Fred Wesley

PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has voiced his opinion about the security situation in the country as momentum builds in the intensified war against drugs. He hopes fear of the military is not the deterrent behind changing public behaviour in Suva, but greater awareness of crime and drugs. Now that makes sense. But then there is […]

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong made a strong point the other day when she said communities must remain at the centre of our response to the rising drugs and HIV crisis. She makes sense. In fact, it is the way to go. We are well into a crisis where our numbers are growing. We can […]

It was encouraging to know that the farthest participant at the Boat Master Licensing training in Nakawaga, Mali, Vanua Levu, came all the way from Caubati in Nasinu. Riaz Hussain travelled from Viti Levu to join 71 people who recently received their licences. His journey was the culmination of years of determination to gain certification […]

The principal of Glenview School, Lynda Knight, has made some interesting remarks about drug use. Ms Knight believes Fiji’s growing concerns over drug use cannot be addressed without tackling childhood trauma and mental health issues affecting young people. This makes for interesting reading. It offers a perspective that is often overlooked in discussions about our […]

It is encouraging to know that Pacific nations are moving toward a coordinated regional response against organised crime. It is the way to go. And this comes in the wake of growing concerns that criminal syndicates are exploiting weak borders, fragmented laws and limited enforcement capacity across the region. Speaking at the inaugural Pacific Transnational […]

It is a fact that we are now forced to face and make tough economic decisions as the “war-induced fuel price crisis” drives up the cost of electricity and public transport across the country. So, from May 26, consumers will face a 5.91 cents per kilowatt hour increase in electricity fuel surcharge and a 22.5 […]

Today is Ratu Sukuna Day, and we celebrate the life and achievements of a great leader, distinguished scholar, soldier, sportsman, and statesman with a far-sighted vision. The life of Ratu Sir Josefa Lalabalavu Vanayaliyali Sukuna left behind valuable lessons. His belief that the way forward for Fiji was through peaceful co-existence must be reiterated by […]

The revelation that the release of the official campaign period dates has placed renewed pressure on Government will attract attention in many quarters. That pressure centres on one key issue. Whether any proposed constitutional and electoral reforms can be completed before Fiji returns to the polls. According to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Government is still […]

United Nations Resident Coordinator to Fiji Dirk Wagener makes a strong point. Fiji and the Pacific, he says, must accelerate the transition to renewable energy if we are to ease the burden of rising living costs and safeguard our future against climate change. Speaking at the launch of the Clean-Up Campaign at Suva Point on […]

Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua made a powerful statement on The Lens@177 program by The Fiji Times, airing tonight at 7pm, that is certain to attract widespread attention. Fiji, he said, is simply too porous as an island nation to monitor every entry point effectively, making it vulnerable to the movement of illegal […]