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Fiji News
apologise: camillo to rabuka –i will not, He replies
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tHE People’s Alliance leader will not apologise to its former Nadi Branch president for not making the cut to contest the 2022 General Election under the party banner.
Yesterday, Abel Camillo demanded an apology from Sitiveni Rabuka, claiming that Mr Rabuka disrespected his application, and lied to him and the people of Fiji.
Responding to Mr Camillo’s demand for an apology, Mr Rabuka said he would not apologise because Mr Camillo had withdrawn and resigned from the party, and went through the normal process.
Mr Camillo said: “He has to apologise for the way he treated me.”
“He stopped answering my calls and emails and disrespected my application as the People’s Alliance (PA) representative for Rotuma,” Mr Camillo said, adding that he had fulfilled the criteria to be a candidate.
“He didn’t say who the selectors were and didn’t even tell me about not meeting the requirements.”
“He emailed my aunt in Australia and that was how I found out that I did not make it as an applicant.”
“He disrespected me.”
Mr Camillo criticised the PA candidate line-up saying no Rotuman’s were selected even though an Alfred Taito and himself had applied from Nadi and that certain members who made no contributions to the party were selected.
Furthermore, he claimed to have spent $250,000 in 18 years to build his network and that the party had used him.
He also made serious allegations of misuse of funds by PA youths which Mr Rabuka said he could not comment on and referred the query to the party Treasurer Joseva Namisi Leano.
“They have treated the party like a village.”
“There was abuse of money from the youths during the launch in Nawaka,” Mr Camillo claimed.
Responding to Mr Camillo’s demand for an apology, Mr Rabuka said he would not apologise because Mr Camillo had withdrawn and resigned from the party and went through the normal process.
“A lot of people have done so much for the party, but only 55 can be selected.”
“We’ve got 75 at the moment as provisional candidates and that will depend on the final clearance by the Supervisor of Elections and Registrar of Political Parties,” Mr Rabuka said.
He acknowledged Mr Camillo’s application, but stated that he was not part of the committee that rejected his application and was only part of the interview panel.
“We will not apologise to Mr Camillo.”
“We have done what we have done.”
“We have informed everybody and asked them to stay with the party and it is their choice what they do after that.”
“We have a long list of 150 that we interviewed and we had a provisional list of 55 plus reserves.”
SAJAL NARAyAN
On the conviction of provisional candidate Sajal Narayan, Mr Rabuka said the party would replace candidates who did not make the cut for nomination to the supervisor.
“We called him and asked him to clarify the position because that was part of the interview process.”
“If any are knocked out before the nomination to the supervisor then the others will be brought in.”
“There will be others also that will be knocked back by the supervisor so it’s all part of the nomination process.”
He said the party would not hesitate to replace provisional candidates if they have the time to.
In the event Mr Narayan’s convictions are true, he said: “We cannot do anything.”
“A conviction is a conviction”.
“If that conviction amounts to a disqualification in Fiji then that stands, we do not have anything separate.”
“What we have to do is check with the legal authorities whether that also tantamounts to a conviction.”
“The lawyers have to find out if that conviction means any conviction in the world or only in Fiji.”
The remaining PA candidates would be announced next week.
$5 Million Music academy in nadi
AN ambitious investment plan proposal to open a $5 million music academy in Nadi by next year has been launched.
An ambitious investment plan proposal to open a $5 million music academy in Nadi by next year has been launched.
Fantasy Island, at Wailoaloa, Nadi, has advertised the multi-million dollar integrated resort development project.
The academy project belongs to Juxta Beach Fiji Limited managing director, Abbas Ali.
He said construction would be carried out in two stages.
The first stage would be completed this year.
“The second stage of the construction will have a museum and a musical art gallery; “he said.
“It will feature a photo and sound studio, exhibition rooms and an exhibit and display auditorium.”
Mr Ali was a former secondary school teacher and taught English and Industrial arts for 26 years.
“The whole idea is to bring back the tradition of music to our cultures and offer them the opportunity to realise their potential in music,”Mr Ali said.
BUILDING
The three-acre development comprises: eight classrooms, an entertainment theatre a stage for musical performance, and a lounge
Construction is expected to take a year.
The tender for the construction has already been called. managed by a board of governors who will be appointed from the list of patrons.
It will be affiliated to similar institutions in India for the purpose of maintaining a certain standard of teaching and conducting exams.
The academy will conduct standard music lessons for career and music businesses.
Singing lessons, concerts, live music performances and orchestral music involving 10 to 15 instruments, are part of the curricular.
Construction is expected to take a year.
tEAcHERS
Six music teachers will be recruited from India to teach Indian classic instruments.
Two teachers from Africa will introduce African contemporary music which is getting very popular these days.
Fantasy Island has six projects in the pipeline:
Commercial marina operations and construction of a passenger terminal building, Academy of music (cultural center) ready to start construction Fishing adventure park (partly completed, Water park resort and villas, Restaurant (ready for construction), and a Private hotel.
BAckGRoUND
Mr Ali said the initial ideas came to him when he resigned from teaching in 1992.
The plans were ready for construction but was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The fund to source the project is from their land assets.
FIJI Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry says mothers are the epitome of love, care, sacrifice and compassion.
He made the comment in a press statement to commemorate Mother’s Day.
Mr Chaudhry said a mother is God’s gift to mankind.
“She shares our joys, pains and sorrows,” he said.
“She guides us through life and teaches us the values that make us better human beings.
“She is uncomplaining when she cooks, cleans and tidies up our mess.
“She is merciful and forgiving – no matter how much you hurt her, a mother will ultimately forgive and bear no grudge.
“When we are sick she holds our hand and eases our pain.”
Mr Chaudhry said people needed to make a special effort during Mother’s Day to show how much they loved and appreciated their mothers.
“Make her feel the special person she is in your life — make her happy, shower her with love and tenderness.
“Some of you may never have this opportunity again.”
Man, 27, dies in road mishap
A 27-year-old man died in an accident at Waimicia in Rakiraki yesterday morning.
This has been confirmed by police spokesman Wame Bautolu. The accident happened at 8.30am.
“A twin cab driven by a 30-year-old with six passengers went off road,” he said. “One of the passengers, a 27-year-old man, died at the scene.
“Five of them are under observation at Waimaro Health Centre.”
Police investigations continue into the accident.
Heated exchange between ag and nFP leader over independence of Fccc
tHERE were heated exchanges between Attorney General Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum and NFP Leader Professor Biman Prasad in parliament today after Professor Prasad questioned the independence of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission.
It started with SayedKhaiyum saying that Professor Prasad has continuously undermined the Fijian economy.
Professor Prasad then raised a point of order and stated that the Attorney General was making wild allegations.
Sayed-Khaiyum then told Professor Prasad to come to parliament with clean hands.
Professor Prasad then raised another point of order and said that the Attorney General is lying.
Sayed-Khaiyum then said that Professor Prasad misheard him.
