The Jet Volume 7 Number 6

FIJIS FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
MAY 2015. ISSUE 65
www.thejetnewspaper.com
50 CENTS
Westerners Reign
The Coca-Cola Games first-time overall Boys division winner Natabua
High School celebrate with chief guest Minister for Education Dr Mahendra
Reddy andThird-time girls division champion Jasper Williams High School
students and fans in jubilation. Photos: MARGARET NAQIRI.
By IVA DANFORD - NAISARA

The top western-based schools
in the 2015 Coca Cola Games were
crowned the champions of the
biggest secondary school athletics
competition in Fiji.
Jasper Williams High School
and Natabua High School made
historic win at the Coca-Cola
Games bringing both the titles in
the western division for the first
time ever.
Jasper defended their title for
a third successive year, while
Natabua won its first title in the
boys division.
Natabua coach Sairusi Naiyuku
said they had a theme this year
which was to stay humble and
simple.
We never underestimated any
of the schools because we know
they also came prepared but we
had to be one step ahead of them,
he said.
Coach Naituku said they have
achieved the expectations of
the supporters and whole of the
western division are behind the
Natabua success.
He praised the performance of
the athletes and thanked the support of the family and friends of the
school.
On the other hand, reigning girls
champion Jasper had a confident
start and was in full force till the
end of the two-day meet.
Jasper Williams coach Antonio
Raboiliku said they came this year
with an objective of where they left
off last year.
We knew that we had to
step up not only as the defending
champion but in everything that
we do in regards to the 2015 cokes

preparations, he said.
Raboiliku said this year their
preparations were far much better
as their athletes are getting more
confident and the training program
that they use is more scientific
based.
I think the western schools
now realize that they do not need
to use facilities like the ones in the
coke to achieve goals in big games
like the Coca-Cola Games, Raboiliku added.

Jasper walked away with a total of 21 gold, 9 silver and 6 bronze
while Natabua scooped 17 gold, 11
silver and 5 bronze medals.
Meanwhile,
Gospel
High
Schools sprinter and best female
athlete, Younis Bese has broken
Makelesi Bulikiobos 18-year-old
record in the 200 metres Senior
Girls event.
Bese ran in a time of 24.98 seconds in the 200 metres heats while
Bulikiobos record stood at 25.14
seconds.
Best male athlete, Mustafa Falls
of Marist Brothers High School,
also set two new records in the senior boys shot put and discus.
The Coca-Cola Games 2015 had
an exciting finish as both the boys
and girls title went to the two Lautoka schools.
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Fiji - the way the world should be

FROM THE DESK
Cherish Your
Mums
As Mothers Day draw
closer, we tend to come
across different sort of
ideas on the gifts to give
our mums.
These gifts are to let
her know how much
you love and appreciate
her.
Its also the time of
the year when mothers, grandmothers and
wives will be showered
with gifts, from their
loved ones to express
their love and gratitude.
Some people call,
send a card, or have
flowers or a gift delivered to their mum.
It is a day of celebration for families with

their mother, and a time
to reflect on the importance of mothers in their
lives.
Mothers Day in Fiji is
always celebrated and
observed on Second
Sunday of May each
year.
IVA DANFORD - NAISARA
THE JET is Fijis first community newspaper published bi-monthly

by YOURSPACE LIMITED from Nadi - the tourism capital of Fiji.
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EDITOR
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Being the hub of the Pacific, Fiji has everything that a spectacular tropical paradise has to offer from private island resort accommodations, top class restaurants to white sandy beaches, inbound
tours, jet boat rides, hot air balloon rides, mountain trekking, inland tours, eco tourism, sky diving,
helicopter rides, cruise trips, scuba diving, massage and beauty parlours, vibrant night life and a
lot more than any other destination in the world offers
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
Bonus Payments for

Landowners
By IVA DANFORDNAISARA
Cheques with a total of $1 million dollars

were handed out by
Fiji Pine Limited Group
as part of the Lease Security Bonus Payment
(LSBP) to landowners
on Thursday, April 16.
Officiating the event,
chief guest Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said it is by far
the biggest of the three
LSBP payments that
have been made since
February last year.
The two previous
payments combined
amounted
to
just
$780,000 dollars, and it
is wonderful to see this
third payout reach the

million dollar mark,
said Mr Bainimarama.
He said the cheques
also followed previous
payments for stumpage and levies that
amounted to $2.85m
last year.
For the 2014 financial year, the Group
recorded an unprecedented consolidated
operating profit of
$21.27 million dollars
and just four years before, in 2010, the Group
had consolidated losses of around $5 million
dollars.
Bainimarama said
this is a truly remarkable turnaround of $26
million dollars in the
Groups performance
and a genuine cause

for the industry, indeed
the whole nation, to
celebrate.
Fiji Pine Group executive chairman Faiz
Khan said it was the
largest of a total of
three lease security
bonus payments introduced in 2013, with
the payments dependent on the size of the
leased land.
The six forest-based
companies in Lololo,
Nadi, Nabou, Ra, Bua
and Macuata also received six new Toyota
Hilux vehicles worth
$400,000.
The Fiji Pine Limited
Group has announced
a record profit of close
to $21.3 million for its
financial year 2014.
FNPF to Assist Employers with Contribution

Schedule Forms
By ANUSHIL KUMAR
The Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) is urging

Employers to contact the
Fund should the need for
assistance arise with completing the newly formatted
Contribution Schedule (CS)
forms.
FNPF Chief Executive, Mr
Aisake Taito said the Fund
will assist employers who

are not familiar with these
CS forms.
He said the employers
must seek assistance to ensure accuracy in completing
the forms and avoid hefty
penalties which will be enforced by FNPF soon.
Its important that these
Employers voluntary come
forward for assistance, Taito said.
We have an obligation to
ensure that they know how
to fill these forms to avoid

hefty penalties which FNPF
will soon enforce on late
submissions of these forms
along with the contributions
as specified under the FNPF
legislation.
He said employers have a
duty to ensure that the data/
records provided in the CS
forms are accurate as it is a
condition that must be met
before the contributions are
posted to member accounts.
Some common inaccura-
THE JET - FIJIS FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
cies that employers continue to make when submitting

the CS forms are submission
of incorrect TIN numbers,
employees details carrying
incorrect FNPF Numbers,
incorrect salary information
and employers paying incorrect FNPF contributions.
Mr Taito said inaccuracy
of information submitted to
the Fund has resulted in delays when it comes to directing members contribution.
It has also led to increase
in employees contributions
being directed to the Funds
suspense account.
Mr Taito urged members
to continuously check their
FNPF accounts to ensure
that their contribution have
been directed into their
FNPF account.
Members need to also
take the initiative to verify
and update their personal
details and not wait to verify
their details when they apply
for assistance.
Members can verify and

update their personal details at any FNPF office near
them.
We need to all work together in ensuring that data
submitted to the Fund are
accurate as this would further safeguard our members interest and would
also ensures that members
are able to receive timely
services when accessing
their funds.
LOCAL NEWS
New Flag to Strengthen Fijian Identity

Fiji should establish a

genuine Fijian identity with a
new national symbol which
is a new flag to replace the
one with colonial symbols.
These were the words of
the Honorable Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama at
the Ratu Navula Cadet pass-
ing-out on April 22.

According to Mr Bainimarama, the new flag is intended to hoist on Fiji Day,
October 10.
Never forget that only by
working together as one nation - each of us playing our
part - can we achieve greatness.
We can achieve our vision of a better and fairer
nation for us all, no matter
whom we are or where we
Logo Designer
Passes Away
By ANUSHIL KUMAR &
IVA DANFORD-NAISARA
The locally-renowned Fijian Masi artist and designer
of Fiji Airways logo, Makereta Matemosi passed away at
her home in Lami on Monday, April 27.
Makereta created a new
identity which demonstrated that there was more to
Fiji than stunning islands,
by focusing on the warmth
of its people, its rich culture,
and the unique experiences
it offered.
Fiji Airways board director Stefan Pichler was sad-
dened to learn the death of

Makereta.
He said Makereta will be
deeply missed by the Fiji Airways family and the country
as a whole.
The Fiji Airways Group
is deeply saddened by news
of the passing of Makereta
Matemosi, the person who
was commissioned to design our masi logo.
Her collaboration with
us has led to much acclaim
and appreciation of our new
logo. Our thoughts are with
Makeretas family at this
time.
come from, Mr Bainimarama said.

He urged the general
public to contribute their
ideas to this noble endeavor
to strengthen our identity
and generate even more national pride.
Mr Bainimarama added
that this would be a historic
occasion for Fiji as a whole.
The national competition
to design the new flag entry
closed on May 1.
In his speech at the Magodro District School Cadet

pass-out parade on May 1,
Mr Bainimarama said they
have received more than
500 individual entries in the
national flag competition.
Im happy to report that
we have had a wonderful
response from ordinary Fijians to our call for a new flag
that all of you will stand before and salute for the rest of
your lives, he said.
He added they have

come from all walks of life,
from young people to the
very old.
Im told there are some
very imaginative entries and
it may well be that the final
design reflects the work of a
few people rather than just
one or two. But I can assure you as Prime Minister
that we will come up with a
design we can all be proud
of, no matter who we are or
where we come from.

He thanked the Fijian
people for embracing the
noble initiative so eagerly
and have shown their desire
to embrace a new flag that
we can all be proud of as Fijians and speaks to all today,
not our colonial past.
PM Impressed with
Cadet-Passing Out
The Ratu Navula College
Cadet Pass-out was a wonderful scene as dozens of
young Fijians lined up looking disciplined and splendid.
This was according to the
chief guest Honorable Prime
Minister, Voreqe Bainima-
rama at this years Cadet

pass-out held at the school
ground on Wednesday, April
22.
The manner in which
you have just paraded before me does great credit to
yourselves, to the Ratu Navula College and to our beloved nation, he said.
I am inspired when I
attend events like this be-
cause I know that the future

of our beloved Fiji will be in
good hands when my own
generation passes into history and our young people
assume responsibility for
our nations destiny.
Mr Bainimarama urged
the cadets that whatever
they choose to do, the lessons of discipline, patriotism, duty, integrity and hon-
or that they have learned

as cadets should stay with
them all their lives.
It a great day for Ratu
Navula College as it has
served the people of Nadi
for 41 years.
Mr Bainimarama said the
cadets turnout, drill and
bearing are the highest standards that they should be
proud of.
The locally-renowned Fijian Masi artist and designer of Fiji

Airways logo, Makereta Matemosi. Photo: SUPPLIED.
Double Celebration
for Magodro
District School
Magodro District School

of Ba had an historic occasion as they held their annual Passing out Parade and
the official opening of a new
School Library on May 1st.
Chief Guest of the day
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama commended on
the turnout saying that the
students look absolutely
magnificent standing so tall
and proud.
As primary students,
you really are showing
many high school students
how these parades should
be done. So congratulations on your marching and
drill, which is a great credit
to you, your parents, your

school, your community and
our nation.
He said these parades
teach you discipline and the
qualities of bearing attention
to details that will help you
immensely when you grow
older.
We want you to live
disciplined lives, be loyal to
your leaders and become
better citizens of our beloved nation. Because one
day, you too will assume
leadership positions in various walks of life and this is
helping to set you off on the
right path, he added.
Mr Bainimarama said he
was also delighted to officially open the schools new
Library, which is a wonderful addition to the school
and urged them to make
use of it.
Ratu Navula cadets led by the school head boy Apimeleki Kolinisau. Photo: iVA DANFORD - NAISARA.
You boys and girls have

been given the best opportunity any Fijian has ever
had to get an education and
eventually get well-paid, interesting jobs.
He said they have given
free schooling and relieved
the fee burden on parents
that kept so many of them
from being able to go to or
completing school themselves.
You are never too young
to learn the discipline and
teamwork that comes from
the training you are reeiving
I say it all over the country and Ill say it again in Magodro: it is a wonderful time
to be a Fijian as we have a
healthy economy growing at
around four per cent a year.
Mr Bainimarama said this
is giving them the means to
deliver a whole lot of things
like free eduction, better
roads, better health facilities
and all those other improve- The Hon.Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama at the opening of the new library of the
ments that are moving Fiji Magodro District School. Photo: SUPPLIED.
forward.
LOCAL NEWS
Coca-Cola Games In Pictures
LOCAL NEWS
Graduating Class of Success
Forty-eight
students
graduated from the Australia-Pacific
Technical
College (APTC) on Friday,
April 17, at the Vale Ni Soqo
Conference Room in Novotel, Nadi.
They graduated with improved level of productivity in the workplace with
qualifications in Health
and Community Services,
Education, Business and
Management, Hospitality
and Tourism.
Chief guest and Minister of Employment, Productivity and Industrial
Relations Honorable Jioji
Konrote said the graduates should be relieved but
more importantly proud of
what they have achieved
through their hard work.
There is no substitute
for hard work as the key to
success in life. Well done
and you can return to the
real world of a very competitive job market out
there with a satisfying feel-
Hon. Jioji Konrote with the graduates after receiving their awards. Photo IVA DANFORD
ing of being rejuvenated,

Hon. Konrote said.
He urged the graduating class of now having a
sense of renewed accom-
plishment with their new

qualifications that will improve their work positions.
Hon. Konrote also acknowledged the contribu-
tion of the Australian Government and the tutors

and staff of APTC.
APTC is a development
initiative funded by the
Union Urged to Step-up

The Honorable Minster

for Education, Heritage and
Arts Dr. Mahendra Reddy
believes there was a need
to major mindset change of
Unions in this country.
The change in mindset
requires collective sharing
of the output that the employer is after, he said.
Speaking at the Fijian
Teachers Association Conference, he said unions
should identify poor performers and provide counselling and caution letters to
those who are not at par to
what is expected of them.
Dr Reddy also urged the
employees in the public
sector to change their mind-
Minister for Education Dr Mahendra Reddy. Photo: SUPPLIED.

sets and adopt this call for
collective responsibility as it
is in the private sector.
If we fail to deliver on
to the output, the employer
will fail and thus the employee should also share the loss
in output.
He also urged the unions

submit to him a list of names
from their members who
are not performing and
should be demoted or disciplined for shortchanging
the employer, the students
and bringing disrepute to the
Turtle Talks, which is the

first of its kind and is devoted to driving conversation to
accelerate positive change,
was officially launched on
Earth Day, April 22, by creator Monica Laurence.
The purpose of this tur-
tle talk is to share the feeling of energy and spirit with

the world to inspire others
about clean energy, Laurence said.
She said the only way to
achieve this is by believing
that everything is beautiful.
Fiji is the best place to
do it because Fijians are
the happiest people in the
planet.
Laurence also launched
38 videos filmed from the
first Talks which were held

from 2013 in Turtle Island.
The inaugural talks included five experts in clean
energy which lead the conversation in imaging a future
in which we live with 100%
clean and renewable energy.
She said anything that
does not pollute is clean energy.
I believe that there is a
purpose and there is also a
has campuses in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New

Guinea and Solomon Islands.
Teachers
Reminded of
their Value
He said the theme of

Appreciating Teachers
Contribution in the Society was appropriate for
discussion in todays education system because
the teaching profession
is an asset in improving
education delivery.
He added teachers
ought to be given the respect and appreciation
they deserve for moulding generations and generations of greatness.
Teaching is not easy.
Unlike popular self-belief, not everyone can be
a teacher.
Dr Reddy concluded
by saying that great
teachers teach the students to believe that
nothing is impossible.
Teachers are at the

heart of every education system. Study after
profession.
Dr Reddy also wished to study shows that the
express his heartfelt appre- single most important
ciation to all the contribu- factor that determines
tions done to the education the quality of educasystem to date.
tion a child receives is
the quality of his or her
teacher.
These
were
the
words of the Honorable
Minster for Education,
Heritage and Arts Dr.
Mahendra Reddy at the
Fijian Teachers Association 2015 Conference
which was held at the
Suva Civic Auditorium
on Tuesday, April 28.
In his keynote adneed to include experts in dress, Dr. Reddy said
Fiji in tackling this major is- teachers play a key role
sue, she said.
in our life and have a
Laurence also described major share in shaping
these Talks as a boost in Fi- it.
jis tourism industry.
They tell us what
Filmed on the Island,
achievement
means
Turtle Talks invites leading
thinkers and doers to one and teach us what it
island to discuss solutions takes to accomplish
to the biggest issues facing something in life and to
dream big and to never
people and planet.
fear failures, Dr Reddy
emphasized.
Turtle Talk Launched

on Earth Day
Australian Government to
deliver training and to increase the supply of skilled
workers in targeted sectors
in the Pacific region. APTC
LOCAL NEWS
Punjas Signed-Up
with Digicel
The Punjas Group has

switched their entire mobile
telecommunication services
to Digicel Fiji.
This was announced by
Digicel Fiji on Friday, Apri 17,
at the Punjas Head Office in
Lautoka.
Digicel Fijis Chief Executive Officer Darren McLean
said they were delighted to
have such a well-respected
corporate like Punjas joining
the list of customers that are
not only leveraging Fijis best
data network but are taking
advantage of significant cost
saving on their mobile bills.
He said it is when they
work with partners like this
that demand cutting edge
services where they can really see the benefit of Digicels $70million network upgrade investment that was
completed last year.
This is a fantastic win for

Digicel Fiji and it also highlights the growing strategic
alliance between the two
companies that have a significant footprint both in Fiji
and throughout the Pacific,
said Mr McLean.
In welcoming the Punjas
Group, Mr McLean said one
result that will be felt immediately by Punjas is the
effect of this deal to the bottom line and Punjas monthly
mobile telecom bill will be
significantly reduced.
Punjas senior managing director Nitin Punja said
they went through an extensive bid process ensuring
they got the best deal in the
market.
Communication is the
lifeblood of our business
and hence there was a need
to ensure we got a quality
service at the best rates,
said Mr Punja.
He said Digicel Fiji made
the process easy and they
look forward to a long partnership.
Punjas senior manager director Mr Nitin Punja and Digicel CE0 Darren McLean. Photo: SUPPLIED.
EDUCATION
Information Sharing Vital for

Development
By ANUSHIL KUMAR
The usage of information combined with modern
technology is critical to enhancing the consumption
of land and resources for
progress, says the Ministry
of Sugar Industry.
Industrys acting permanent secretary Parmesh
Chand made these comments during the forum on
Geographical Information
System and Remote Sensing (GIS/RS) User Interface
Forum at the First Landing
resort in Vuda, Lautoka on
Tuesday, May 5.
He said the promotion
opportunity for investment
and economic development is highly dependent on
modern technology.
Due to the vast improvement in technology and
recognition of the importance of encompassing sea,
air and land information,
Government revived and
strengthened the Fiji GeoSpatial Information Man-
agement Council formerly

known as the Fiji Land Information Council, Mr Chand
said.
This is intended to promote the development and
management of Geo-Spatial
information in Fiji on a more
integrated and comprehensive basis.
Recognising the importance of Geo-Spatial Information, Fiji pushed for adoption of a special resolution
on this subject at the United
Nations General Assembly.
It was for the first time
recognized and accepted by
the General Assembly.
The sugar industry GIS
portal was launched in Fiji in
November last year.
It boosted the Ministry of
Sugars authentication for its
2015 budgetary submission
resulting in a budget provision for Sugar Cane Industry
GIS of $938,170.00.
Mr Chand said he shared
this information as it was
part of the objective of the
forum adding that information sharing should be done
amongst the users.
Participants at the 2015 forum on Geographical Information System and Remote

Sensing User Interface Forum. Photo: SUPPLIED.
I am sharing this with

you today (Tuesday, May 2)
because this is part of the
objective of this Forum to
share information, data and
relevant experiences so that
members could learn and
benefit from them.
For what is it is worth,

the sustainability of this GIS/
RS User Forum will require
huge leaps of faith. Users
must come together in faith
to share information. Without this, it may be difficult.
He said sustainability is
about relevance.
It is our plea to you all, as
members of the GIS/RS User
Forum, that you will continue to work together through
a spirit of open dialogue,
willingness to share data
and information, establish-
ing communication links,

both domestic and offshore
and providing access to the
latest software for the benefit of all.
Leadership in Schools Vital to

Educational Development
Leadership in schools
matter and we expect delivery, said the Minister
for Education, Heritage
and Arts Hon. Dr Mahendra Reddy.
The Minister stressed
this point when he delivered his keynote address
at the Future Leaders
Workshop Phase One in
Labasa.
The meeting was an
opportunity for the Minister to reiterate to the
senior education officials
in the North on Governments commitment to
making education easily
accessible.
You must win their
(students)
confidence
and trust, it is your job to
reach out to the teachers and children and you
must know your staff
well, said Minister Reddy.
He said that in order
to compliment education
assistance, leadership in
schools is a vital part of
this process and the Ministry expects a delivery of
the management output
to create a knowledgebased society.
Any leader has to first
understand the whole
business process and
the productive process
of what are the inputs
and all leaders should

not lose sight of the output they have to deliver,
Minister Reddy said.
In education, there
is an outcome that we
target; this government
targets for a knowledgebased society.
This is an outcome
and we are here to deliver onto this outcome but
we must play our part.
You all play a very
important role in delivering the output which
will deliver that outcome,
the outcome is qualified,
educated people, and we
want you to deliver this.
Minister Reddy said
leaders must talk with
confidence, have thorough knowledge in subject matters and be able
to boost the young people and teachers.
q DEPTFO
Minister for Education Dr Mahendra Reddy at the Future Leaders Workshop. Photos: DEPTFO.
Dr Mahendra Reddy at the Future Leaders Workshop in Labasa.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ginger a
Lucrative
Commodity
for Export
Government has identified ginger as one of the

priority commodities due
to its potential for food and
income security and providing employment to the local
farmers.
As such the Agriculture
Ministry is making concerted efforts in revitalising the
ginger industry in a bid to
increase production and its
contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The industry which includes both the immature
and mature ginger is currently worth $12 million but
it is likely to increase in future.
Speaking in Parliament
recently, the Agriculture
Minister Inia Seruiratu said
Government was making all
efforts to make ginger as a
major export commodity.
Mr Seruiratu told the
members of Parliament
that following the access
to export to the Australian
markets, Government saw
ginger as one of the priority
crops which had a potential
for income and food security
and employment for many
Fijian farmers.
He said in a bid to increase production, Government had increased its budget to $500,000 this year from
$300,000 provided in 2014.
From 2006 2011 there
was no budget for ginger but
I salute the private sectors
especially our farmers for
not abandoning this crop,
said Mr Seruiratu.
Referring to the production figures in 2013, Fiji produced 10,529 metric tonnes
of both immature and mature ginger which was an increase of 3477 tonnes compared to 7052 metric tonnes
produced in 2012.
Ginger from Fiji is exported to Australia, New Zealand, European Union, USA
and Canada.
He added that from
2009 to 2011 export earnings of the immature ginger
was around $6million but
it increased significantly to
$12million in 2012 and 2013.
The increase in exports
was due to government investment in the industry, a
favourable and stable market price for ginger and Fijis
accomplishment to gain access into the Australian fresh
ginger market, said Mr Seruiratu.
He said securing the Australian market provided Fiji a
great opportunity to further
broaden its economic base
apart from providing more
employment opportunities
for our farmers.
Mr Seruiratu acknowledged the work done by
the Pacific Horticultural and
Agricultural Market Access
Program (PHAMA) of the
Secretariat of the Pacific
Community (SPC) and Biosecurity Authority of Fiji
(BAF) in securing the Australian market.
The Ministry of Agriculture will focus on the quality
by adhering to the protocols
and pathways already established between Fiji and its
trading partners.
It will focus on improving
farm management as it is
critical and goes with quality.
There are currently a total of 717 registered ginger
farmers in Fiji, 611 of whom
are in the Central Division
including areas of Navua,
Namosi, Naitasiri, Rewa and
Tailevu, 106 farmers are in
the Western Division and
Ovalau. There are also a
few farmers in Ra, Kadavu,
Lomaiviti and Vanua Levu.
These farmers produce ginger for the local and exports
markets.
Frespac Ltd and Kaiming
Agro Processors Ltd are the
two major companies buying the locally grown ginger
for export but other few exporters like Sai Foods Ltd are
some of the latest companies who are investing into
this lucrative industry.
The Managing Director
of Kaiming Agro Processing
Ltd (KAPL) Calvin Qiu says
that there was a short supply
of ginger and is urging more
farmers to plant ginger for
export.
KAPL that produces and
exports processed immature ginger has about 300
farmers that supply about
1000 tonnes of ginger every
year.
Majority of these farmers are from Naitasiri while
LOCAL NEWS
others are from Serua and

Namosi.
Mr Qiu wants more farmers from Serua and Namosi
to plant ginger because they
are close to the factory and
have easy market access.
We will need 1200
tonnes of immature ginger
and 400 tonnes of mature
ginger this year, said Mr
Qiu.
KAPL exports crystallized
and glazed ginger to USA,
Australia, New Zealand, UK
and Germany.
There is good demand
for processed Fiji ginger in
North America and the European Union as our ginger is
of a very high quality, said
Mr Qiu.
Fiji ginger had very low
heavy metal content and
no trace of chemical due
to our pristine environment
and the traditional farming
practices used by the local
farmers.
Agriculture Officer Serua/
Namosi Virend Chand said
that in 2013 about six acres
of ginger was planted on the
flatlands under the Ginger
Development Program by
six farmers.
However, due to heavy
rain in December 2013 and
January 2014 there was high
risk of Fusarium oxysporium a fungal disease, so the
farmers had to harvest immature ginger and could not
save any for planting material, he added.
This year the farmers are
keeping the ginger to mature and will use as planting
material for the next ginger
planting season, said Mr
Chand.
Ginger planting is targeted on the upper Serua and
Namosi to avoid flooding.
He said that farmers
should treat seeds with hot
water soon after harvesting
for the control of nematodes
and Pythium rots in order to
attain pest-free planting materials.
AGE, LOCATION OR
QUALIFICATION
IS NO BARRIER
TO LEARNING AT
THE UNIVERSITY
OF THE SOUTH
PACIFIC LAUTOKA
CAMPUS
Do you want to study while
working and living with your
family?
Learn in a relaxed & flexible
environment
Do you have experience
but wish to upgrade your
qualification?
Do you wish to study through
USP Lautoka Campus
APPLICATION FOR
ADMISSION TO SEMESTER II,
2015 IS NOW OPENED.

Application form is available at the USP Lautoka

Campus Front Office Counter and accessible
online via: www.usp.ac.fj/student
USP Lautoka Campus offers Certificate, Diploma,

Degree, postgraduate programmes and courses
from the three faculties Faculties of Arts, Law &
Education, Faculty of Business & Economics and
Faculty of Science, Technology & Environment and
Pacific TAFE.
For more information contact via email:
usplautoka@usp.ac.fj or telephone: 6666800.
Farmers with harvested ginger plants. Photo: SUPPLIED
TOWARDS EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE CREATION
LOCAL NEWS
Fiji Regarded as the Best

Shark Diving Destination
Sweet Tweets
What do you think of Primary School students having

access to mobile phones in
school?
By ANUSHIL KUMAR
The Shark Dive of Fiji

has recorded a milestone
achievement in the Chinese dive industry.
This was after they
rightfully received the
Best Shark Diving Destination Award at the Dive
Resort Travel (DRT) Expo
in Shanghai, China.
Tourism Fijis Marketing Manager for the Asia
Market, Ms. Kathy Koyamaibole who was present at the Expo, received
the award on Fijis behalf.
She said Fiji attracted
most of the participating
countries at the Expo.
Fijis shark dive was
definitely top of mind
for most of the dive clubs
and visitors to the expo.
Fiji was voted as the
Best Shark Diving Destination after impressing
the EZDIVE Magazine
who carried out an analysis of its members (the
Chinese divers).
The three-day event
Tomasi Raiula
Maui Bay, Sigatoka
Its not good because they
wont concentrate well in
school
provided the exhibitors a

chance to actively participate and exchange information pertaining specifically to the dive industry
ranging from destinations

to best diving techniques
and equipment.
The DRT Expo which is
the only professional div-
ing exhibition in China is

developed for the diving
industry of Shanghai.
It attracts exhibitors
enthusiastic diving re-
sorts and live-aboard operators from all over the

Asia-Pacific region.
Fiji Airways and Air Vanuatu Sign

Codeshare Agreement
A new codeshare agreement between the national
carriers of Fiji and Vanuatu,
Fiji Airways and Air Vanuatu
willsee seven flights a week
between the two island nations.
Fiji Airways and Air Vanuatu will now offer their customers code-shareaccess
on flights to and from Port
Vila as well as interliningcapability from each airlines
gateway points, further extending their respective networks.
Fiji Airways will place its
FJ code on Air Vanuatu
services from Port Vila to
Suva and Nadi. Air Vanuatu
will place its NF code on
Fiji Airways services from
Nadi and Suva to Port Vila.
The agreement will allow customers to purchase
flights through all thedistribution channels on both airlines, providing a seamless
travelexperience within the
South Pacific and connectivity to other populardestinations including Los Angeles
and Hong Kong.
Stefan Pichler, Fiji Airways Board Director commented: This newcodeshare agreement between
the two airlines will ensure
greatercooperation, coordination, and ultimately better
opportunities fortravel be-
Emosi Lasaqa
Narewa, Nadi
Not good, should be banned
from school
Desmond Artack
Suva
I think its a bad idea
Fiji Airways General Manager Revenue Management Shalend Nair, and Fiji Airways Regional General Manager Fiji and the Pacific
Islands Robert Rounds, shake on the new deal with Air Vanuatu CEO Joseph Laloyer, with Floyd Smith, Air Vanuatu GM Sales and
Marketing. Photos: SUPPLIED.
tween Fiji and Vanuatu.
Fiji Airways, as one of
the regions leading airlines,
is always on thelookout
for partnerships like these
which provide benefits to
all parties commercially.
Further than that, it further
strengthens the ties between
the Melanesian neighbours.
Our customers can now
enjoy better access to pop-
ular Vanuatu destinations

like Port Vila and Santo with
the convenience of a single
booking.
Air Vanuatus chief executive officer Joseph Laloyer
said the two airlines had a
long history of delivering
exceptional service throughout the Pacific.
We share common
goals to be leaders in ser-
10 THE JET - FIJIS FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
vice delivery and topromote

our national interests. For
Air Vanuatu, this codeshare
agreement means more opportunity for overseas holidaymakers to visit
Vanuatu, with smooth
connections from Asia and
North America. Codeshare
passengers can travel to
destinations serviced byHi
the two airlines on a single
ticket, with onward boarding passes and

checked-through
baggage to their final destinations (if allowed by
respective airports).
q PRESS RELEASE
Sue Nasilasila
Nasoso, Nadi
I dont think its the best idea.
Everybody knows that cell
phones are a major distraction
to todays society, ESPECIALLY the younger generation and
you cannot control that because
society changes with time and
technology
Timely Visit
The University of the
South Pacific Lautoka Campus had a timely visit from
the Director of the Pacific
Technical and Further Education (Pacific TAFE) Hasmukh Lal who conducted
an open forum for his Lautoka-based students on May
1st.
More than fifty students
took advantage of the opportunity to meet the Director and discuss issues about
their courses.
According to Mr. Lal, the
main purpose of organizing this forum was to interact with students and allow
them to share their learning
experiences and discuss the
challenges they faced.
He said there was a similar forum held for Laucala
Campus students earlier
this year which proved to be
quite successful.
The students freely
raised their issues and
concerns and shared their
success stories and this is
exactly what we hope to encourage in this forum. Your
feedback is important to us;
it will help us to improve in
terms of course delivery, our

services, facilities and other
areas, said Mr Lal.
He added, one of the strategic objectives of USP was
to establish the Pacific TAFE
so that learning opportunities could be extended to
students who do not qualify
for/not interested in pursuing year 13 or foundation
studies but were keen on
acquiring other skill based
qualification.
Mr. Lal said Pacific TAFE
also provided a wide array
of short courses and training opportunities aimed at
raising the professional standards/performance of working students.
Our classes are structured to cater for working
people, he said. We are
very flexible in terms of
meeting the needs of the
labour market, therefore
we even offer winter and
summer flexi courses on demand.
Mr. Lal said Pacific TAFE
also focused on addressing
the issue of the increasing
youth bulge in the South Pacific by increasing the employability of youth by providing skill-based trainings.
Fiji National Sailing

Speed Record
Attempt 2015
Andrew Redfern, who
is Fijis first participant in
the international speed
sailing competition, aims
to increase his Fiji National Sailing Speed record of
40.87 knots (76 km/hr)
which he set in Luderitz,
Namibia last year.
He has registered for
the 2015 Luderitz Speed
Challenge which is going
to be held later this year
and his goal is to attain 45
knots (83 km/hr.)
My participation last
year created a great deal
of interest from the international press and
amongst the Pro sailors
who all expressed a desire to visit and sail in
Fiji, he added.
Redfern said in his
experience at the speed
sailing he received so
much help and advice
from the pros that it really helped him raise his

level of sailing.
Armed with this new
found knowledge and experience, I am confident I
can raise the level of the
record even further.
He said two of the
worlds top windsurfing
stars are intending to visit
Fiji to shoot a video about
sailing as part of a series
on sailing spots around
the world.
With a worldwide
audience in tens of millions, this would create
wonderful publicity for
Fiji and promote us as the
sailing and water sports
paradise that we truly
are, Redfern said.
Redfern is currently
looking for sponsors to
support the record attempt and urge anyone
with an interest in sailing
or has a desire to promote Fiji or their businesses overseas to come
forward.
LOCAL NEWS
USP lautoka-Campus students during the visit of the Director for Pacific TAFE. Photo: SUPPLIED.
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11
LOCAL NEWS
FWCC welcomes PMs Speech

on Family Violence
The Fiji Womens Crisis

Centre (FWCC) welcomed
the remarks by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama
on the problem of intimate
partner violence in Fiji and
across the Pacific.
Bainimarama acknowledged the appalling incidence of family violence
needed to be addressed
as a matter of urgency
and that despite the governments best efforts, a lot of
work were still required to
address it.
FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali said the Prime Ministers remarks highlighted
the issue of family violence
at a high political level and
forced officials to take seriously the zero-tolerance
policy towards domestic
violence.
The Prime Ministers
comments about the crisis
of family violence in Fiji and
the Pacific is an important
political step in giving new
impetus to the laws that
are already in place and
that should be protecting
women and children, said
Ms Ali.
Ms Ali continued: The
simple message that violence is not acceptable in
any form is a milestone
event for the struggle to
eliminate violence against
FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali. Photo: SUPPLIED.

women and children in Fiji.
However, she said it was
now up to the relevant officials, especially the police
force and social services, to
enforce the laws relating to
domestic violence.
We need police officers
who know the laws relating
to family violence and who
will not be influenced to ig-
nore them or who would advise women against seeking

redress through the judicial
system.
She said laws governing
domestic violence were in
place but that police needed
to do more to put them into
action and to refrain from
passing judgement on those
who report cases or from
bringing cultural considerations into play.

The Police Commissioner and all officers under him
need to know thoroughly
the legal provisions in place
and that are also something
Bainimarama has acknowledged.
The zero-tolerance policy
on domestic violence has, in
theory, been in place since

the late 1990s, but has only
been sporadically implemented.
Ms Ali said with Bainimaramas unequivocal calling
out of the government services that should be implementing this policy, it is now
up to the relevant officials to
begin to put it into practise.
We look forward to
working in greater collaboration with the government
and its agencies to better
address the issue of family
violence at all levels.
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13
TOURISM
New $70m Hotel to Boost

Tourism Industry
By ANUSHIL KUMAR
A new $70 million fivestar hotel to be built on Denarau Island is expected to

enhance Fijis position as a
premier holiday destination.
The hotel is part of a conglomerate between InterContinental Hotels Group
and Avoser Limited.
Minister for Industry,
Trade and Tourism Hon. Faiyaz Koya whole-heartedly
welcomed the investment
into the tourism sector.
He said the new venture
would provide great hospitality to the tourists visiting
Fiji.
We want our visitors to
come to Fiji and enjoy our
hospitality and not just stay
in the hotels but go out and
spend in our stores, Minis-
ter Koya said.

Therefore, such highend retail and commercial
developments are crucial
for the growth.
Minister Koya said one of
their main motives would be
to feature the Fijian crafted
items in the retail outlets.
Apart from providing the
finest services, he said the
sector will also ensure that
local market needs are also
being satisfied.
One day we want these
high-end retail outlets to
feature exclusive, authentic
Fijian crafted items, as our
domestic duty free outlets
are currently retailing.
It will be the perfect
partnership of international
brands working with domestic brands.
Whilst we provide the
best and friendliest services,
we need to ensure that we
are able to cater to our mar-
The Minister for Tourism at the consortium signing agreement between InterContinental
Hotels Group and Avoser Limited. Photo: SUPPLIED
kets needs in terms of extra
activities, especially highend shopping.
It is very encouraging to
see Fijian entrepreneurs en-
Fiji Airways Group Maintains

On-Time Performances for
March 2015
Fiji Airways, Fijis National
Airline, and Fiji Link, its regional and domestic subsidiary, reported their March
2015 on-time performance
(OTP).
Fiji Airways reported an
OTP of 84.90% in March,
compared to 88.61% in February, and 75.92% in January.
Fiji Link recorded an OTP of
94.0% in March, compared
to 91.90% in February and
86.90% in January.
Fiji Airways Board Director Stefan Pichler stated: Its

good to produce a consistent result, and ensure that
were meeting our monthly
objective of an above 80%
OTP.
The results for Fiji Airways in March were impacted by issues related to
minor mechanical issues,
slow boarding and loading
of cargo.
We obviously want to
keep this consistency for

April and the months to
come.
OTP is a global airline
industry benchmark which
measures aircraft flight departures as being on time
if they depart from the gate
within 15 minutes of the airlines scheduled departure
time.
FIJI AIRWAYS
tering the tourism and hospitality sector, Hon. Koya

said.
The project, which is
expected to complete con-
struction after two years beginning from this year, will

create 250 new jobs during
the construction phase and
180 Fijians will be employed
by InterContinental Hotels
Group when the Resort
opens for business.
Monetary Policy Stance

Remains Unchanged
The Reserve Bank of Fiji
Board at its monthly meeting
on 30 April agreed to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate
at 0.5 percent.
In announcing the decision, the Governor and Chairman of the Board, Mr Barry
Whiteside stated that the
Fijian economy is expected
to perform better-than-anticipated in 2015 with growth
projections revised upward
to 4.3 percent from 4.0 percent.
Governor Whiteside highlighted that the pressure on
foreign reserves remains

given Fijis growing import
demand for consumption
and investment related
goods.
The Governor stated that
in its current assessment,
both objectives of monetary
policy are considered to remain comfortable over the
near term. Inflation rose to
2.4 percent in March, from
2.1 percent in February,
mostly due to higher food,
alcoholic beverages and tobacco prices. However, the
recent announcement on
the reduction in domestic

fuel prices by the Fiji Commerce Commission is expected to ease inflationary
pressures in the months
ahead. Foreign reserves are
currently (30 April) around
$1,857.0 million, sufficient to
cover 4.6 months of retained
imports.
The Governor emphasised that any change to
monetary policy will be
guided in particular by the
developments on the outlook for foreign reserves
q
RBF
TOURISM
Sofitel Fiji Resort Makes Initiative

to Mark World Earth Day
By IVA DANFORD NAISARA

Forty five staffs of the
Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa
came out yesterday trying to do something for
the environment to mark
World Earth Day which
is celebrated today(April
22).
The program is part
of its Planet 21 initiative
that deals with the objectives in the hotel industry
which includes responsible eating, reducing water and energy consumption and prevention of
illnesses.
Sofitel Fiji General
Manager Alan Burrows
says Sofitels parent company, ACCOR tries to do
something for the environment and the planet
21 program initiatives
every year and this year
they have come out to
Nadi District School to
run a competition to try
and make the student
more aware of recycling.
We brought them
some bins so that they

can do some recycling in
the classroom, said Mr
Burrows.
He said the actual program has been running
for over 10 years as the
company initiative and
Planet 21 is the 21 initiative that the hotel has to
follow regarding recycling and reusing.
We have various programmes in the hotel to
make sure that we are
not throwing anything out
that can be used some
other way, says Mr Burrows.
Nadi District School
Principal Meli Cabebula
said he was glad and
proud that of the initiative
Sofitel and with the 647
students in the school
they will now know how
to manage rubbish.
Since our school has
entered the Nadi Town
Council clean school
competition earlier this
year, the planet 21 program is a great boost for the
school, said Cabebula.
q SOFITEL FIJI
Sofitel Staff educating the students of Nadi District on how to maintain the 3Rs.
Photo. IVA DANFORD.
Sriman Jagdishbhai
Trivedi to visit Fiji
the 16th, 23th, and 24th of

May in Shri Vishnu Mandir, Lautoka.
According to the IndiThe well known narra- an Cultural Society (NZ)
tor of Shastras from India, Incorporated,
Trivedis
Sriman Jagdishbhai Trive- session of the narration
di will for the first time of shrimad Bhagvat Katha
ever visit Fiji and deliver was a very successful one
Katha in a well organized in Wellington, New Zeaand clear manner and he land on December 30th
will be a key attraction to 2006 and 7 January 2007.
his audience.
All who attended felt
This will be held on the miracle achieved, an
impressive feat especially considering this

was his first Katha in
public. His Knowledge
and expertise in putting
his message across to
his devotees was of the
highest level and needs
more than simple appreciation. All would
agree an amazing and
moving
atmosphere
was created, quoted
the Indian Cultural So-
15
TOURISM
Fiji Airways Announces

Captain Manu Rajappa as
Fiji Links New Chief Pilot
Captain Manu Rajappa

has been appointed the
new Chief Pilot and Manager Flight Operations for Fiji
Link, its domestic subsidiary
by Fiji Airways on May 4th.
Fiji Link General Manager Thomas Robinson said
Captain Rajappa will manage Fiji Links 71 pilots and
ensure the safety of the flight
operations.
This role is obviously
crucial in maintaining all of
our professional standards,
which includes on-going
training, mentorship, operational excellence and reliability of Fiji Link.
Two other management
changes were announced

by Fiji Link as a result of
Captain Rajappas promotion.
Captain Nitesh Prasad replaces Captain Rajappa as
Training Manager and will
act as ATR Fleet Captain
until a permanent appointment is made and First officer NeliVuatalevu has been
appointed Line Operations
Manager.
By placing another
home-grown professional
in the position of Chief Pilot for Fiji Link, were very
clearly signalling our focus
on what Fiji Link offers Fijian aviators a fulfilling pilot
progression pathway within

the Fiji Airways Group. We
aim to increase our complement ratio of locals to expatriate pilots, and the new
pilot management changes
announced today speak
volumes about the skills
and experience Fijian pilots
have.
These were the words of
Stefan Pichler, Fiji Airways
Board Director.
q FIJI AIRWAYS
Digicel to Manage
FTE 2015
Connectivity Needs
International delegates,
media, and Fijian tourism
service providers attending the Fijian Tourism Expo
(FTE) 2015 will have access
to Managed High-Speed
Wi-Fi services so that everyone stays connected to their
business during the threeday event in June.
This is after Digicel Business came on-board as a
major sponsor and confirmed its commitment to Fijis premier tourism industry
event as the preferred technology sponsor in its second
year running.
Digicel will be showcasing its market-leading Busi-
ness Solutions services like

Cloud Storage and Telephony to the hospitality industry,
and at the same time provide overseas guests, media,
and local exhibitors with
complementary access to
Fijis best and fastest internet connectivity.
Tourism Fijis Director of
Events, Ms Sally Cooper says,
There could not have been
a better partner than Digicel
to manage FTEs connectivity needs. They did a great
job last year and we are very
confident that Digicel will
provide the best business
solutions to keep everyone
connected over the course
of the three days expo.

Registrations for FTE 2015
closed last Friday 1 May.
FTE 2015 is scheduled to
take place from 16-18 June
at the Sheraton Convention
Centre on Denarau Island.
For more information and
registration, please visit FTE
2015 website at fijitourismexpo.com.
q PRESS RELEASE
TOURISM
Minister Launches
Tourism Magazine
By ANUSHIL KUMAR
It is now the exciting

times for the tourism industry of Fiji.
The industrys new undertakings including new
advertising platforms are
endlessly being made accessible for Fijis tourism
industry to use as part of its
awareness campaign.
Minister for Industry,
Trade and Tourism Hon. Faiyaz Koya highlighted these
as he launched the Fiji Island
Living magazine in Nadi.
He said it is a great opportunity for Fijis tourism
industry to boost its market.
This is a very wonderful
opportunity to further market Fijis tourism industry
and give readers another
opportunity to know more
about Fiji, he said.
Island Living magazine
is a renowned magazine
and they have done simi-
lar advertisements for our

neighbour countries and we
are grateful that they would
like to further boost the Fijian tourism sector to its
readers on what a wonderful destination Fiji is.
The magazine is designed to give readers an inside view of Fijian living and
hospitality including various
tourism-based destinations.
Fiji Island Living magazine editor Tiffancy Carroll
said the magazine will be
disseminated locally as well
as across the Pacific.
The magazines would
be distributed in Fijian resorts, around the Pacific and
travel agents in Australia,
Editor Carroll said.
The magazines would
also be available in 45 top
hotels in Australia including
lounges in more than 12 international airports.
q TOURISM FIJI
Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Hon. Faiyaz Koya reading the newly launched tourism magazine.
Photo: SUPPLIED.
support@media.com.fj
17
BUSINESS NEWS
Improve The Services

The Consumer Council
of Fiji maintains its earlier
call to Vodafone Fiji to improve its current 3G and
4G Networks. The Council
reiterates that Vodafone
Fiji owes a better service
to all its users and not just
hollow promises such as
ultra fast speeds. We have
information from Vodafone Fiji users where connectivity and advertised
speeds do not match what
they actually experience.
There have been instances where consumers had
chosen to downgrade the
service after Vodafone Fiji
could not deliver 4G speed
as advertised.
The issue is not simply
about speed. Its about
promised speed and actual user experience. Its
about the need for more
accurate information on
service delivery; which is
why the Council is calling
for a Broadband Disclosure Statement.
Any ISP selling products
based on speed should
guarantee speed which
should be clearly disclosed
on advertisements to customers and in customer
service contracts. Consumers signing up to a service
need to give their consent
that they understand these

terms and that there is no
guarantee of 3G, 4G or
whatever speeds are being
advertised by the ISPs. It is
baffling to note that Vodafone continues to advertise
4G and emphasizes speed.
It has been running advertisements with phrases
like Enjoy 3G High Speed
Mobile Broadband with Vodafone. (See: http://www.
vodafone.com.fj/pages.
cfm/personal/specialsoffers/now-with-95-3g-coverge-fiji-wide.html)
One should look at its
FAQs on 4G on its website:
http://www.vodafone.com.
. In number 8 it says
In a word Speed. Voda-
fone 4G provides ultra fast

speeds and this means that
you can do more in less
time
Vodafone says it has
never guaranteed speeds
but always made sure it
advised customers of the
range of speeds on average
they could expect How
does Vodafone communicate this to customers? We
have not normally seen
such a disclaimer in its advertisements.
In regards to illegal
phones and the laws/regulations, Vodafone needs to
specify the particular technical rules and standards
as per Section 55 (3) and
(4) of the Telecommunica-
tions Promulgation 2008.

For the benefit of consumers, it would be really helpful for Vodafone or TAF
to make people aware of
these specific rules and
standards pertaining to
mobile equipment and
devices. Instead of blaming consumers and some
retailers of bringing in such
equipment,
consumers
should be educated on
these requirements. Do
the right thing by making
all necessary disclosures!
Ms. Bindula Prasad
Officer-In-Charge
Consumer Council of Fiji
ADVERTISEMENT
19
BUSINESS NOTICE BOARD
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21
LOCAL SPORTS
Wardens Gold
Nawaka 7s
Wardens Gold was

crowned the champions
of the Fiji Bitter Nawaka
7s as they walked away
with $10,000 prize money after thrashing Army
Green 33-19 in the cup final at Prince Charles Park
last month.
Team coach Maxwell
Hughes said the boys put
things together and as a
team they won the tournament.
This was their best
performance from all the
others that the boys have
had and there are a lot
of things that we need
to brush up on, Hughes
said.
He said during their
preparations for the Coral
Coast 7s, they need to
brush up on a few things.
We
should
have
Wins
scored more tries and got

more points but I guess
thats the way rugby is,
when you lose concentration things go the other
way.
In the womens category, Striders defeated
Nadi Blazers 20-12 while
the Big Bula Lions won
the Oldies title beating
Semisi Naevos Nawaka
Oldies 26-12.
The Nawaka Sevens
had a total sponsorship
of $30, 000 for the tournament.
During the official
launch at Nawaka Village
on April 15, Paradise Beverages Marketing manager Joe Rodan handed the
cheque to the Tui Nawaka Ratu Asaeli Naevo.
The major sponsor of
the Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s,
Paradise Beverages has
promised to continue its
sponsorship in the years
to come.
Wardens Gold players, fans and officials celebrate after winning the Fiji Bitter Nawaka Sevens at Prince Charles Park.
Photo: MARGARET NAQIRI.
FRU AGM Concludes; New Board Also Appointed

The Fiji Rugby Union
(FRU) concluded its Annual
General Meeting (AGM) at
the Novotel in Lami on Saturday, April 25, with the election of a new board of directors.
The meeting was chaired
by the recently appointed
FRU President, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama
with over ninety (90) union
officials in attendance.
The outgoing Chairman
Filimoni Waqabaca in his
report (presented by board
member Dr Esther Williams in his absence) said
that turning the FRU to a
sustainable, financially and
administrative strong union
practicing good governance
principles and processes
and dedicated management team to continuously
improve and develop rugby
in Fiji, was their main objective.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
The immediate actions
for the first two years included a total organisation
restructure, budget deficit
reduction plan, financial
stability plan, improved revenue including sponsorship,
improved financial and IT
system, improved record
system, improved human
resources and governance
and Constitution review, Dr
Williams explained.
In terms of governance,
our target was to put in
place a new organisation
structure, new policies, HR
and Recruitment Manual,
Staff reviews and assessment, Financial Manual and

KPIs and contracts for staff,
she said.
All sponsorship agreements underwent legal vetting and we ensured the
FRU Logo was registered
and copyright finalised.
This was the most critical issue we put right as almost everyone was using
the FRU logo illegally, Dr
Williams added.
She said the introduction
of a new financial and recording system has been a
key achievement.
FRU will now be able
to maintain financial and
all other records to ensure
timely and accurate data
and information that will assist FRU in its operations.
But more importantly,
it will ensure the transfer of
knowledge processes for
new and existing staff members which World Rugby
(WR) highlighted in its review report, Dr Williams
said.
In June 2014, World Rugby, after a series of meetings
and agreements, restored
funding to FRU. For 2015,
funding support is FJD5m.
Dr Williams said World
Rugby has agreed to work
with FRU as a partner and
will engage with FRU in
preparation for World Rugby
in September 2015; projects
that will assist FRU both
in terms of operation and
policy; training and capacity
building, governance and .
World Rugby is also providing additional assistance

in the new engagement
including funding costs of
senior management staff including a General Manager
Rugby.
And this has largely been
due to the fact that WR
now acknowledges what
the Board has achieved in
the areas good governance,
management, , administration, games, and player welfare.
She said in February 2014
a sponsorship consortium
agreement was signed with
Vodafone for cash and kind
over a five year period. In
2015 this sponsorship is budgeted at FJD3.1m.
We thank Vodafone and
its consortium partners for
their support and commitment to rugby.
There are other sponsors who have come on
Board, big and small, and I
thank them all on behalf of
the Fiji Rugby Union Board,
Council and members for
their continued support.
FRU total sponsorship in
cash and kind for 2015 totals
FJD4.2m.
The Government of Fiji
through the Fiji National
Sport Commission (FNSC)
supports Fiji Rugby meeting
the costs of the 7s and 15s
coaches as well as participation of our teams in international competitions. We are
grateful to the Government
of Fiji through the FNSC for
this strategic support.
Support from FASANOC

is equally and warmly acknowledged.
When this Board took up
office, revenues were down
considerably. There was a
deficit of FJD$606,647.00 in
2012.
All the positive outcomes in the past twenty
four months have resulted in
a healthy financial situation
for FRU.
As the approved audited accounts show, from a
deficit of FJD$606,647.00 in
2012, this was turned around
in 2013 with a surplus of
FJD$63,716.00 and in 2014
a surplus of FJD$586,213.00.
This is a remarkable
turnaround for a small organisation in a short period
of time and is attributed to
the hard work and commitment of all Board members
and FRU management.
FRU has not been in the
black for many years.
Income for 2015 budget
for FRU is about FJD12m.
This is not a small operation.
The goal is to sustain and
grow this.
PARTICIPATION
For Rugby, one significant feature is the growth in
player numbers.
In Fiji in 2014, participation in rugby numbers was
collected and entered in a
database for the first time.
The target is to increase
this number going forward.
And for such a small number of people participating
in rugby and the high level
of success we have had

on the international arena
in the past 100 years, it is
something we should all be
proud of.
Rugby certainly puts Fiji
on the map and continues
to be a unifying force in the
country.
In terms of the support
from fans, they play an important role and strengthen
the unifying force of the
game in Fiji. A partnership
with fans and members of
the community in submitting feedback on ideas on
improving rugby in Fiji will
continue.
MOVING FORWARD
Going forward, the FRU
Board recognises that there
will be significant positive
challenges for the game.
These include: in key growth
areas including sevens and
school rugby.
Providing full support for
our flagship team, the Fiji
Mens Sevens Team, to ensure they have the best resources and opportunity to
be the No.1 Sevens team in
the World.
Constitutional
Review
to be approved. The current 2010 Constitution with
changes needs to be accepted and endorsed at an
AGM. This has gone through
a legal panel. The changes
could not be accepted because of the lack of a quorum in two arranged AGMs
in 2014.
Sustainability of FRU. It is
crucial that other sources of
revenues is found. Merchandise revenue has grown in

the past year and has much
promise. The FRU brand is a
good one and is supported
locally and internationally.
Commercial opportunities and investment to be
pursued.
Keeping good accounts
and financial reporting. This
is a challenge for FRU as
well as all unions. Financial
woes have been longstanding and some improvement
must be made.
Rugby participation at all
levels needs to grow over
the next 5 years.
Communication
between FRU management,
Board and unions must be
improved going forward.
A partnership in rugby
strategy must be implemented.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Todays Annual General Meeting will be the end
of the term of the current
Board and we wish to thank
the Honourable Prime Minister and President of FRU,
the Trustees and the Council
for your faith in us to undertake a mammoth exercise to
right the course of Fiji Rugby.
It has been an honour to
serve the Council, the rugby
community and family, and
all rugby fans in the past two
years.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
LOCAL SPORTS
Waqa Wins Golden Boot Award

Ba striker Saula Waqas
five goals in the Fiji Airways
OFC Champions League
have gained him the Golden
Boot Award.
The 19-year-old, who is
also the Vodafone Fiji Under20 striker, has dedicated
the award to the two most
important women in his lifegrandmother and mother.
Waqa netted a hat trick
against Lupe Ole Soaga and
a double against AS Pirae for
the Men-In-Black in the regional competition and became the first Fijian player
to win the top award.
Im very happy and lost
for words, he said.
I want to dedicate this
win to my grandmother
Sereana Waqanicakau and
my mother Inise Naituva.
They are my biggest source
of inspiration and motivation. Its their guidance,
love, affection and support
which give me a reason to
do better and make them
proud.
My grandmother and
mother are always there
supporting me in every
game I play and this award
is dedicated to them. I also
want to thank my teammates for all their support.
I could not have scored
the five goals if they did not
pass the ball to me. Football
is a team sport and I would
q CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

We thank all those who
have volunteered their time
to help FRU in many ways.
They include our legal advisors, our marketing and
communications advisors,
I.T experts and media partners. We thank you all for
your time and without receiving any remuneration.
Again, to the Government, all our sponsors and
in particular Vodafone and
its consortium partners,
thank you warmly for your
continuing partnership in
rugby.
To the CEO Mr Radrodro
Tabualevu and his team,
we thank you for your commitment and hard work
in keeping rugby moving
ahead in our most challenging time.
I also thank Dr Berlin Kafoa who carried the Acting
CEO role for a substantial
period on top of his substantive position at the Fiji National University. He served
at the most critical time
without remuneration.
Over the two years, the
Board had 25 Board meetings. Sub-Committees met
frequently, sometimes every
week. I thank their families
for their time as I know Directors have sacrificed a
great deal.
So to the Board Directors Mr Daniel Whippy,
Mr Mosese Taga, Dr Berlin
Kafoa, Dr Esther Williams,
Mr Napolioni Batimala, Mr
Baljeet (Billy) Singh, Mr Carl
Ngamoki-Cameron and Mr
Filimone Vatuvoka a big
Saula Waqa receives his Golden Boot Award from Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel. Photo: SHANE WENZLICK / Phototek.nz
not have won this award
without them.
The lanky striker said the
award comes as a perfect
motivation for him ahead
of the FIFA U20 World Cup
where he aims to score
vinaka vakalevu to you all.

Thank you for your support
and your commitment to
FRU, the players and the
unions, Dr Williams mentioned on behalf of outgoing
chairman Filimoni Waqabaca.
NEW BOARD APPOINTMENTS
The AGM concluded today with the un-opposed
nomination of the new
board of directors.
They are Jay White, John
OConnor, Max Olsen, Tevita
Bolanavanua, Ratu Aisea
Vosailagi and Carl NgamokiCameron. Ngamoki-Cameron is the only director that
was retained from the previous board
Three (3) directors remain to be appointed. The
trustees will appoint two (2)
while the third will be the
Prime Ministers nominee.
The new board of directors
are expected meet soon and
decide on their Chairman.
The meeting was also observed by World Rugby, FASANOC and the Fiji National
Sports Commission.
FRU
more goals for Fiji.

Winning the Golden
Boot in a tournament which
has some of the best strikers from around the world is
very special to me.
I would say this is a
lifetime award for me and

something I will always
cherish and look at to get
more motivation before my
games, he added.
Ba coach and Vodafone
Fiji U20 assistant coach Sha-
len Lal said this is a huge

achievement for Waqa as
he is the first Fijian to be
awarded.
He has been impressive and improving game
by game and I hope that
the award will be a morale

booster for him ahead of the
FIFA U20 World Cup, Lal
added.
FIJI FA MEDIA
PM Receives International
Olympic Committee President
By ANUSHIL KUMAR
The Prime Minister

Hon. Voreqe Bainimarama received a courtesy
call on Saturday, May 2,
from the International
Olympic
Committee
(IOC) president Thomas
Bach.
Mr Bach led a highlevel delegation to meet

the Prime Minister at his
office in Government
Buildings, Suva.
In welcoming the
President and his delegation to Fiji, the Prime
Minister said Fiji looked
forward to working with
the IOC to strengthen
Fijis sporting sector.
He pointed out his

Governments commitment to develop the
sporting sector for Fijis
youth.
They also spoke about
Fijis participation at the
2016 Olympic Games in
Rio, Brazil, in particular,
the Rugby sevens tournament that will feature
for the first time in Rio.
The visiting delegation included the IOC

Vice
President
and
President of the Australian National Olympic
Committee Mr John
Coates and the Oceania
IOC President Dr Robin
Mitchell.
q
DEPTFO
q CONTINUED FROM
BACK PAGE
As the newest tournament on the PGA Tour of

Australasia and OneAsia
tours, the inaugural Fiji
International was a resounding success.
It was not only a great
golf event, but also an
opportunity to showcase Fiji as a premier
cultural, leisure and
sporting
destination
with a diverse range
of activities and attractions.
120 players from
16 different countries
came together at the
spectacular
Natadola
Bay Championship Golf
Course to take on the
challenging layout, designed by local hero Vijay Singh, to compete in
the regions first ever in-
Last years Fiji International winner Steve Jeffress recieves the prize money.
Photo: SUPPLIED
ternationally broadcast players Liang Wenchong by sinking the last putt

and Wu Ashun, and two of the tournament as he
tournament.
Other players in the of Australias most suc- birdied the 18th hole to
field included three cessful and respected claim the title by four
time Major Champion golfers Craig Parry and shots from fellow AusNick Price, Fijis Dinesh Peter OMalley.
tralian Jake HigginbotHitting the very first tom.
Chand, Indias highest
ranked and world top- tee shot of the Fiji Inter100 player Anirban La- national, Steven Jeffress
q PRESS RELEASE
hiri, Chinas top ranked went on to make history
THE JET - FIJIS FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 23
Page 22
Page 23
WARDENS GOLD
WINS NAWAKA
7s
WAQA GETS
GOLDEN BOOT
IN OFC
MAY 2015. ISSUE 65
50 CENTS
More Fijian Golfers

for Fiji International
Steve Jeffress (pictured )broke away from third-round co-leader Jake Higginbottom to
win the Fiji International last year. Photo: SportAsia.com
More Fijians are guaranteed to be

playing the countrys premier golf
tournament the Fiji International.
Four Fijians competed in the inaugural Fiji International, held in August
last year, but that number is set to rise
in 2015 with more places in the tournament provided to local talent.
The Fiji Open champion will earn
a start, as will the top finishing Fijian
player and in an exciting new development, a qualifying series will be
staged around the country with three
places in the Fiji International up for
grabs.
The increased number of playing
opportunities for Fijians at the Fiji
International is one part of the PGA
Tour of Australasias plan to grow the
game of golf in the country.
In 2014 we had four Fijian golfers
teeing it up in the inaugural Fiji International, this year we aim to see this
number increase, said Simon Butterly,
General Manager Tournament Division for the PGA Tour of Australasia.
Through the Fiji International a
number of young Fijians are exposed
to golf, we want to provide them with
role models to look up to and aspire to
be like.
Vijay Singh continues to inspire a
number of people to take up the game,
but we want to find that next Fijian star
to encourage future golfers.
Golfers aiming to compete in the Fiji
International will have their first opportunity to qualify via the Fiji Open which
is to be played at the Fiji Golf Club in
Suva from June 4-7.
We are very grateful to see an increased number of opportunities pro-
vided for Fijians to compete in the

prestigious Fiji International, said
Ofakilomaloma Tabunakawai, President of the National Golf Association
of Fiji.
This allows for our local talent to
earn the exclusive experience of playing against some of the worlds best
golfers at the Fiji International.
Fijian PGA Professionals and elite
amateurs with a handicap of five or
less who are also Fijian citizens or residents will be able to compete in the Fiji
International qualifying series.
Played over three days, players
will compete on three of Fijis best 18
holes courses with the leading scorers
across the 54 holes earning one of the
three coveted positions into the worldclass tournament.
It is great to provide our local golf
professionals a chance to qualify for

the Fiji International and prove themselves at an international level, said
Graeme Bell, President of the Fiji PGA.
To compete against some of the
worlds best golfers is an opportunity
that needs to be earned and we believe the qualifying series will achieve
this goal.
The 2015 Fiji International will be
held from October 15-18 at Natadola
Bay Championship Golf Course.
The inaugural Fiji International,
boasting a million dollar prize purse,
signalled Fijis official arrival onto the
golfing world stage with the Fijian
Government, Fiji Tourism and Fijis
number one golf ambassador, Vijay
Singh, all making a push to put their
country on the lucrative world golfing
map.
q
CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

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FIJIS FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

MAY 2015. ISSUE 65

By IVA DANFORD - NAISARA

we do in regards to the 2015 cokes

like the Coca-Cola Games, Raboiliku added.

Fiji - the way the world should be

It is a day of celebration for families with

IVA DANFORD - NAISARA

THE JET is Fijis first community newspaper published bi-monthly

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

Bonus Payments for

Cheques with a total of $1 million dollars

third payout reach the

and a genuine cause

FNPF to Assist Employers with Contribution

The Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) is urging

will assist employers who

to fill these forms to avoid

THE JET - FIJIS FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

cies that employers continue to make when submitting

Members can verify and

New Flag to Strengthen Fijian Identity

Fiji should establish a

ing-out on April 22.

dened to learn the death of

come from, Mr Bainimarama said.

In his speech at the Magodro District School Cadet

He added they have

where we come from.

rama at this years Cadet

cause I know that the future

or that they have learned

The locally-renowned Fijian Masi artist and designer of Fiji

Magodro District School

to you, your parents, your

You boys and girls have

THE JET - FIJIS FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Coca-Cola Games In Pictures

THE JET - FIJIS FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Graduating Class of Success

ing of being rejuvenated,

plishment with their new

tion of the Australian Government and the tutors

Union Urged to Step-up

The Honorable Minster

Minister for Education Dr Mahendra Reddy. Photo: SUPPLIED.

He also urged the unions

Turtle Talks, which is the

tle talk is to share the feeling of energy and spirit with

first Talks which were held

has campuses in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New

He said the theme of

Teachers are at the

Turtle Talk Launched

The Punjas Group has

This is a fantastic win for

THE JET - FIJIS FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Information Sharing Vital for

agement Council formerly

Participants at the 2015 forum on Geographical Information System and Remote

I am sharing this with

For what is it is worth,

ing communication links,

Leadership in Schools Vital to