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Fiji news
18 yEAR old climate activist AnnMary Raduva organised a clean up at Nadi’s Wailoaloa beach yesterday as part of World Environment Day.
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Raduva who is a Year 13 student at Swami Vivekananda College, together with her classmates and extended family collected more than 24 garbage bags of trash.
Raduva says the beach clean up was a significant one as the world marks 50 years since June 5 was designated as World Environment Day.
She further says we need to keep talking about littering because people are still very comfortable littering and it is sad to come to a public place like Wailoaloa and find household litter thrown into the bushes and on the beach.
Raduva adds the theme for this year’s World Environment Day is Only One Earth and it means so much for her and her generation because they need to highlight the need to live sustainably with nature by choosing a greener, litter free and sustainable lifestyle.
She also thanked her extended family and classmates for helping her in the clean-up.
giants awaken – nadi reclaims Farebrother trophy
nAITASIRI’S rugby brickwall defence that had withstood past Farebrother Trophy challenges, crumbled in the last three minutes of its doubleheader challenge against Nadi at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori yesterday.
It left to ruins the hillmen’s stronghold in the 82-year-old Fijian coveted silverware after the jetsetters escaped with a 1412 victory.
But the toast of the feat belonged to 28-year-old farmer and fullback Tevita Mociu, who successfully kicked the last penalty in the 77th minute to take the trophy down West.
Referee Tevita Rokovereni awarded Nadi the penalty 18 metres from the uprights after a Naitasiri player was penalised for infringement.
Mociu, who missed a penalty from almost the same spot in the 25th minute, quickly said a silent prayer before sending the ball through the uprights to send the Nadi crowd into a frenzy before the referee blew game over.
“As I placed the ball, I said a small prayer asking God for His guidance,” he said after the match.
“I said to myself, ‘It’s now or never Mociu.’ I looked at the posts, closed my eyes, focused on the ball and walked towards it. It was my longest walk in the match because if I miss, we will lose. I knew I was confident, but I let God do the rest. I am happy that I helped our team win.”
Nadi and Naitasiri fired all munitions at each other.
The bulky westerners used their forwards to creep towards Naitasiri, but the Dr Ilaitia Tuisese Jrcoached hillmen, small in size but barbaric in defence, endlessly punched through the visitors’ line in the duel.
Nadi missed two early penalties in the first quarter, but was successful in the 30th for 3-nil lead after fly half Viliame Bibote nailed a penalty after Naitasiri’s Inoke Ravuiwasa was penalised for dangerous play.
Winger Solomome Tavai capped off a three-phase Nadi attack towards the Nausori airport end of the park to further the lead 8-0 at halftime. Naitasiri hit back with two tries within the first five minutes of the second spell to lead 12-8 .
But mistakes cost them the lead after Bibote landed a penalty in the 63rd minute.
Nadi 11-12 Naitasiri. Nadi threw everything at Naitasiri, but the champion stood firm in their defence even with the opposition camping five metres from the try line for about 10 minutes.
In desperate defence, a Naitasiri player was sighted for infringement with Rokovereni awarding a penalty.
It was the mistake that Nadi wanted and Mociu broke the hearts of the hosts to end their winning streak. His skipper Ron Katonivere said it was a hard fought battle.
“We were lucky because Naitasiri is Naitasiri and they were the better team. It was a tough match.”
Naitasiri coach Dr Tuisese Jr said mistakes were their enemy.
“It was not our day. We played well but we faltered in the last minute. Congratulations to Nadi, we’ll have another chance and we’ll work hard again.”
TEAMS
nADI: 1-23: Katonivere, Maikeli Sivo, Josua Kotobalavu, Sitiveni Yabaki, Sivaniolo Lumelume, Jolame Luvevou, Ilisoni Galala, Veniona Vuki, Marika Tivitivi, Viliame Bibote, Tavai, Vilive Aria, Eseroma Nabalawa, Jiutasa Nave, Tevita Mociu, Viliame Tui, Kenneth Delai, Joseva Nadolo, Aporosa Saukuru, Jaoji Koroi, Navitalai Drau, Orisi Erenavula, Semesa Muadonu. nAITASIRI: Asiveli Rokoua, Jone Naqiri, Ravuiwasa, Esika Macu, Sitiveni Kaila, Jone Navori, Maciu Vakacabeqoli, Sireli Kaloucava (Cpt), Anasa Naqiri, Kini Douglas, Vili Kanatabua, Peni Tubuna, Filimoni Waqa, Kaliova Mocetara, Etonia Roko, Jone Vatukela, Waisea Daveta, Joeli Veitayaki, Inoke Tuisese, Tomasi Naiduki, Simi Drotini, Vatili Vosawale, Uraia Torau.
world bank approves $106m for Fiji: bainimarama
THE World Bank has approved $106 million to assist in the effective and efficient implementation of Fiji’s National Development Plan.
Speaking on Radio Fiji One’s, Na Noda Paraiminisita program, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says these funds will be used to generate employment opportunities, diversify Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, and engage people in various sustainable development projects.
He says these initiatives are a continuation of the government’s COVID-19 recovery support targeting people who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, particularly women and youth.
“This is an initiative to assist individuals to bounce back on track after the implications posed by the pandemic and climate change. The government has so far spent $430 million in COVID-19 recovery. One way in which the World Bank has assisted Fiji is to rebuild the lives of Fijians who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, and this is also part of the social protection system.”
Bainimarama says of the total amount given by the World Bank, the government will use around $18 million to protect our natural resources, known as the Job for Nature initiative.
He stresses that this is an avenue that will assist most Fijians in the rural and maritime areas.
The Prime Minister adds that this initiative will run for a span of four years and Fiji must be thankful for the World Bank’s trust in us and continue the good relationship that has existed for over fifty years.
2 men charged for burglary incident in lautoka
TWO men are in police custody for their alleged involvement in a burglary incident in Lautoka on Friday.
Both were arrested within half an hour of a report received through Crime Stoppers Fiji.
Chief Operations Officer, ACP Abdul Khan says the two allegedly broke into a business premises along Vitogo Parade after 1am and stole a till, cash and other items which have all been recovered.
Both men who are in their 20s were arrested outside the premises.
They have been charged with one count of aggravated burglary and theft each and will be produced in the Lautoka Magistrates Court tomorrow.
ACP Khan has also commended the support of the public who continue to share information about criminal activities either through the 917 Police Emergency line or the 919 Crime Stoppers line.
increase in animals on and near the road due to the cold season – ltA
DRIvERS are being urged to remain cautious at all times as there has been an increase in the number of animals on and near the road.
The Land Transport Authority says as the cold season approaches, drivers will notice more animals moving to roads and highways for warmth which pose a major hazard.
Acting LTA CEO Irimaia Rokosawa says drivers are already reporting an increase in the number of horses and cattle on roadsides, especially along the Coral Coast and Sigatoka areas.
Rokosawa says there are also more reports of near-misses coming in and he is urging drivers and passengers to be vigilant at all times.
He says when a driver swerves or stops to avoid hitting an animal, this could trigger a host of other situations such as a collision with an oncoming vehicle.
Rokosawa is also urging owners to secure their animals as this could mean the difference between life and death for a family.
women of nabudrau, tailevu receive timely assistance
IT was a joyous occasion for 40 active members of the Nabudrau Women’s Group in Tailevu after receiving a grant to help kick start income generating projects.
While officiating at the handover of the grant, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Rosy Akbar says the $6,000 grant is being funded under the Office of the Prime Minister’s small grant scheme.
Akbar says it is encouraging that more women are today becoming vocal and bold enough to ask for what they need.
She told the women present that they are potential entrepreneurs who are equipped to make their own money from this project and must receive this assistance as a new opportunity and a chance to progress into a proper micro-business.
