and Kirisitiana Buasega, are still in disbelief. She was their youngest child and the only girl in a family with four boys.

As Temalesi was drowning, Sakiusa Sakarau, 11, was the closest to her. He was on a bamboo raft (bilibili).

“I saw her hand, I knew straight away that she was drowning and needed help,” Sakiusa said.

“I grabbed her hand. I held it tightly, but the current pulling her under was really strong. It was so strong that it pulled from my grip.

“I tried again and again, but it was like something was pulling her down.”

Emotional father, Kalaveti Rokosui said he joined a group of men who had already ran ahead to revive his daughter.

Mr Rokosui said his cousin Sikeli was the one who found his daughter’s body.

“On the third time, he felt Tema’s hair and came up for air and then dived down again and brought her to the surface and tried to resuscitate her,” he said.

“When I carried my daughter out of the water her body was heavy. I tried to resuscitate her and only saliva was coming out.

“We then rushed her to the hospital.”

Mr Rokosiu said he had named his daughter after his mother.

Mother Kirisitiana Buasega said she was surprised to learn Temalesi had gone to the river. She saw her taking a nap after lunch at a birthday party.

“Other children had gone for a swim and I had told her not to go and to go to sleep,” Mrs Buasega said.

“That was the last conversation I had with her.”

The last drowning in Nabiti Village was 25 years ago in the same spot.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Fiji Police Force said they would be performing an autopsy this week.

JUSTICE FOR JIYA JAANVI *********************************************ITS BEEN LIKE 14 MONTHS SINCE 14 YEAR OLD JIYA JAAN...
24/09/2021

JUSTICE FOR JIYA JAANVI
*********************************************
ITS BEEN LIKE 14 MONTHS SINCE 14 YEAR OLD JIYA JAANVI WAS MURDERED IN HER HOME IN NAMARA, LABASA.

Some people were questioned and released by Police a while back and thats about all thats happened in the investigations.

According to newspaper report, the last time Jiya's mother Rohini Lal received any update from the Police was 2 months ago. And they didnt call her, she had to call and ask.

It is very sad and disheartening that this case hasn't been solved yet. Feels like this case has been forgotten by Police. Feels like the file is just sitting there on some shelf in the station collecting dust.

While Jiya's loved ones and the Labasa community seek answers, the killer is still out there enjoying life, instead he/she should be rotting behing bars.

Pray and hope that somehow this case will get resolved.

Akbar Presents The 2 Boys In Viral Photo With A TV EachBy Semi TuragaSaturday 21/08/2021Remember that viral and adorable...
21/08/2021

Akbar Presents The 2 Boys In Viral Photo With A TV Each

By Semi Turaga
Saturday 21/08/2021

Remember that viral and adorable photo of two boys sitting outside on their neighbour's compound trying to watch one of the Fiji 7s team's games at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Those two boys from Lodoni Settlement in Tailevu each got a TV, antenna and set-top box from Education Minister Rosy Akbar today with the help of sponsors who wish to remain anonymous.

Akbar travelled to the Logani border to surprise 6-year-old Samuela Koro and 4-year-old Tevita Nakasamai.

She says a few weeks ago someone forwarded a message about these two boys moving around houses to watch television.

Akbar says she knows what that feels like.

The Education Minister hopes to visit Samuela and Tevita when the Logani border opens.

RIP NURSE SULIANA BULAVAKARUA. SO SAD😢A HERO INDEED WHO LOST HER LIFE HELPING OTHERS IN THE BATTLE AGAINST CORONAVIRUS *...
28/07/2021

RIP NURSE SULIANA BULAVAKARUA. SO SAD😢
A HERO INDEED WHO LOST HER LIFE HELPING OTHERS IN THE BATTLE AGAINST CORONAVIRUS
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Fiji Student Son Tells Of His Pregnant Nurse Mum’s Losing Struggle With Covid

By Josefa Babitu
28/07/2021

The dream of putting a smile on his mother’s face on his graduation day from university has become one that will never happen for Gabriel Gade, after his mother succumbed to the coronavirus that has killed dozens of people in Fiji.

“My ultimate dream was to make her proud of all her sacrifices, battles in life and the love she gave me over the last 21 years of my life,” he told Asia Pacific Report.

“My mother had to work all the time to pay off the mortgage, and I could tell that she was exhausted most of the time, but I think it was her love for her children that kept her going every day.

His mother, Suliana Bulavakarua, worked as a registered nurse at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH), the largest healthcare facility in the country, where his family believes she contracted the virus while pregnant.

After she tested positive for covid-19 on July 16, she was transported to the Covid-care facility in Suva, leaving behind Gade and his sister at home as their father was working outside of the mainland.

Her children also tested positive for the virus but have recovered. Gade was vaccinated with the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine while his mother was awaiting the Moderna vaccine that was to be administered to pregnant women.

Her daughter was not eligible for the vaccine as she was under the age of 18.

*Her Condition Worsened:

Her condition got worse on July 18 and was advised by attending physicians to deliver her baby by caesarean section.

The 44-year-old gave life to a baby girl but the battle with covid-19 was so intense that it soon ended her life.

“It was late at night on Wednesday [July 21] when my phone rang and I did not answer because it was a new number and it was late as well. However, little did I know the hospital was calling me to inform us of our mother’s passing,” says Gade.

“A team from the hospital knocked on our doors on Thursday morning and relayed the news that broke my sister and I into tears. The world suddenly stopped as I lost the one person I owe everything to.

“My mind ran wild but hours later I had to compose myself for my family, especially my sisters who will now grow up without a mother.

The Lau native said the teachings of his mother was something he would hold dear to his heart and would use in the upbringing of his sisters.

“My mother taught me to be generous, loving and to care for people that needed my help.

“I remember a night where I would do my assignments on my study table in our living room and during her days off she would sit on the couch and then she would try and make small talk.

“My mom and I had this relationship where she would always be pressed to do things like for me to graduate. My mom was always supportive of my endeavours.

“I love you so much mom.”

The “fallen hero” is survived by her husband and three children.

*Healthcare Workers Remember Fallen Hero:

The loss of Bulavakarua was not only for the family but for healthcare workers around the country as they took to social media to express their feelings.

A nurse posted on Facebook that Bulavakarua was the talk of the operation room at the hospital she worked in as they all reminisced her dedication to saving lives in the country.

Health Secretary Dr James Fong, in a televised address, announced the passing of the healthcare worker and said she was one of the many who risked their lives to save people from the deadly delta variant of the virus.

“This current crisis is demonstrating the essential, tireless, innovative and too-often undervalued role of health workers and our frontline colleagues in ensuring strong, resilient health systems for everyone, everywhere,” he said.

“They work long hours, sacrifice time with their families, and endure the stresses that this pandemic places upon them as individuals, professionals, and upon the entire health system.

“Delivering health services in an environment of constraint resources will often mean providing access to life saving care at the expense of comfort.

Meanwhile, healthcare workers are currently looking after 17,937 people living with the deadly virus in the nation where 195 people have died.

Fiji’s covid-19 case count stands at 24,424 since March 2020 with 6191 recoveries.

MAY THEY ALL REST IN PEACE 😢😢********************************************Dead On Arrival, Families Of Deceased COVID-19 ...
15/07/2021

MAY THEY ALL REST IN PEACE 😢😢
********************************************
Dead On Arrival, Families Of Deceased COVID-19 Cases Tell

By Ivamere Nataro (FS)
15/07/2021

Family members of the late Adriu Kaubale are still reeling from the death of their father.

Mr Kaubale passed away around 1:05am last Saturday, July 03 at his home in Naikurukuru settlement, Lami Village..

He was declared dead on arrival (DOA) by the attending medical officer at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) emergency department.

Mr Kaubale was 53 years old. Like similar cases, permanent secretary for Health Dr James Fong had announced Mr Kaubale’s death as a COVID-19 death..

But relatives of these deceased are disputing severe COVID symptoms as the cause of death.

For years, Mr Kaubale had been living with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), hypertension, and a failing kidney..

Mr Kaubale’s eldest daughter, Raijeli Tuinavitilevu said his father did not display any severe COVID illness symptoms.

“If he was positive, why haven’t the medical teams visited us, to let us know to isolate at home,” she said.

When Shine a Light visited the settlement, two neighbouring houses were cordoned off.

They were primary contacts of COVID-19 positive cases.

It was different for Mr Kaubale’s family. There was no yellow tape to cordon their home or officials to come by and swab them. Instead, they freely went about preparations to bury their father.

Mr Kaubale’s colleagues had arrived to build a shed.

The father of six was employed as a driver for the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport warehouse in Walu Bay.

He and his son were the breadwinners for the family.

In this weekend’s Shine A Light, we focus on patients who were declared dead on arrival at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital and later tested positive for COVID-19.

Most of them only have access to public health services.

Their families claim they were not instructed by the COVID-19 response team to isolate after the deceased was declared COVID-19 positive.

Shine A Light reached out to four families who recently lost a loved one either at home or on their way to the hospital.

These families questioned the capacity of our health system, its protocols and procedures for swabbing the deceased.

They claim there was no timely response from health workers and Police to attend to their emergency calls.

These families maintain that their deceased relative had passed away because of underlying medical conditions – not COVID-19.

Questions sent to the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, Dr James Fong and line minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete remained unanswered when this edition went to press.

Questions were also sent to Police spokeswoman Savaira Tabua, but they also remain unanswered.

Here are their stories......

1. ADRIU KAUBALE

Mr Kaubale fell sick a week before his passing away. It was Wednesday, June 30, 202.

He knocked off early from work and went to Bayly Clinic in Suva. He normally went there for his medical review.

Because he suffered from hypoglycemia, he often displayed symptoms of dizziness, shaking of hands and feet, sweating (cold sweat) and lightheadedness.

He was swabbed at the Bayly Clinic. His results came out negative. He also dropped his sick sheet at work on the same day.

That was the last time he set foot at his workplace.

The following day, (Thursday, July 1, 2021), he phoned his workplace to say that he needed more time to rest.

Mr Kaubale spent at least a week with his family before his demise.

His daughter, Ms Tuinavitilevu was emotional as she described the life of his father. Mr Kaubale was advised by his family to visit the hospital. But he refused.

“He knew if he had gone to the hospital he would be treated as a COVID-19 case,” Ms Tuinavitilevu said.

He peacefully passed away at 1:05am on Saturday, July 03, 2021 at his home, Nairukuruku settlement, Lami Village.

Ms Tuinavitilevu is adamant that her father did not die of COVID-19. Mr Kaubale consumed alcohol, particularly hard liquor, but never smoked.

He was on medication. Ms Tuinavitilevu recalled that they should have been more cautious and should have checked her father’s sugar intake.

In his daily COVID-19 update on Monday July 05, 2021, Dr Fong said Mr Kaubale’s “family reported that the individual had been unwell for at least a week with fever, headache and generalised weakness. He was not vaccinated.”

Mr Kaubale’s death certificate states he died of severe COVID illness.

“This is not true,” another daughter, Matelita Jane said.

“My dad gets constant headaches all the time, it was normal.

Test result was all verbal. Where’s the proof that he was positive, show us his results.

“They are saying he has COVID-19, but then we are told not to isolate.”

EMERGENCY SERVICES

A Police team arrived around 3:30am on Saturday, more than two hours after the death of Mr Kaubale.

Prior to that, all emergency numbers dialed by his family members, including the 917 line.

All were unavailable.

They were referred to the Lami Police Station. Still there was no response.

Even an ambulance was unavailable, the family claimed.

Ms Tuinavitilevu said around 2:30am, her uncle went to look for help.

Police then arrived later.

The family left home after 4am, and arrived at the CWM Hospital emergency department at 4:15am.

Mr Kaubale was swabbed as per the emergency department protocol. At 4:20am, his body was placed in the morgue.

Ms Tuinavitilevu said they were informed of her father’s positive result on Sunday morning at around 9 o’clock.

Mr Kaubale was from Somosomo, Taveuni.

He is survived by his wife, six children and five grandchildren.

2. SAIASI SULINIBAU BABITU

Saiasi Sulinibau Babitu was 60 years old when he died at his home in Lami Village on Wednesday, June 30 2021.

He had diabetes and kidney disease. He was admitted to hospital early this year for his medical condition.

Dr Fong had announced Mr Babitu’s death as a COVID-19 death. But his youngest sister, Vaciseva Babitu is questioning the cause of death.

His death certificate said he died from cardio respiratory disease, because of severe COVID illness and hypertension.

“He never showed any symptoms of COVID-19. It was just his medical condition, his body just gave up, the aging process just took place,” she said.

No medical team has since visited the residence since the death of Mr Babitu.

The family was not advised to isolate, Ms Babitu claimed.

They were never swabbed.

“The medical people kept saying that he suffered from a severe COVID-19 illness, but none of us is sick.”

Mr Babitu was not bedridden.

He was a retired security guard at Lami High School.

Ms Babitu said her brother never left the house during the second wave of outbreak that began in April.

He normally gets his medication from the Lami Health Centre.

She had looked after her brother for more than 10 years.

Mr Babitu was the eldest of seven siblings.

He was from Serua Island.

The day of his passing away Mr Babitu had collapsed in his home at around 9am.

But he was still alive.

He had gone for his shower that morning.

It was cold and his breathing started to change.

He passed away at 3:30pm.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Prior to the time of his death, there was no response to any emergency calls from the family.

One of his brothers’ had tried to get medical staff from the Lami Health Centre to swab Mr Babitu.

“But they didn’t have enough staff, so none of their staff could come up,” Ms Babitu said.

“I kept calling all emergency numbers if someone could at least come and transport him down, because he’s heavy, I even tried the ambulance.”

The family had to wait for close to two hours for the Police or medical professionals.

“And then I managed to talk to a doctor at the Lami Health Centre at around 5pm, they said they were going to come and swab him.”

But no one did.

Ms Babitu said there was lack of coordination between Police and health workers.

Police are the first responders to document someone’s death at home.

Transporting Mr Babitu’s body was also a challenge.

A family member volunteered the use of his work vehicle to transport Mr Babitu to the Lami Health Centre.

He was then swabbed at the back of the carrier by an on-duty doctor.

“We never saw any result of the SWAB given to the family. They didn’t even call us to inform us he was positive,” Ms Babitu said.

The death certificate received on Saturday morning (two days after Mr Babitu’s death) indicated he was positive.

Ms Babitu said they were also not informed of the new procedures at the morgue.

The family had retrieved Mr Babitu’s body on Monday July 05, 2021. But upon arrival, they were told to contact a health inspector who supervises COVID funerals.

Only four people are allowed inside the morgue.

Health inspectors are to be present to provide person­al protective equipment.

“We got the body out around 1pm after the health inspectors had completed supervising a funeral earlier in the da,” Ms Babitu said.

The long wait for a response from the medical staff also incurred cost for the family.

“We were waiting for his death certificate because we wanted to take out his body and bury him ear­lie1: I didn’t pay what they charged, it was more than $200 and I gave them $141.”

Ms Babitu claimed that medical staff were not being transparent.

“What is going on with these COV­ID cases?”

“Are they just collecting data on COVID deaths?”

“We were ex­pecting some of them to come and isolate us, but they haven’t.”

3. ALANIA JOANA RAKALEBA

On Sunday (04/07) Dr Fong had announced the death of a 93-year­old woman of Matata, Valenicina, Lami.

She was Alania Joana Rakaleba.

She is from the Solomon Islands with maternal links to Lau.

She died at her home on Friday July 02, 2021 between 8pm to 9pm.

Police had transported her body to the CWM Hospital.

Ms Rakaleba sufered from gout for about seven years. She was bedridden and on medication.

Her family helped her to the Lami Health Centre or CWM Hospital for medical review.

Her health only deteriorated a few weeks ago. Her eldest grandson Ni­umaia Rakaleba said she was also aging.

“She didn’t display any COVID symptoms, except that she would normally cough,” he said.

The family were to complete their 14-day quarantine on Thursday. Their house was cordoned off.

But a family member, in her 40s, had also tested positive. She was self-isolating in their home.

About four families in Matata settlement are living with COVID patients.

Their homes were also cordoned off.

The late Ms Rakaleba and her family were swabbed on Monday June 21, 2021.

They received their results two days later.

“But no one in our family dis­played any COVID-19 symptoms,” Mr Rakaleba said.

She was already at home for an­other week when she passed away.

“Eleven of us family members were all swabbed, and then we were told on Wednesday that we were positive,” Mr Rakaleba said.

No other medical team has visit­ed the area.

The late Ms Rakaleba was a babysitter for the Lobendahn family for about 40 years.

She is survived by her seven chil­dren, 25 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren.

She was not vaccinated.

Mr Rakaleba has received his first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine.

4. AMELIA BUKAYARA

Amelia Bukayara was to turn 34 years old in November.

She had suffered from type 1 hypertension.

Dr Fong announced she was a COVID-19 death.

She passed away on Friday, June 25 at her home in Veiraisi, Nadawa.

Her husband Rupenj Camini had just left for work at around 6am that fateful morning.

He’s the as­sistant supervisor (produce de­partment) at NewWorld Valelevu.

Ms Bukayara was swabbed at the CWM Hospital emergency depart­ment, where she was confirmed COVID-19 positive.

But Mr Camini insisted that his wife never displayed any symp­toms of COVID.

She would constantly experience headaches because of her underly­ing medical condition.

She was last admitted at hospital three years ago because of pneumonia.

And like the other two families, they were never advised by health frontliners to isolate.

CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO DEATH

The day before her passing, Ms Bukayara was selling her produce at her market stall outside Nayans Supermarket in Nadera.

Mr Camini recalled she followed him home when he knocked off work that Wednesday around 4pm.

He had bought their dinner and asked his wife to cook, unaware of his wife’s constant headache.

Mr Camini only noticed his wife’s sudden silence when he couldn’t hear her in the kitchen.

Ms Bukayara was in the room and unable to handle the pain.

Massage and panadol didn’t bring relief.

Around 11pm, her father, a church pastor, came to pray over her.

But Ms Bukayara’s headache only worsened.

At around lam, Mr Camini was awoken by his wife crying for help.

Thls time, she also started to vomit.

“I knew something was wrong, but she kept saying that it was just because of her headache,” Mr Camini said.

This occurred again around 5.10 am.

It was Mr Camini’s plan to skip work that morning, but his wife in­sisted that he went.

Ms Bukayara’s last words were to her eldest daughter in Year 8.

‘”I’m taking the lead, everything I own belongs to you’,” Mr Camini recalled his wife saying.
Mr Camilli only received the news of her demise during his morning tea break at work. Police were al­ready at the residence to relay the news.

SERVICES

The family were never informed to isolate.

“I told the medical staff that if she tested positive, what about us and what about our two children. They swabbed us adults, but not our children,” Mr Camini said.

He said services and procedures at the mortuary needed to be com­municated to relatives of the de­ceased.

“We were notified to take the body between 5am and 6am on Wednes­day June 30, 2021 for burial at Nas­inu cemetery,” he said.

“But when we reached the morgue, there was no date and time logged to retrieve the body. It was raining and we were told to return at 10am, so we came home.”

Ms Bukayara’s body was finally put into a body bag after 12pm.

She was from Navuniivi, Ra.

She is survived by her husband and two children – a daughter in Year 8 and a son in Year 3.

12/07/2021

A massive 873 New confirmed Covid-19 cases and 3 deaths as of 8am today. Change strategy now.

TEENAGER TELLS OF NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCEBy Nicolette Chambers10/07/2021Nidhi Goundar, 13, was seconds away from being the...
10/07/2021

TEENAGER TELLS OF NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE

By Nicolette Chambers
10/07/2021

Nidhi Goundar, 13, was seconds away from being the victim of a freak accident. She had just waved goodbye to her mother, who was heading to work at 9am on Friday when a vehicle plunged into the family’s four-bedroom home at Field 40 in Lautoka.

Nidhi had handed a bunch of keys to her mother, Sanjeshni Goundar, and walked back inside the house to watch a cartoon movie.

Just as she settled down, she heard a loud noise coming from outside and within seconds, a vehicle hit the front of their house.

She was speechless to explain the trauma, but her grandfather Madhwan Goundar, 69, said it would be an experience she wouldn’t forget.

Mr Goundar said the impact of the incident damaged the home would cost around $25,000.

He suspected the driver and passenger were intoxicated.

“As soon as Nidhi sat down we heard a loud sound, it was the vehicle going out of control and smashed the front of the building,” Mr Goundar said.

“Our television and other items are ruined and one bedroom and the living room sustained damage.”

He said after the incident, the driver ran to the side of the home to brush his teeth to probably take away the smell of alcohol.

The family has resided in the area for more than 45 years.

“Accidents happen frequently in this area because of over speeding and the community has called on relevant authorities to construct more road humps,” he said.

Eye witness Reena Nandan said she was outside her home and noticed the vehicle speeding from a distance.

Police officers have questioned the driver and passenger.

Business Goes Mobile To SurviveBy Siteri Sauvakacolo10/07/2021A Lautoka businessman has ventured into other innovative w...
10/07/2021

Business Goes Mobile To Survive

By Siteri Sauvakacolo
10/07/2021

A Lautoka businessman has ventured into other innovative ways of sustaining his eatery business.

Kaliappan Reddy, director of Mammu’s Pizza in Lautoka, has been a familiar face at police checkpoints in the past two months with his famous Indian savouries, delicacies and food wraps.

“I had to do this so I can pay my rent and the four staff I continue to employ,” Mr Reddy said.

“Things have been really tough for my business and this is why I had to find a way to keep things going in the current situation.

“It has not been easy but I have managed to earn something to keep the business afloat.”

Mr Reddy said this was the first time he felt his eatery business had been hit hard.

He said he had to lay off more than 30 staff members because he could no longer afford to pay them.

“Doing this mobile business is the only way to earn during this hard time.

“I thank police officers and those who have been buying the food I sell daily to keep me going.”

Mr Reddy said these earnings would be used to pay his rent of $1500 per month.

He added he would continue selling because he did not want to lose the business that had kept him going for the past decade.

08/07/2021

721 NEW COVID-19 CASES AND 6 DEATHS AS OF 8AM TODAY (8TH JULY) 😮😮

PLEA FOR MEDICATION - ‘There are people in Qauia who suffer from critical illnesses’By Arieta Vakasukawaqa08/07/2021Qaui...
08/07/2021

PLEA FOR MEDICATION
- ‘There are people in Qauia who suffer from critical illnesses’

By Arieta Vakasukawaqa
08/07/2021

Qauia settlement residents into their 17th day of lockdown are pleading with the Health Ministry for medication to be delivered to people diagnosed with diabetes and other critical illnesses.

A resident who preferred to remain unnamed claimed the only time the health team was seen in the area was during swabbing.

“There are people in Qauia who suffer from critical illnesses and they are in urgent need of medication,” she said.

“We don’t have problems with food, there is sufficient assistance in this area.

“The issue here is that sick people are in need of medication or medical attention from doctors and nurses.”

She said some people publicly aired their grievances after authorities failed to respond to their requests.

She claimed some people had unsuccessfully tried to contact the COVID-19 helpline.

Furthermore, she said police monitoring the border at the entrance to the settlement paid no attention to their requests.

In response, Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu said residents needed to work with the Health Ministry.

“We urge those living within the Qauia zone to follow the proper channels of raising their grievances,” he said.

In response, Ministry of Health and Medical Services permanent secretary Dr James Fong said there was a medical team at the bridge in Qauia.

07/07/2021

791 New Covid-19 cases and 3 more deaths. Its getting worse. Current strategy not working. Government needs to wake up and save Fiji. 4 week lockdown is needed.

Appreciate Your Parents.You Never Know What Sacrifices They Went Through For You!!A heart touching and a powerful messag...
07/07/2021

Appreciate Your Parents.
You Never Know What Sacrifices They Went Through For You!!

A heart touching and a powerful message.

(Source GMB)

Police identifies those behind Qauia protestBy Josaia Nanuqa07/07/2021 Police Officers have managed to diffuse the situa...
07/07/2021

Police identifies those behind Qauia protest

By Josaia Nanuqa
07/07/2021

Police Officers have managed to diffuse the situation at Qauia in Lami following an attempted protest by some of the residents this morning.

Acting Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu says from the initial investigation they have identified those who were behind the attempted protest.

He adds that it is rather unfortunate that those who had allegedly instigated the protest were intending to use the youth and hide behind the scenes.

Tudravu says those identified will be taken in for questioning once the lockdown is lifted.

He is reminding the people who are living in containment areas to refrain from instigating protests as it is against the law.

Tudravu says people in these areas need to let the Government officials know about their grievances and where possible this will be addressed rather than engaging themselves in some unlawful acts.

Tudravu adds people need to also acknowledge the efforts by the Government in the assistance been given so far.

Fiji Taxi Association wants duty removedTalebula Kate07/07/2021The Fiji Taxi Association (FTA) wants duty removed on any...
07/07/2021

Fiji Taxi Association wants duty removed

Talebula Kate
07/07/2021

The Fiji Taxi Association (FTA) wants duty removed on any vehicle bought for the purpose of operating a taxi business.

The FTA said this in its submission to the 2021-2022 National Budget.

It said taxi operators and drivers who wanted to purchase a second-hand vehicle would be furnished with a consent letter from the Fiji Taxi Association, secretary Ashwin Lal said in the submission.

Mr Lal said currently there was lower duty on certain types of vehicles used as taxis, like gas.

“The reason we ask for duty free on second-hand and firm out vehicles is that people provide false information to the car dealers in Fiji saying they want to buy vehicle for taxi business but they use that vehicle for private use.”

The FTA also submitted that duty be free on motor vehicle parts, car accessories and tires for vehicles used as taxis.

“Also, the age limit to be removed from taxis.”

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