Fiji News

consumer council monitoring the prices of 21 basic food items after its Vat removal

CONsuMEr Council of Fiji CEO Seema Shandil says they are actively on the ground monitoring the prices of basic food items after the announcement of removal of VAT from 21 items.

Shandil says they are certain that the reduction in prices of 21 essential items are reflecting the removal of VAT and will address the increase in the cost of living and cushion the blow caused by the pandemic and the soaring international prices.

She is also urging traders to ensure that the VAT removal is reflected in prices of the basic food items announced in the revised budget.

Shandil says they understand that the removal of VAT may come as a challenge for businesses to implement in a short period of time and consumers are requested to double-check their receipts for proper pricing.

The CEO says consumers should keep copies of their receipts as it would prove beneficial in asserting any claims they might have against businesses.

She adds the Council suggests that consumers directly address pricing inconsistencies with businesses however, if businesses fail to address their issues, consumers can lodge their grievances with the Council.

nfP and People's alliance working together to rescue fiji from crisis - rabuka

Pro Prasad proclaims nfP will come into govt after 2022 election

PEOPlE's Alliance Leader Sitiveni Rabuka says the National Federation Party and the People’s Alliance have shown that they will be working together at the upcoming elections to rescue Fiji from the crisis we are in.

Speaking at the National Federation Party Annual General Meeting and National Convention at the Rishikul Sanatan College, Rabuka said his relationship with the NFP goes back to when he was Prime Minister.

He says they worked together with NFP in the formation of the 1997 constitution and are hoping to come together again to resolve the crisis that this leadership has put Fiji in.

Rabuka says Fiji needs a change in the direction we are heading.

During the meeting, National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad proclaimed that NFP will be coming into government after the 2022 national elections.

He says people have seen the impact of this government with the cost of living and other public services are not being managed well.

Professor Prasad says they will return this country to a leadership voted by the people and for the people.

The NFP Leader also praised the leadership of Rabuka and says Rabuka is more of a leader than those in leadership now.

Attending the NFP AGM and Convention were the General Secretary for Fiji Teachers Union Agni Deo Singh, former Minister Krishna Dutt, former Minister for Lands Ashneel Sudhakar, businesspeople and members of the public

the demon of coVid-19 has not left us yet so we must follow coVid-safe measures when we celebrate ram navami from today- Prasad

tHE President of the Shree Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji says he wants people to celebrate Ram Navami which is starting from today, on a grand scale but he is also urging caution as the demon of COVID-19 has not left us completely.

Sarju Prasad says he is sincerely happy that the nine days of Ram Navami will be celebrated without major restrictions this year.

Ram Navami is the celebration of Lord Rama’s birth.

He is also urging Fijians to follow the teachings of Lord Rama, reach out to people struggling during these tough times and help each other despite our differences.

Prasad further says the Sabha has spent many thousands of dollars assisting people affected by COVID and will continue to do this.

Ram Navami celebrations ends on the 10th of April.

Police yet to question anyone in relation to fatal hit and run accident in sabeto last week

POliCE have yet to question or charge anyone in relation to the death of a 25-yearold man in the hit and run accident along Barara Flat in Sabeto on Thursday morning.

Investigators also continue their search for another vehicle that was allegedly involved in the incident.

Police say the 25-yearold man from Vunaniu in Serua was a passenger in the vehicle driven by a woman in her 20s.

They say he was travelling with others who had returned from a night out and were heading towards Lautoka.

Police adds investigators have ruled out the woman’s involvement in the alleged incident as witnesses have confirmed that following the initial accident where the vehicle had landed in a drain, the victim had walked away from the scene of the accident towards Nadi.

Police further says the woman however has been charged with one count of careless driving and one count of driving without a driver’s license.

fiji water Pet bottles now made from 100% recycled plastic

FiJi Water PET bottles are now made from 100% recycled plastic and are also recyclable.

While speaking at the launch of Fiji Water's recycled-PET bottles in Yaqara, Minister for Economy, Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum says this initiative directly supports the Fijian Government's commitment to modernizing the economy through sustainable measures.

He says this contributes domestically and globally to Fiji's overall commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and build climate resilience.

Fiji Water says they are committed to improve their sustainability in three years.

They say they are seriously looking to replace their reliability on fossil fuel with either sonar or fuel cells and are also looking at making their packing more sustainable.

The company further says the government has been helpful with logistics and trying to eliminate all the trucking they have to do to the port and try and stop all the waste of energy.

Fiji Water adds they have a lot of initiatives to address those three things and they are committed to finding the solutions.

Fiji-UAE sign MOU in the field of manpower

MiNistEr for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Faiyaz Koya, representing the Fijian Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of manpower with the United Arab Emirates Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Dr. Abdulrahman Abdulmannan Al Awar.

This MOU will provide a platform for Fijians to explore employment in the United Arab Emirates and will offer an umbrella of protection for Fijians engaged in formal employment in the UAE.

Koya says Fiji is a services driven economy, with tourism and remittance from Fijians working overseas forming a large part of our revenue.

He says as Fijians explore opportunities in countries and regions, such as the UAE, the Fijian Government through such MOUs has a mechanism through which the workers are recognised and provided adequate protection in the country of employment.

Koya adds the Ministry of Employment will establish a process of information sharing and provide a channel of joint collaborative programmes, such as predeparture and post-arrival awareness.

While congratulating Fiji on the successful signing of the MOU, Dr. Abdulrahman Abdulmannan Al Awar shared similar sentiments stating that Fijians in the UAE continue to make significant contributions to both the UAE and Fijian economies.