Audiology Outreach.

Jacks of Fiji Sports Store

Pg. 5 Grand Opening. Pg 17

ANZ FETA HONOURS TRIO. Sailors Set Course to the

Pg. 13 35th Fiji Regatta. Pg. 19

VOLUME 10 - ISSUE 104 FEBRUARY 26/2018 www.thejetnewspaper.com 50 CENTS

Weekly Justice of Peace and teacher

Mohenesh Singh awarded
member of the Order of Fiji
Medal. Pg. 13

Outrigger Scoops
Accolade

Outrigger Fiji scores a hat trick with three consecutive wins. Photo: SUPPLIED.

By LITIA TIKOMAILEPANONI
Hard work and commitment of
the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort’s
staff was testimonial when the five
star resort was announced winner of
the ‘Accommodation Deluxe’ at the
2017 ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism
Awards on Denarau Island.
The Resort which is nested in the
heart of Coral Coast in Sigatoka has
scooped this award for the third time
this year.
General Manager Peter Hopgood
commended his staffs for yet anoth-
er milestone achievement.
“The Outrigger vuvale is extreme-
ly proud to be the recipient of this
prestigious award. To be honored
in this way is a true testament of the
service culture at the resort, which is
all about delivering wonderful holi-
day experience to our guests, we are
truly blessed with the best staff that
you could ever wish for, “Mr Hop-
good said.
“The team at Outrigger Fiji Beach
Resort take great pride in what they
do. Receiving this award confirms
that through their commitment and
hard work we are achieving the ser-
vice standards that we can all be
proud of.
The Resort is determined to be
the ultimate tourist attraction in the
western side with major develop-
ments in the pipeline.
“As previously stated, our team is
the “Best”. I also believe that our in-
volvement and connection with our
community makes a unique experi-
ence when guests come and stay at
our resort.”
“Winning this award is a combi-
nation of many services and facilities
that we provide at the resort. Out-
standing dining experiences, one of
the best spa sanctuaries in the South
Pacific, unique services including
our meimei nannies and Talai but-
lers all contribute to the resort being
voted as “Best Deluxe Resort” in Fiji.
Ultimately it still comes down to our
hosts.
“We are currently undertaking re-
furbishment works to our walkways
and buffet restaurant. We are also
working on new prototype rooms
with a vision to undertake a major
upgrade to our accommodation later
this year.
Meanwhile, Likuliku Lagoon
Resort was the first to be inducted
into the Fiji Excellence in Tourism
Awards Hall of Fame, while duo
Captain Matereti Tuisue, Jenny Seeto
and Patrick Wong were awarded the
prestigious Lifetime Achievement
Award.
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“Fiji - the way the world should be”

“ You must be asking yourself as to what makes Fiji so special? Amongst many things, the
Fijian people is mainly what makes this tropical island so special when compared to other
FROM THE DESK places in the world.They are friendly, welcoming and gracious. Fiji has all of the requistes

Dengue Fever
necessities for the typical tropical paradise, pretty much everything. The golden sun, sandy
beaches, sparkling blue water and tropical rainforest with activities ranging from diving,
snorkelling, jet-skiing and more”

Outbreak Restored Water Supply in

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

Nadi and Lautoka area

There had been a Dengue Fever outbreak in Nadi and Ba,
where 312 confirmed cases was recorded at the beginning of
this year as expressed by the Ministry of Health.
With the rainy weather and floods hovering the western
side, it is expected that the number of dengue patients is ex-
pected to increase.
Altogether The Ministry is especially concerned with the
high numbers of confirmed dengue patients requiring admis-
sion; 140 admissions have been recorded so far this year in
the Western Division. Of these, 51 were admitted at Ba Mission
Hospital, and 54 at Nadi Subdivisional Hospital, with 10 in Siga-
toka, and 25 at Lautoka Divisional Hospital. Again, the majority
of admissions have been in Nadi and Ba, with each receiving
approximately 10 per week.
Reports from the Western Divisional Outbreak and Response
Team are that most of these patients have been admitted with
severe dengue.
To the public please make sure to take immediate actions to
destroy dengue mosquito breeding places.
We must destroy mosquito breeding places. It means keep-
ing our compounds clean, properly disposing old cans and
bottles, clearing rubbish piles and ensuring there is no stagnant
water around the place.
The symptoms of dengue fever, which typically begin 5-7
days after being infected by a dengue virus carrying mosquito,
include: sudden onset of high fever with severe headache, pain
behind the eyes/eye socket, joint pains, muscle pains, tired-
ness, nausea, vomiting, or skin rash. The symptoms can last 3-7
days before you start to feel better.
More worrying symptoms, or danger signs, which may indi-
cate the life threatening complication of severe dengue fever
(dengue haemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome) can
occur within the first 24hrs or later in the illness, and include:
severe stomach (abdominal) pain, continuous vomiting, fast
breathing, unexplained bruising, bleeding gums, tiredness, rest-
lessness and blood in vomit.
Lets joinour hands to fight against this deadly disease.

q LITIA TIKOMAILEPANONI

Send us your feedbacks or suggestions to:

feedbacks@media.com.fj WAF crew members during the inspection at the Nagado water Treatment plant.Photo: SUPPLIED.

By MARIA LAQETA
The recent water supply in
the Nadi and Lautoka areas
THE JET is Fiji’s first community newspaper published weekly by suffered early this month due
YOURSPACE LIMITED from Nadi - the tourism capital of Fiji. to the Nagado Water Supply
Shutdown.
PUBLISHER/EDITOR: SAMUEL SHANKAR Cell: 9966115 Good news on board after
NEWS : LITIA TIKOMAILEPANONI Cell: 8002671 Water Authority of Fiji (WAF)
managed to restore water for
NEWS : MARIA LAQETA Cell: 9216562 household consumptions due
ADVERTISING : MARGARET NAQIRI Cell: 9360047 on time.
OFFICE PHONES : 6707075 / 6750443 In response from the WAF
EMAIL : news@thejetnewspaper.com Board Director, Mr Kamal
: sam@media.com.fj Gounder, thanked the mem-
WEBSITE : www.thejetnewspaper.com bers of the public in the af-
fected areas for taking heed
of the notices and storing wa-
COMPLAINTS: The Jet Newspaper continues to strive for excellence in ter to sustain them during the
its publications, with this in mind we welcome all complaints and sug- water disruption period.
gestions from our readers. All such comments could be sent to On the other hand, it was
feedbacks@media.com.fj We thank you our readers for your valued a challenge for WAF in ensur-
support towards The Jet Newspaper. ing that the public had water
on time.
PRINTED BY MAX MARKETING - LAYOUT BY MARGARET NAQIRI WAF team have been
working very hard to ensure
the availability of the drinking
water for 165,000 customers,
including the hotel sector and
other businesses.
But with proper planning,
WAF were able to meet the
challenge and Awareness
amongst the public, major
customers including hotels,
businesses and Government
institutions helped WAF to
achieve the goal.
With adverse weather,
maintaining drinking water
standards in water tanks,
and availability of limited
water cart trucks were other
challenges that WAF had to
overcome. However, with ad-
vanced planning, WAF man-
aged to face to the situation.
Lessons were learnt after
successfully completing the
repairs to the leaking Vanessa
valve at the Nagado Water
Treatment Plant whereby cer-
tain sections within the water
distribution network were in-
dentified as weak and sensi-
tive to pressure variations.
Such information will be
helpful for future operations
as there will be minor points
picked up during the opera-
tions that could be further im-
proved.
Meanwhile, WAF’s Board
Director said that WAF has
capacity to undertake similar
operations in the future and
added that the relationship
with customers “is the most
important thing towards suc-
cess.
President for Fiji and Tour-
ism Association, Mr Dixon
Seeto, praised WAF for its
commitment in providing ex-
cellent service during the dis-
ruption period
The Fiji Hotel and Tour-
ism Association appreciates
WAF’s commitment in provid-
ing excellent service during
the disruption period. WAF
has been facilitating all wa-
ter carting request in a timely
manner to the hoteliers.
“Water Authority of Fiji’s
consultation with the hote-
liers regarding the shutdown
period notified us one month
prior to shutdown, which
gave hoteliers ample time to
fill their reserve tanks. The
water repairs progress update
was forecasted and was well
informed,” said Mr Seeto.
The hoteliers are very
thankful for the massive
awareness that was conduct-
ed by WAF. There was a great
collaboration between WAF
and Fiji Hotel association and
we will continue to strengthen
the stakeholder relationship.

Payout for Housing Authority

Staff Announced
By ANA SOVA
More than 130 non-man-
agement staff of the Housing
Authority will receive bonus
for the years 2015 and 2016
with some receiving pay in-
crements based on individual
performance.
The bonus payout was an-
nounced by the Attorney-Gen-
eral and Minister for Public
Enterprises, Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-
Khaiyum at the Housing Au-
thority in Valelevu, Nasinu on
2 THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
12 February.
The Attorney General said
the bonus pay out for the
management staff was cur-
rently being assessed.
For 2015, 24 staff would
receive a bonus of 7 per cent,
78 staff would receive a bo-
nus of 6 per cent while 32 staff
would get a bonus of 5 per
cent. For 2016, 26 staff would
receive a bonus of 7 per cent,
57 staff would get a 6 per cent
bonus while 63 staff was set to
receive a bonus of 5 per cent.
He also announced that 26
high performing staff would
receive a pay rise of 4 per
cent. “The total cost of bonus
payout is $350,272.02 and the
pay increment is $50,092.73,”
the AG added.
Mr. Sayed- Khaiyum said
the Housing Authority had an
important role to play in the
economy, and urged all the
workers to continue working
diligently in ensuring all Fiji-
ans had access to affordable
and quality housing.
He also highlighted the
need for the management to
recognise people who were
performing well. The bonus
payout and pay increment
would be given to the staff in
this week’s pay.
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Nadi Special Education get

Sponsored
By MARIA LAQETA
A family all the way from
Melbourne, Australia handed
over household equipment
to the Nadi Centre for Special
Education.
Donor Glenn Wilson
proudly handed over the
equipment to the school with
a heart of giving.
“My family have been con-
tacting the school since late
last year and have been grant-
ed a private tour of the school
with my family.
“I asked the school if they
needed any school supplies
as my family would love to
give them something special,
in return theyrequested for a
vacuum cleaner and a water
blaster,” he added.
Mr Wilson said as they
have donated the vacuum
cleaner and a water blaster
it would assists the school for
future use.
“These two household
equipment have been offered
to me a really big discount
on the items as it’s for a very
good cause from company
called “Kärcher” a German
based family business that op-
erates worldwide,” he added.
“It’s our fourth time visits to
the country and our third Nadi
school visits this year and the
main reason we want to par-
take in the assistance is that
we found out that our daugh-
ter had ‘Down syndrome’ and
she hold a place in our heart
and we want to share to other
children few resources with
similar needs,” wife Malissa
Wilson said.
The Wilson’s family, Glenn,
Melissa, Blake and Madi-
synwished to add a very big
thank you to Nadi school for
special education for allowing
them to visit as it holds a spe-
cial park lace in their hearts.
Nadi Special School head
teacher Reena Devi who
overseer one hundred sixty
five students who are back to
school this year. Glenn Wilson’s family with head teacher Reena Devi and students of Nadi Centre for Special
“We have been receiving Education. Photo: MARIA LAQETA .
donation in a yearly basis we
praised the Wilson family in
making the significant con- heart to giveout for the school working with people because ing the school from today until
tribution to the school,” she and at the same time we nev- it may lead to people with February 16, 2018.
said. er stop anyone to help,” she massive resources and be
“We welcome donors and added. able to assists in many ways.
visitors in future, if they have a Mrs Devi believed in net- Wilson family will be visit-

Youth to be Equipped with Quality Education

Commonwealth Education Ministers. Photo: DEPTFO.

By LITIA TIKOMAILEPANONI
Nothing is more important to any
nation than to equip its young people
for satisfying, worthwhile lives by giv-
ing them access to quality education.
This was the sentiment echoed
by the Prime Minister Voreqe Baini-
marama during the opening of the
20th Conference of Commonwealth
Education in Sheraton Hotel, on De-
narau Island in Nadi.
“We all know that education is
the key to sustainable development
because it equips people with the
skills they need to benefit their own
lives and the lives of those around
them,” he said.
He added that the Ministry of Edu-
cation was being streamlined to be
more responsive.
“And we are working with our
teachers to increase their skills base
and financially reward our best per-
formers. “But for all the challenges,
I believe our education revolution
is the biggest single thing we have
done as a government and as a na-
tion to benefit our people.”
He reiterated the importance of
including sustainability at the core of
Government decisions.
“Governments at every level must
also place sustainability at the core
of their decision-making.
- Sustainable development that
protects our natural heritage and
treads lightly on the environment.
-Sustainable policies that work
holistically and which have longev-
ity to extend the benefits of develop-
ment to as many of our citizens as
possible.
- Sustainable spending that
doesn’t cripple nations, states and
cities with excessive debt.
- And sustainable economies that
balance the needs of government
and the private sector, with both
working hand in hand to ensure con-
tinuing sustainable development.
“In that, no sustainable develop-
ment at all will be possible without
decisive action on climate change
and decisive action to reverse the
degradation of our oceans.”
The delegates were also ask to
have a moment of silence to com-
memorate the second anniversary
of Tropical Cyclone Winston, which
slammed into our nation with ter-
rible force on 20 February 2016. Win-
ston was the biggest storm ever to
make landfall in the southern hemi-
sphere, packing record winds at its
peak of more than 300 kilometres an
hour.
53 nations attended the confer-
ence.

Sweet Tweets: What do you think of Students using Social Media?

Baljeet Singh Gina Brown Ateca Adilewatoga, Yaroi Sereima Tuirara Ximon Shankar Roshika Deo
LAUTOKA LAUTOKA SAVUSAVU NADI NADI SUVA

“Students should concen-
trate more on their studies
because that will help them
in a brighter future rather
than social media which
has all false news takes u
nowhere”.
“Its quicker and convenient
for those that stay far”.
“They are abusing it the
opposite way i.e using Face-
book during school hours
compared to our time that
was not allowed at all!”.
“I think its good for the stu-
dents as it makes them have
access to information,online
learning, gain wider knowl-
edge but it depends on how
they use it”.
“It depends how they use “Yes, responsible use of
it”. social media should be pro-
moted. What is starkly miss-
ing is that there is no public
education on social media
use by any government or
civil society entities”.

THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 3

www.thejetnewspaper.com
Engine Fire Forced Fiji Link Aircraft
to Return
By ANA SOVA
A Fiji Link ATR 72-600 air-
craft on its way to Suva from
Nadi was forced to return
shortly after takeoff after the
aircraft’s right hand engine
developed problems.
In a statement, the air-
line’s General Manger, Shae-
naz Voss said the pilots were
alerted to an engine fire and
activated the fire extinguish-
ing system on board to bring
the situation under control.
Following protocol, they
shut down the engine and re-
turned the ATR 72-600 aircraft
safely to Nadi without further
incident or injury to guests
and crew.
Voss said an emergency
was declared initially but can-
celled once the situation was
Fiji Hosts Regional Tuna
Management Workshop
By MARIA LAQETA
Two day regional work-
shop to create a better un-
derstanding among Western
and Central Pacific Ocean
(WCPO) on tuna manage-
ment approaches will be held
in Nadi from February 20-21.
Organized by Fiji’s Ministry
of Fisheries and WWF, with
financial support from the
Global Environment Facil-
ity’s (GEF) Areas Beyond
National Jurisdiction (ABNJ)
project, the workshop is to
support the development
of tuna harvest strategies
within the WCPO by creating
a unique platform and agenda
that considers some of the
key elements of fisheries
management issues cur-
rently relevant to the WCPO
states.
WWF-Pacific’s Sustainable
Fisheries and Seafood Pro-
gramme Manager, Duncan
Fiji Hosted Key Commonwealth
Meeting for Educational
Leaders from Across the Globe
By MARIA LAQETA
Education ministers and
their delegations from around
the world have arrived in Nadi
in preparation for the 20th an-
nual Conference of Common-
wealth Education Ministers
(20CCEM).
Hence, the meeting was
often held every three years,
CCEM is a high-level series of
meetings giving education of-
ficials from the 53 Common-
wealth countries an opportu-
nity to engage in meaningful
dialogue and discuss key edu-
cation issues and trends-- this
year, in the context of climate
change.
20CCEM, spanning from
19-23 February at the Shera-
ton Fiji Resort in Denarau, will
mark the first time that the
Conference will be hosted by
a Pacific Island nation.
Fiji, currently presiding over
the presidency of the United
Nations’ climate change con-
ference, COP23, will play host
to a climate-centred 20CCEM,
the theme of which is “Sus-
tainability and Resilience: Can
Education Deliver?”
“Fiji is incredibly proud to
stand as a leader among the
Commonwealth as the first
Pacific Island nation to host
this important gathering,”
said Fijian Prime Minister and
COP23 President Frank Baini-
4 THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
contained.
“All guests were met and
assisted by Fiji Link upon re-
turn to Nadi,” she said.
Fiji Airways and the Civil
Aviation Authority of Fiji
(CAAF) are investigating the
incident.
Voss said all disrupted
guests will be rebooked on
subsequent flights to Suva.
“A number of other flights
will be affected as a result and
Fiji Airways and Fiji Link
apologise to affected
guests,”
“The airline reiterates that
safety is always priority and
all flight crews are trained to
control and handle such situ-
ations.”
Williams said “Fiji is an ex-
ecuting partner of the global
ABNJ Tuna Project which aims
to improve the health and sus-
tainability of tuna fisheries
worldwide by reducing illegal
catch and supporting related
marine ecosystems and spe-
cies.”
“This workshop aims to ac-
celerate the development of
tuna harvest strategies within
each ocean region including
the Western and Central Pa-
cific Fisheries Commission
which has agreed to imple-
ment a harvest strategy ap-
proach, making this workshop
particularly timely and appro-
priate,” said Williams.
Using innovative and
‘hands on’ simulation tools,
participants at the two-day
event will learn how manage-
ment strategies evaluations
(MSEs) can test and contrib-
marama. “We offer a fitting
location for 20CCEM, and not
just because of our global cli-
mate leadership.
Fiji is in the midst of an
‘education revolution’; provid-
ing free schooling, textbooks,
and transportation to many of
our young people for the first
time in our country’s history,
restructuring a merit-based
compensation system for
teachers, increasing access
to higher degrees through an
affordable Tertiary Education
Loan Scheme, and rebuild-
ing schools that were struck
by Cyclone Winston-- and
all done through a lens of re-
silience and sustainability.
We look forward to continu-
ing this progress, sharing our
learnings, and gaining new
perspectives through collabo-
ration with our fellow Com-
monwealth nations at this
year’s event.”
Nearly 500 attendees are
expected throughout the
week at 20CCEM, where edu-
cation ministers from 32 Com-
monwealth nations and their
delegations will be joined by
world-renowned politicians
and speakers, teachers, stu-
dents, NGO representatives,
and other partners.
“Here in Fiji over the com-
ing days, we have an early
A Fiji Link ATR-72-600 aircraft. Photo: AIRLINERS.NET.
ute to the development of
robust control rules within an
overall harvest strategy ap-
proach.
The “Areas Beyond Na-
tional Jurisdiction (ABNJ):
Western & Central Pacific
Ocean Tuna Management
Workshop”, will complement
the capacity building that
has already been delivered
to WCPFC members and will
assist Commission members
to understand and appreciate
the value of robust and well
tested harvest strategies to
enable effective participation
at future international negotia-
tions.
Forty participants from Fiji
and the Pacific region are ex-
pected to attend the two-day
workshop that will be held at
the Tanoa International Hotel
in Nadi.
opportunity to influence out-
comes of that meeting. We
can help plan for a common
future that is fairer, more pros-
perous, more sustainable and
more secure that will meet
the needs of all, particularly
our young people,” said Com-
monwealth Secretary-Gen-
eral Patricia Scotland. “Our
53 Commonwealth member
countries have a combined
population of some 2.4 bil-
lion. More than 60 per cent are
under 30 years of age, and in
some countries, that rises to
over 70 per cent. These young
people drive long-term eco-
nomic growth, competitive-
ness, prosperity and social
justice, if given the fair chance
and opportunities to fulfil their
potential.”
The outcomes of 20CCEM
will be presented at the Com-
monwealth Heads of Govern-
ment Meeting in London this
April.
Youth with a Mission
Moved to the West
By MARIA LAQETA
The Motivated Interna-
tional Christian Organisation,
Youth with a Mission (YWAM)
host its second global move-
ment training at Nakurakura
Assemblies of God church in
Nadi.
YWAM co-ordinator Ratu
Josaia Dawai said the seminar
happened is targeting youth in
empowering them spiritually
in hearing gods voice.
Seven years’ experience
spend in the missionary work,
organizing and facilitating the
event is not new to Dawai.
“Those who want to im-
prove their relationship with
God, with this training, par-
ticipant may benefitted and
equipped in how to do minis-
try better.
Mr Dawai said Ywam is the
only Christian organisation
that does this kind of training
and empowerment.
“Youth with a mission (Uni-
Fiji Haemophilia
Foundation Medical
Symposium
By MARIA LAQETA
The haemophiliac founda-
tion Symposium in Fiji hosted
its first ever local medical two
days symposium at Nadi Bay
Resort.
Co-founder of the founda-
tion and a board member,
Roshika Deo said the objec-
tives of the foundation was
to create awareness, source
services and medications,
and advocate for people with
haemophilia in Fiji.
“It is a general lack of
awareness, stigma, discrimi-
nation and major gaps in
medical services for people
living with this genetic condi-
tion,” she added.
Miss Deo believed the
event was to hold the first ever
medical symposium on hae-
mophilia which is a genetic
medical condition in which
your blood doesn’t coagu-
late or you have spontaneous
Send us your feedbacks or suggestions to:
feedbacks@media.com.fj
versity of the Nations) , its part
of a global movement that fo-
cuses on discipleship , equip-
ping and higher learning with
a target age groups for this
particular program is 16years
old to 95 years,” he added.
“For the first stage which
is six months (basic disciple-
ship training school) has costs
around $3000 and it’s really
expensive to study in a school
and many can’t attend cause
of work commitment,” he
said.
“With this mini concept
of seven weeks will only be
conducted every Tuesday, I
believe this seminar would
assists the churches and com-
munities in getting equipped,
disciple and trained with their
spiritual life,” he added.
Missions, he said is the
heart beat of God and every
person on earth had a spe-
cific mission and purpose in
bleedings in your muscles and
joints causing deformity.
“The second day was to
set up Fiji Haemophilia Foun-
dation - Fiji first and a much
needed body to create aware-
ness, source and provide fac-
tors (medication for haemo-
philia which is not available in
Fiji) and increase the capac-
ity of medical professionals to
identify, treat and provide pa-
tient care including technical
lab diagnostic capabilities,”
she added.
She said over 50 medical
professionals participated in
the medical symposium on
Saturday and over 30 patients
and their family members par-
ticipate on Sunday.
“Medical professionals
have been able to gain tech-
nical knowledge on haemo-
philia during the medical
symposium and we then had
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life which will only get under-
stood once a person have a
relationship or knowing God
personally.
“Teaching and disciple-
ship is very important once a
person get the right perspec-
tive and grounded in the truth
then their life will be able to
live out the way god wants
them to,” he added.
Meanwhile, he said the
advantage of the seminar, it
brought Ywam teachers, pas-
tors, youth leaders and Chris-
tians together for networking.
Training already in hand
started from February 13 un-
til March 27 with forty youths
from eight churches showing
interest.
Dawai is a full-time mis-
sionary and worked as evan-
gelism team in the local Aog
Churches and Suva is the first
seminar happened.
a panel with patients and their
families who shared their ex-
periences and difficulties,”
she added.
“This would help improve
the services that medical pro-
fessionals provide on same
note patients will benefit the
most as they will finally have
access to proper diagnostic
services, medications to live
a healthy life, a life free from
pain and reach their fullest po-
tential,” she added.
Meanwhile, the medical
symposium is hosted by LA
Kelly Communications (USA)
who is an expert in haemo-
philia education as well the
medical specialist from New
Zealand not forgetting local
medical practitioners, nurses,
educators, people with hae-
mophilia and families.
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Audiology Outreach
By MARIA LAQETA

The Frank Hilton Organiza-
tion which is the Suva Branch
of the Fiji Crippled Children’s
Society, has for many years
provided services to children
with disabilities in Suva.
Currently, the Non-Govern-
ment Organisation take the
first step to expand their out-
reach to the West.
Frank Hilton Organisa-
tion Programme Co-ordinator
Shabina Dean said the Audi-
ology Department planned
on screening approximately
600 children from six Special
School since November 6 to
10 last year and continuedthis
Frank Hilton organisation’s staff visits to Nadi Centre for year to test the ones that did
Special Education. Photo: FHO. not attended to andalso in
need re-testones on a new
environment,amongst thevis-
its today is the Nadi Centre for
Special Education.
“The team started in Ra
and wrapped up in Sigatoka
with assistance and acknowl-
edging Dr. Donna Carkeet and
Dr. Oh who volunteered their
time and services to make
this project a success,” she
added.
“Approximately 306 chil-
dren from 6 special schools
were screened, 60 children
received treatment from ENT
who joined us for a day, 66
children referred to hospitals
for follow up treatment, 58
identified for further diagnos-
tic testing at FHO Suva clinic.
Dean said about 126
cleared and will not require
any further action and 224
children were absent from
school on the day of screen-
ing or were not consented for
screening.
“The Western Special
Schools outreach project was
a great experience for the
team,” she added.
The team, she said have
learned to re-evaluate com-
munity awareness and edu-
cation strategies to ensure
parents, teachers and com-
munity at large understand
the many contributing fac-
tors that cause hearing loss in
children; as well as identify-
ing hearing impairment at an
early age.
Nadi Centre for Special Ed-
ucation protection officer Mo-
henesh Singh said it was good
opportunity for the student to
have such visit because there
are student who unable to af-
ford it personally.
“I think this also helps par-
ents and teacher to under-
stand their child hearing dis-
ability status,” he added.
Upcoming visits will be
conducted in the Northern
division.

Best Practices for

Experts in Tuna
Fisheries
By LITIA TIKOMAILEPANONI Large size Tuna displayed in the factories. Photo: GOOGLE.

Experts Responsible for
World’s Largest Tuna Fisher-
ies are gathered in Nadi to
Work towards a more sus-
tainable way to better man-
age their respective fisheries
whilst get further understand-
ing of tuna management best
practices.
The Common Oceans
ABNJ Tuna Project workshop
which is underway in Nadi,
includes Fishery managers
from Western and Central Pa-
cific Ocean states who
collectively produce over
half of the world’s tuna.
This workshop will over-
see that 80 people involved
in WCPO tuna have now re-
ceived tools to better manage
their respective fisheries.
Executive Director WCP-
FC, Feleti Teo said “Harvest
strategies can be used to en-
sure fisheries catch significant
volumes of tuna, but in a way
which doesn’t overfish the
stock.
“Our mandate at the
WCPFC is to maintain sustain-
able use of tuna resources
through effective manage-
ments, Trainings such as this
workshop are a good way to
ensure fisheries managers
have the acumen and tools to
implement,” he said.
The project harnesses the
efforts of a large and diverse
array of partners including
the five tuna regional fishery
management
organizations (RFMOs),
governments, intergovern-
mental organizations,
non-governmental orga-
nizations and private sector,
with the aim of
achieving responsible, ef-
ficient and sustainable tuna
production and
biodiversity conservation
in the areas beyond national
jurisdiction.
According to Alejandro An-
ganuzzi of the Food and Agri-
culture Organization of the
Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations (UN-FAO)
Tuna Fisheries in the WCPO,
by volume, are the most sig-
nificant tuna fisheries on
earth.
“And these fisheries con-
tribute billions towards the
region’s economy, so durable
tuna management practices
which avoid overexploitation
and depletion of tuna stocks
is a top priority.”
Dr. Graham Pilling of the
Oceanic Fisheries Programme
at the Pacific
Community [(SPC) added,
“As members continue to de-
velop the harvest
strategy approach for their
fisheries and stocks, this
workshop will
enhance their engagement
with the process, and enable
them to provide
the critical inputs neces-
sary for its implementation.”
Altogether, 280 developing
state representatives have re-
ceived training as part of the
workshop series.The Com-
mon Oceans ABNJ Tuna Proj-
ect is funded by Global Envi-
ronment
Facility (GEF) and imple-
mented by UN-FAO. Addition-
al funding for
this workshop was pro-
vided by the SPC with support
from the New Zealand
Aid Programme.
The Common Oceans
ABNJ Tuna Project is funded
by Global Environment
Facility(GEF) and imple-
mented by UN-FAO.
The Nadi workshop, de-
signed by Ocean Outcomes
for the Common Oceans
ABNJ Tuna Project and
implementing partner World
Wide Fund for Nature
(WWF), is number seven
in a series of eight.

Inauguration Ceremony of Minister Lauds Best Group

Peace Committee in Fiji of Fijian Seasonal Workers
Held in Cooperation with an under the New Zealand RSE
International Peace NGO Work Scheme

Minister for Employment Hon. Jone Usamate with the best RSE Worker Scheme Group from
Wayalailai Yasawa. Photo: DEPTFO.

By ANA SOVA

Commemorative photo of participants after the event. Photo: HWPL PRESS.
By MARIA LAQETA
The inauguration ceremony of Peace Com-
mittee of HWPL visited our shorepreaching
unity of religions to various places around the
world.
Meanwhile, the ceremony of Fiji Peace
Committee ofHWPL was held in Pacific Con-
ference of Churches (PCC) Board Room in
Suva.
Participants had time to discussed the di-
rection of future improvement of peace activi-
ties which will be performed in Fiji shortly.
Present at the event, Father Peter Parlad Ku-
mar, Priest of Anglican Archdiocese of Fiji, was
appointed as Chairperson of Fiji Peace Com-
mittee.
That day, interfaith dialogue meeting under
the topic ‘Discrimination in the name of reli-
gion’ was also celebrating the World Interfaith
Harmony Week(WIHW) designated by the
United Nation.
HWPL operates World Alliance of Religions’
Peace(WARP) Office meetings for dialogue
and harmony among religions, monthly in vari-
ous places of countries around the world.
Father Peter Parlad Kumar, a priest of An-
glican Archdiocese of Fiji and a chairperson
of the Fiji Peace Steering Committee, said that
“scriptures of each religion prohibit religious
discrimination and discrimination caused by
religions in the world is contrary to the teach-
ings of each religious scripture. That’s why they
should be eradicated for world peace.”
The Minister for Employ- and company offices early
ment, Productivity and Indus- last week.
trial Relations, Jone Usamate Pick Hawkes Bay general
has lauded the exemplary manager0, Anthony Rarere
record of the best group of Fi- highlighted that the 18 work-
jian seasonal workers in New ers are the best group in New
Zealand. Zealand because of their pro-
These Fijian workers, who ductivity.
hail from Wayalailai, Yasawa, “The first group from Way-
are employed under the New alailai arrived in 2015 and
Zealand Recognized Sea- we’re very happy with their
sonal Employer (RSE) Worker performance ever since and
Scheme. with that we are looking for-
This commendation by ward to recruit more workers
Minister Usamate comes af- in 2019,” Mr Rarere said.
ter he received praise from Sailasa Wai, 28, of Way-
employers Pick Hawkes Bay alailai said that this is his third
and RJ Flowers, who are the trip to New Zealand and he is
two major Hawkes Bay based already reaping the benefits
apple producers during his received through this labour
tour to the farms, orchards mobility scheme.
THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
“Currently I’m utilising my
carpentry and welding skills
that I gained from Nadave
for this company but I will be
joining other group members
on apple picking when the
season begins in order to earn
more,” he said.
MrWai was able to save
about NZ$12,000 (FJ$17,966)
from his last deployment and
was able to complete the con-
struction of his house in Fiji.
Minister Usamate visited
the Wayalailai Group at their
Hastings-based apple orchard
and was very proud about
their good performance that
has brought recognition to
their families, vanua and to
the whole of Fiji.
5
www.thejetnewspaper.com
President Acknowledges Contribution
of Chinese Community
By ANA SOVA
His Excellency Major Gen-
eral (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote on
behalf of the Government
and people of Fiji, extended
his best wishes for a happy
and prosperous New Year to
the Chinese community dur-
ing the Chinese New Year
celebrations held in Suva last
Sunday.
Speaking to more than a
hundred people who braved
the rain and attended the
celebrations, His Excellency
highlighted that the People’s
Republic of China has been
a very close ally of Fiji since
1997 and has strengthened
even further in the recent de-
cade.
“As a result of expanding
Fiji-China relations, Fiji has,
since then, continued to ex-
perience a surge in growth
opportunities in the areas of
social development, trade
and investment, as well as a
renewed commitment of sup-
port towards Fiji’s stand on
climate change and its aspi-
ration to successfully achieve
Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Iliesa Delana with the Vatunareba Yalobi Youth
club members during the handing over. Photo: MYS.
$2,172,576.35 Indian
Government Assistance
Officials during a discussion at the Fiji Sugar Corporation head quarters at Balawa in Lautoka. Photo: MARIA LAQETA.
6 THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
the targets within the United
Nations Sustainable Develop-
ment Goals or SDGs,” Presi-
dent Konrote said.
“Recognising the Fijian
Government’s infrastructural
development needs in both
our urban and rural sectors,
the People’s Republic of Chi-
na has continued to respond
with viable solutions that have
resulted in real-time benefits
for the people of Fiji.”
President Konrote ac-
knowledged the Government
of the People’s Republic of
China, through its Embassy in
Suva for its diplomacy through
humanitarian assistance, the
most recent being the finan-
cial support extended to the
Fijian Government and the
people of Fiji following the
devastation of Tropical Cy-
clone Winston in 2016.
He also thanked them for
their unwavering support of
the United Nations Climate
Change negotiations and of
Fiji’s presidency of COP23.
His Excellency Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote with performers at the 2018 Chinese New Year celebrations.
Photo: DEPTFO.
Youth Group gets
Timely Boost
By ANA SOVA
Youth groups in Waya vil-
lage on Yasawa Island re-
ceived a timely boost to their
efforts in restoring their gar-
den which was ruined by TC
Winston in 2016
VatunarebaYalobi youth
group was visited by the As-
sistant Minister of Youth and
Sports, Hon. IliesaDelana
where he distributed large
seed packets, garden fencing,
and watering cans.
Assistant Minister Delana
encouraged the youth group
to remain dedicated and
committed even in times of
difficulties.
“I urge you all to persevere
in times of difficulty,” Assistant
Minister Delana said.
“We all are aware of the
devastation caused by TC
Winston, however one should
always remain optimistic and
committed to their goals and
objectives.”
He commended the youth
club for showing resilience in
times of distress and thanked
them in empowering other
young adults in their commu-
By MARIA LAQETA
Ministry of Sugar Industry
through bilateral discussion
with High Commissions of
India to Fiji requested Indian
government to provide assis-
tance to FSC to reduce grow-
ers cost.
Permanent secretary for
Sugar Industry, Yogesh Karan
said the Indian government
provided $2,172,576.35 to pro-
cure agricultural equipment
such as ; three (3) case Har-
vesters, five (5) Tata lorries,
five (5) tractor with 8 different
type of implements for each
tractor.
He said the Indian govern-
ment has also agreed to assist
Fiji for significant railway in-
frastructure development as-
sistance through the Attorney
General official visit to World
Sustainable Development
Summit held in Delhi.
“Experts from India will be
arriving to undertake feasibil-
ity survey in few weeks’ time,”
he added.
Karan said feasibility sur-
vey will not only focus only to
cart the far more cane by rail
to mills but extend it to trans-
port everyday passengers and
cargo which will relieve pres-
sure on Fiji’s Road and funda-
mental to the long term sus-
tainable development.
“With farm mechanization,
the Ministry of Sugar Industry
last year provided 21 coop-
eratives with harvester,” he
added.
“This year Ministry of Sugar
was allocated a $1 million for
Farm Mechanisation where
Ministry of Sugar Industry will
be providing tractor with im-
plements to cooperatives to
www.scribd.com/thejet
nity.
The youth group intends to
grow a wide variety of vegeta-
bles in their garden and hope
to generate income through
sales at local resorts and their
shop in Yalobi village.
Vatunareba Yalobi Youth
Leader, Mesulame “Tai Qi”
Naqitawa commented that
this new batch of seeds and
supplies would help the youth
garden to thrive once again,
as it did before Cyclone Win-
ston.
assist them reduce their pro-
duction costs, he said.
Through Government Loan
Guarantee, he said FSC had
procured 30 tractors with im-
plements which provide op-
portunity for growers to hire
these 30 tractors at cheaper
rate when compared to mar-
ket rate.
Direct assistance to FSC
$30.5m – 2017-2018 Budget
Of the $60 million Budget
allocated to Ministry of Sugar,
$30.5 million direct capital
grant assistance was provid-
ed to FSC to reduce cost for
growers: these capital grant
are:
1. Cane Planting Grant
(CPG) $15.4m
2. Cane Access Road -
$6m
3. Special Payment -
$4m
4. Cane Cartage from
Penang to Rarawai $5.1 mil-
lion
Other Assistance provided
by the Government are:
1. Fertilizer Subsidy -
$15.3 million – Cost of 50Kg
bag is $45.59 – Growers pays
$20 (44%) while Government
pays $25.59 (56%)
2. Weedicide – 55% by
government and 45% by grow-
er (durion, Amine, Glypho-
sate, and valpour King)
3. Small Grant Assis-
tance - $1 m
4. New Farmers assis-
tance of $2m
www.thejetnewspaper.com www.scribd.com/thejet

Tropical Australia SWP

Cyclone Gita: Employer Praises Fijian
Government Government on Fijian
Ready to Workers Performance
Respond
By MARIA LAQETA
Government is ready to
assists communities that will
need immediate assistance
and long-term recovery as
Tropical Cyclone Gita passes
south of Southern Lau and
westward in Fiji waters.
Permanent Secretary for
Rural and Maritime Develop-
ment, Disaster Management,
and Meteorological Services,
Mr. Meleti Bainimarama, said
that in the past several days,
the National Disaster Manage-
ment Office had been closely
monitoring and providing
continuous public advice on
TD07F which then developed
into TC Gita.
“Pro-active measures were
adopted and government
agencies have collaborated to
identify plans of action.
“Today, all Government
Permanent Secretaries, the
heads of our Disciplined Forc-
es, and the diplomatic corps
were respectively briefed on
the operational focus as good
coordination is key to any suc-
cessful response”, Bainimara-
ma said.
“Based on forecasts and
continuous incoming situa-
tion reports from government
officials on the ground, we’ve
highlighted primary risk loca-
tions in Southern Lau.”
Bainimarama, who is also
the National Disaster Control-
ler said, “Once the cyclone
passes and data comes in, we
will then be able to develop
a better situation overview of
damages and needs and re-
veal concrete action plans.”
“Based on these further
assessments, government
will then allocate various re-
sources and assets as part of
the response plan.”

Ministry
on Hand to
Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Hon. Jone Usamate recently met with the seasonal workers
from Bundaberg region, Queensland. Photo: DEPTFO.

Assists
By MARIA LAQETA
The Australia under the
Seasonal Worker Programme
(SWP) praised Fijian em-
lighted that he is extremely programme,” the employer ties for other potential Fijian
happy with the performance added. workers under the program in
of the 10 Fijian workers cur- The Fijian workers also the near future.

Farmers
By MARIA LAQETA
The Ministry of Agriculture
stands ready to assist farmers
in the affected areas.
Permanent Secretary for
Agriculture, David Kolitagane
said the ministry’s focus was
on agricultural affected areas
damaged by Tropical Cyclone
Gita.
will be coordinated accord-
ingly.”
In addition, the permanent
secretary said the support
from the Ministry of Agricul-
ture as part of its response
plans to the agriculture sec-
tor had strategized priorities
which would be coordinated
ployee for their good perfor-
mance.
Meanwhile, the commen-
dation was made by one of
the Australian employer to
the Minister for Employment,
Productivity and Industrial
Relation HonourableJone-
Usamateduring ministerial
visit to the Bundaberg region,
Queensland tour.
Akers Farm managing di-
rector Dean Akers while meet-
ing the Minister expressed his
sincere gratitude and high-
rently employed in his farm.
“I am very appreciative of
the workers’ proper work eth-
ics and discipline. They are
hardworking and very com-
mitted,” Akers said.
“I also wish to acknowl-
edge the Fijian Government
for the stringent selection
process and fitness test con-
ducted to potential workers
in Fiji in ensuring that qual-
ity and best employees are
given the opportunity to work
under the seasonal worker
conveyed their appreciation
to Minister Usamate and ex-
pressed their utmost gratitude
to the Fijian Government for
the opportunity given through
the National Employment
Centre (NEC) to be selected
for employment opportunities
under the SWP.
Minister Usamate remind-
ed the workers on the need to
work hard and maintain prop-
er discipline and work ethics
in order to open doors for
more employment opportuni-
During the same visit the
Minister also met with po-
tential employers who have
shown interest in recruiting
Fijian workers in the 2018
seasons after seeing the Fijian
workers’ excel in other farms.
Meanwhile, Minister Usa-
mate made a courtesy call to
the Mayor of Bundaberg and
has discussed further oppor-
tunities of growing the sea-
sonal worker programme.

Fijian Government Supports FSC

This, he added includes through the National Disaster
anticipated affected maritime Management Office.
islands of Matuku, Totoya, “Included in the response
Moala, Kadavu and smaller plan is the distribution of

with a Grant of FJD2.1 million

islands of Southern Lau. planting materials such as
“It is prudent that farm- cassava and kumala cutting
ers pay close attention to all to affected farmers from the
weather forecasts, warning Extension Division with the

for Farm Equipment Investment

and advisories issued and it
is best to follow precaution-
ary measures,” Mr Kolitagane
said.
“Our officers are on emer-
gency standby and all efforts
assistance of the Research Di-
vision.”
Farmers and members of
the public are further advised
to monitor the weather and
heed advisories.
By MARIA LAQETA

The Fiji Sugar Corpora- Yogesh Karan, Director Sugar

tion (FSC) received a grant of
FJD2.1million from the Gov-
ernment of Fiji following the
signing of Grant Agreement at
the FSC’s head office in Lau-
toka.
Meanwhile, the grant was
made possible through the
close co-operations between
the Governments of Fiji and
India and this signing of the
agreement follows the formal
transfer of grant funding from
the Government of India to
Fiji.
With this grant it will be
utilized for purchasing of
farming equipment, to fulfill
the Government’s objective if
mechanizing the sugar indus-
try.
At the signing ceremony,
representing the Government
of Fiji at the signing ceremony
was the Office of the Prime
Minister and Permanent Sec-
retary for Sugar Industry, Mr
Operations, Mr Sanjay Kumar
and other Ministry of Sugar In-
dustry officials.
Permanent Secretary for
Sugar Industry Yogesh Karan
on behalf of the Fijian Govern-
ment, thanked the Govern-
ment of India for their con-
tinued and valued support to
Fiji’s sugar industry.
“We are indeed grateful to
the Government of India for
its generous support and its (L-R) Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) CEO Graham Clark and
contribution to the efforts in
revitalizing our sugar indus- Permanent Secretary for Sugar Industry Mr Yogesh Karan.
try,” he said. Photo: MARIA LAQETA.
Karan stated this grant will
be invested back into the in- IH A 1000 harvesters, five 9500 FSC equipment to all areas of
dustry in areas such as cane 4WD Mahindra tractors and the cane belt through the FSC
planting and harvesting that forty farming implements. The sector structures.
is crucial for increasing cane order for this equipment is in Farmers will be able to
yields and growth in sugar- the process of being placed. deploy the equipment at pre-
cane production. Items are expected to ar- determined cost-effective
Thus, with the FJD2.1 mil- rive in time to be used in this rates from FSC via a system
lion grant it will be used to year’s planting and harvesting that will be communicated to
purchase five Tata Tipper campaigns, and will be dis- cane farmers before the start
Trucks, three sugar cane Case tributed together with other of the 2018 crushing season.

THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 7

www.thejetnewspaper.com www.scribd.com/thejet

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Venezuelan Opposition to
Boycott ‘Fraudulent’ Election
Democratic Unity move-
ment says conditions lacking
for fair elections, and makes
demands for it to participate.
Venezuela’s opposition
said it will not participate in
“fraudulent and illegitimate”
presidential elections sched-
uled to take place on April 22.
The announcment came
as President Nicolas Mad-
uro called snap legislative
elections in Venezuela on
Wednesday to coincide with
the vote.
In a statement, the opposi-
tion Democratic Unity move-
ment said the “premature”
elections were “lacking prop-
er conditions”.
“[It] is just a show by the
government to give an im-
pression of legitimacy that it
does not have,” it said.
“In the name of the im-
mense majority of Venezu-
elans, we challenge the Mad-
uro government to measure
itself against the people in real
elections.”
Democratic Unity issued
several demands if it were to
WORLD IN BRIEF
participate, including holding
the vote in the second half of
2018 and inviting independent
international observers.
The move means there is
currently only one confirmed
candidate to challenge Mad-
uro, 55. Little-known evan-
gelical pastor Javier Bertucci
announced his candidacy on
Sunday.
Venezuela’s Constituent
Assembly voted to bring presi-
dential elections forward in
late January.
Meanwhile, Maduro called
on Wednesday for snap legis-
lative elections in Venezuela,
proposing to bring them for-
ward by nearly two years to
coincide with the presidential
poll.
He also hit back at the op- Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has accused the op-
position coalition for saying it position of siding with foreign powers. Photo: MARCO BEL-
wouldn’t participate. “We are LO/ REUTERS.
going to the elections come
rain, shine or lightning, with in exile, or barred from hold- for early elections, saying it
or without the MUD,” said ing office. contradicts democratic prin-
Maduro. A coalition of more than a ciples.
The opposition’s most dozen Latin American coun-
popular leaders are almost all tries rejected Venezuela’s call
sidelined from politics - jailed, REUTERS

Billy Graham: Influential US

Evangelist Dies at 99
US evangelist Billy Graham - one of
the most influential preachers of the 20th
Century - has died aged 99.
He died at his home in Montreat,
North Carolina, a spokesman for the Billy
Graham Evangelistic Association said.
In a 60-year career, he is estimated to
have preached to hundreds of millions of
people around the world.
Former presidents are among the
many who have been paying tribute.
President Trump called him “great” and
a “very special man”.
After becoming one of the best-
known promoters of Christianity in the
US, Graham embarked on his global mis-
sion with an event in London in 1954.
Graham reached millions of worship-
pers through TV - the first to use the me-
dium to convey the Christian message on
such a scale.
Young preacher to worldwide phe-
nomenon
Born in 1918 and raised on his fam-
ily’s dairy farm in Charlotte, North Caro-
lina, Billy Graham became a committed
Christian at the age of 16 after hearing a
travelling evangelist.
He was ordained a minister in 1939,
aged 21.
Graham’s public profile was raised in
the United States when he held a two-
month ministry in a giant tent in Los An-
geles in 1949.
His global mission took him to all cor-
ners of the world including Nigeria and
communist North Korea.
An early sermon outside the US took
place before 12,000 worshippers in 1954
in Haringay Arena, London.
At first ambivalent about the civil
rights movement in the US, he became
more sympathetic in the 1950s, preach-
ing to racially integrated congregations. Billy Graham preached to more than 200 million people
BBC NEWS worldwide. Photo: BBC NEWS.

Social Networks may
Lend Legitimacy to
Cryptocurrency Market,
says GlobalData
Despite hogging headlines
everyday the cryptocurrency
market is yet to make much
progress towards becom-
ing a mainstream currency.
However, the foray of social
networks/messaging provid-
ers may give some legitimacy
to this market, says leading
data and analytics company
GlobalData.
With subscriber growth
and active users continuing to
be a cornerstone of monetiza-
tion, social networks/messag-
ing providers are finding that
the traditional road to growth
and revenue is bumpy due to
geographical preferences and
lack of scale compared to a
behemoth like Facebook.
As a result, social net-
works/messaging providers
are embarking on some very
non-traditional strategies
including cryptocurrencies
for revenue and product en-
hancements. They hope that
cryptocurrencies will create
self-sustaining economies
that might even one day ex-
ceed the value of advertising
or value-add services.
In September 2017, Kik
Messenger became the first
mainstream company to an-
nounce plans to raise money
by issuing a cryptocurrency–
KIN–in an initial coin offer-
ing (ICO). It raised nearly
US$100m from accredited in-
vestors and the public.
Cloud-based instant mes-
saging service Telegram has
even more ambitious aspira-
tions than Kik. It wants to use
a payment platform that uses
multi-blockchain architecture
to compete with Mastercard
and Visa. It is reportedly gear-
ing up for its own cryptocur-
rency and could raise as
much as US$500m in the pre-
ICO sale.
Not to be left behind, Face-
book’s Mark Zuckerberg has
also indicated that the com-
pany will research the feasibil-
ity of incorporating cryptocur-
rency into its services. With
more than 2billion monthly
active users, the company
could drive mass adoption of
a cryptocurrency in a big way.
Lynnette Luna, Telecom
Analyst at GlobalData, com-
TECHNOLOGY
ments, “The blockchain,
which cryptocurrencies oper-
ate on, lends itself well to this
type of strategy because the
technology does not require a
third party, such as a bank or
even a social network, to set-
tle the transaction. The block-
chain-steered social network
model allows users to wield
more commercial ownership
of their data and also get paid
directly for their user-generat-
ed contributions.
“It’s a good time for a strat-
egy re-think – the Social Net-
work is trying to go back to
its roots of connecting friends
and family by de-prioritizing
public content and content
from publishers. The key
forboth Kik and Telegram are
to find ways to encourage
their respective ecosystems
to freely spend their curren-
cies rather than hoarding
them for speculative purpos-
es, concludes luna.”
GLOBALDATA
THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 9
www.thejetnewspaper.com
Mohenesh’s Life is his Message
Mohenesh Singh. Photo: SUPPLIED.
Apple Picking Saving
Caters for Flying School
Tuition
By MARIA LAQETA
Fijian seasonal worker
Maria Turagakacivi under the
New Zealand Recognized
Seasonal Employer (RSE)
Worker Scheme has been
investing her apple picking
earnings to finance her flying
school tuition.
This was brought to the
attention of the Minister for
Employment, Productivity and
Industrial Relations, Jone Usa-
mate during his ministerial
visit to Fijian seasonal work-
ers in New Zealand this week.
MsTuragakacivi, who is
originally from Naqali, Naita-
siri explained that it was the
initiative of the Fijian Govern-
ment that has enabled her to
meet her goal and taken her
10 THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
PERSON OF
THE WEEK
closer to making her dream
come true.
“This is my third engage-
ment under the New Zealand
(RSE) Workers Scheme and
my only and foremost reason
here is to work hard and in-
vest more for my dream job,”
Turagakacivi said.
She said the tuition fee for
flying school has increased
from (FJD) $60,000 to (FJD)
$100,000 but this has not put a
stop to my aspiration and I am
very ambitious about achiev-
ing my set goals.
MsTuragakacivi arrived in
New Zealand in November
last year for her third stint
and will be returning to Fiji in
May this year where she will
MOHENESH SINGH
Awarded member of the Order of Fiji
medal
The best way to find you is
to lose yourself in the service
of others.
These were the words of
Mohenesh Singh, Member
of the Order of Fiji, Justice of
the Peace of Fiji and who has
been honoured as a rare indi-
vidual and a role model to the
society.
Singh joined Fiji National
University in 2013 and was a
student in Higher education
program in Early Childhood
Education.
After graduating from FNU
in 2014 Singh has made lots of
difference in his community
where ever he has been. This
was due to all his knowledge
that he acquired in FNU.
An energetic multi –tal-
ented Singh enjoys contribut-
ing his professional service to
promote and support youth
development and children
with disability in today’s
multi- cultural and multi – reli-
gious society.
During the 2014 youth par-
liament forum Singh was one
of the youth who had been se-
lected to sit in the parliamen-
tary sittings for two weeks.
“This was one of the best
moments of my life as I was
sitting in the country’s highest
office,” said Singh.
“I was very vocal on youth
issues and empowerment of
youths and this experience
has given me lots of knowl-
edge of how laws are being
made and how big discussion
are been made by the state
leaders.
In 2015, Singh received
“Outstanding FNU Alumni
Award” during FNU Alumni
Award function. The presti-
gious award was presented
by Hon. Prime Minister of Fiji.
Mohenesh Singh (far right) receives an award for Outstanding FNU Alumni from Hon. Prime
Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Photo: SUPPLIED.
be continuing with her flying
school studies.
She is employed by R&J
Flowers which is the biggest
apple producing company in
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.
Minister Usamate thanked
MsTuragakacivi for the effort
she was putting in to meet her
goals and encouraged her to
continue working hard to pur-
sue her dreams.
During the week-long visit,
the team visited other areas
including Queenstown, Blen-
heim, Alexandra and will also
hold talanoa sessions with Fi-
jian communities in Welling-
ton and Auckland.
Minister for Employment Productivity and Industrial Relations Hon. Jone Usamate with Fi-
jian Seasonal Worker Maria Turagakacivi. Photo: DEPTFO.
This was one of the histori-
cal achievements of Singh as
he was the youngest award
recipient in the function.
Singh says he has sup-
ported many youth when they
have issues and other family
matters.
Through counselling he
has also helped many Fijians
during his community aware-
ness programs.
He believed that to be-
come a good counsellor peo-
ple should not be judgmental
but treat every client as hu-
man being.
Singh was also engaged
with National Substance
Abuse Advisory council for
year 2014 and 2015.
His commitment and ser-
vice for the department has
earned him most outstand-
ing performance award of the
year for both years.
Singh believed that peo-
ple must be the change they
wished to see in the world.
His commitment to serve
the needy and poor has al-
ways kept him in talks.
He was awarded with
Member of the Order of Fiji
Medal from his Excellency
the president of Fiji, an award
which is earned after so many
years of service. The Order of
Fiji is the highest honour of
the Fijian honours system.
Having this Mr Singh was
more famous among his peer
group and stand as a role
model to many friends and
professionals.
Singh says that he has al-
ways faith in his work and he
knew that one day his work
will be recognised by his
people.
In December 2015 Singh
grabbed another award from
www.scribd.com/thejet
UNDP for community sector
development. This was also
in recognition of his contribu-
tion in supporting his commu-
nity.
Singh strongly believes that
we don’t need to hold a post
in order to support people or
make difference in the soci-
ety.
We all are leaders with in
our self and we all can make
difference as individuals.
No nation can do without
empowering their youths.
This is so because the youths
of today are future of tomor-
row said Singh.
“Empowering the youths is
like saving in bank that can-
not be affected by any theft
of any kind. Every individual
is a leader within own self.
You have to identify your own
talent and worked hard to-
wards it.
Singh says that he is focus
to bring a change and be-
come a strong advocate for
youths of our country. He says
that today’s youths needs lots
of guidance and empower-
ments to keep them on right
track and become critical
thinkers.
Teacher by profession
Singh proudly says that he
has dedicated his life to serve
children with disability. He
stands high in teaching pro-
fession with his member of
the order medal.
Singh is also serving in one
of the biggest Hindu religious
Organisation Shri Sanatan
Dharam Pratanidhi Sabha of
Fiji as National Youth Secre-
tary and Justice of the Peace.
MOHENESH SINGH
www.thejetnewspaper.com
Radha’s-Best
Tailor in Town
Radha Mani aged 56years old of Luvu settlement in Lautoka. Photo: MARIA LAQETA.
By MARIA LAQETA
Sewing for a living and
providing food on the table is
a tough task for anyone who
has to take that responsibility.
Those were the words of
Radha Mani aged 56years old
of Luvu settlement in Lauto-
ka. She is married to Munsami
and have fivesiblings together.
Radha been married for 35
years and often fantasized she
would start her own business
one day.
“I grew up from a hard-
working family whereby my
father is a vegetable farmer
andmy mother worked full-
time at the laundry wash-
house whereby ironing and
washing of clothes are pre-
pared,” she added.
Look back to how she
was brought up, makes her a
strong persontoday.
Her journey started in 1980
whereby she met her hus-
band who had his own Uphol-
stered business specialized
in repairingfurniture’s such
as couch, sofa, or settee and
benches.
While her husband worked
as such, Radha worked at the
Treekams Garment factory
and both earned enough for
their young family in those
days.
Her journey continues and
later on her five children were
born and well looked after un-
til they are old enough to live
independently.
In 2010, her journey be-
Clothes displayed sewed by Radha’s Tailoring at Lautoka City. Photo: MARIA LAQETA.
gins, Radha was introduced
to a Christian faith through a
pastor near to her house in
Lautoka.
It was this particular day,
she started to experiencing
people approaching her shar-
ing about God and later she
was convinced and decided
to convert to that faith with no
regret.
She believed after receiv-
ing Christ as king and savior
of her family, she started to
experienced true happiness
and joy even good fortune
started to be experienced in
the family.
“My children managed to
excel in life and managed to
get a job, my eldest daugh-
ter had gone as to Auckland,
New Zealand,” she smiled.
After 34 years working at
the Garment factory, Radha
managed to gain experienced
and able to absorbed good
sewing skills.
In 2015, she decided to quit
her work and stayed home to
lookafter her family.
Her dream to become her
own boss and own business
came flourished in the follow-
ing year after deciding to start
a sewing business.
“It was a struggle moment
those days but through the
support of my late husband
and my children it made me
through,” he said.
With three years spent
with her own sewing business
in hand, well known Radha’s
Tailoring located in the midst
of Lautoka city with no doubt
her services to customers
is the best in town in terms
of sewing shirt, dress, and
blouse and jaba right in time
compared to other tailors.
“Cost of clothes I sewed
ranges from $10 to $20 dollars
and my customers are from
Outer islands in the Yasawa
and other nearby towns in the
western division,” she added.
From January to February
its relaxed period to Radha
because she had few custom-
ers compared from March to
December it’s during Diwali
and festival season she expe-
rienced a lot of customers.
“Withfew customers I
managed to earn $100 to $200
per month compared to fes-
tive seasons iearned a lot,”
she added.
With the money she
earned it was enough to pay
her rent, electricity and water
bills and as well sole-parent in
providing food for the family.
She planned to expand
her business to another level
by hiring more people to her
tailor business in order to in-
crease profit.
Radha advised people to
learn new things in life and
try get educated in order to
upsurge knowledge and skills
for better future.
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LAUTOKA CAMPUS
CONTINUINING AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION (CCE)
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR 2018
• Invest in Training and see your career flourish
• Attend training on Flexible Delivery Arrangements close to your workplace
• Earn a widely recognised qualification within a short time
• Pay your fees through FNPF eligibility
• Enhance your employability skills
• Improve your marketability and earning power
• Get trained in Caregiver and support your loved ones
• Develop a firm IT foundation and use it as a productive tool
Your Expressions of Interests will help us schedule deliveries in all the towns of the Western Division
and establish our contact base.
Programme Target Group Duration Fees
Caregiver Fundamentals Homecare workers or those pursuing a career 7-9 weeks $900
in caregiving/ alternative employment here
or abroad
CISCO: 1-4 Those employed or aspiring a career in 10 weeks $900
(Saturday/Evening class) networking Per stage
Certificate II in Professional Those in workplace wishing to refine their 8 weeks $1100
Development Training (PDT) personal and work skills
Certificate IV in Workplace Those appointed or getting ready for 8 weeks $1350
Leadership Training (WLT) leadership positions
Trainer the Trainer (ToT) Suitable for teachers, Government workers, 10 hours per $220 per
private sector, community workers stage stage
Certificate II in IT (Beginners) Students and adults. Those wishing to use 48 hours $800
computer skills in the workplace/study
effectively
(Special Offer available for School Students)
MYOB People using MYOB. Those wishing to 2 days per $250 per
acquire MYOB skills to add value to CV and stage stage
employability
OHS Modules 1&2 OHS Committee reps, Employers and 3 days $320
OHS 3&4 individuals 2 days $240
Short Training courses in We have over 80 short training courses 1-2 days TBA
soft skills covering a range of soft skills and can be
delivered
We will reach out and deliver in your community
Please contact Babita Sharma, tel: 6666800; fax: 6667133 or email: Babita.sharma@usp.ac.fj
TOWARDS EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE CREATION
LAUTOKA CAMPUS
CISCO NETWORK ACADEMY
Expression of Interest for Enrolling in
2018 CCNA Routing & Switching Course
CCNA Routing and Switching teaches comprehensive networking concepts, from network
applications to the protocols and services provided to those applications by the lower layers
of the network. Students will progress from basic networking to more complex enterprise and
theoretical networking models later in the curriculum.
Target Group: This specialised training is suitable for fulfilling the career aspirations of those
either employed or seeking a career in networking in a competitive environment during this
era of rapid technological advancement.
Module Key Concepts Start Date End Date Weeks
CCNA-1 Introduces the architecture, structure, functions, February April 10 weeks
Introduction to components, and models of the Internet
Networks and computer networks. The principles of
IP addressing and fundamentals of Ethernet
concepts, media, and operations are introduced to
provide a foundation for the curriculum.
CCNA-2 Troubleshoot routers and switches and resolve April June 10 Weeks
Routing & Switching common issues with RIPv1, RIPv2, single-area and
Essentials multi-area OSPF, virtual LANs, and inter-VLAN
routing in both IPv4 and IPv6 networks.
CCNA-3 Describes the architecture, components, and July September 10 weeks
Scaling Networks Networks
operations of routers and switches in a large and
complex network
CCNA-4 Discusses the WAN technologies and network. October December 10 weeks
Connecting Networks Students also develop the
knowledge and skills needed to implement IPSec
and virtual private network (VPN) operations in a
complex network services required by converged
applications in
a complex network
Venue: USP Lautoka Campus, Two Evenings per week 5pm-8pm; Fees: $900 per module
Placement: Only 20 places are available so it will be offered on first come-first served basis.
To obtain enrolment form and for further information, contact: Babita Sharma,
email: Babita.Sharma@usp.ac.fj or enquire at the USP Lautoka Campus,
Western House, Lautoka
TOWARDS EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE CREATION
THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 11
www.thejetnewspaper.com www.scribd.com/thejet

UN Human Rights Commissioner

Shares View on Pacific Challenges
By MARIA LAQETA
The University of the South Pacific
(USP) Pacific tradition and culture were
acknowledged at Laucala campus, Suva.
United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights Mr Zeid Ra’ad Al Hus-
sein praisedthe idea of preserving the
Pacific tradition and cultureduring the
public lecture.
Professor Rajesh Chandra, Vice-Chan-
cellor and President of USP welcomed Mr
Hussein to the Laucala Campus,saying it
was an honour and a privilege to be able
to host such a respected individual.
Titled, Navigating new challenges
with the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, Mr Hussein warned of challenges
that will be faced by this generation in-
cludingclimate change.
“Climate change is an inescapable re-
ality exacerbated by the extreme weath-
er events which has been occurring in
many Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in
recent years causing loss of life and dam-
age to livelihood on an unprecedented
scale,” he said.
Mr Hussein said the impact of Tropi-
cal Cyclone Winston remains enormous,
“and you will face the risk of losing hab-
itable land and homes, salinisation of
fresh water resources and other kinds of
related risks that can drive massive dis-
placement.
He mentioned that rising sea levels
have threatened the very existence of
some islands and nations in the Pacific
where extraordinary resilience and cul-
tures are common.
“PICs have almost no involvement of
generating climate change, they did not
contribute significantly to the process of
industrialisation,” he said.
He noted that PICs have contributed
very little to global greenhouse gas emis-
sions and its future depends on the ac-
tion taken by other states, particularly
those with jurisdictional control of major
fossil fuel polluters.
“Under international human rights law
all states have an obligation to cooperate
with one another and take measures to
ensure the rights of all are protected.
These obligations of international co-
operation and assistance are particu-
larly important in the context of climate
change,” he noted.
According to Mr Hussein, the Pacific
Islands have taken a markedly positive
stance towards human rights laws and
principles.
Many states he said, have ratified core
international rights and treaties particu-
larly the Conventions of the Rights of the
Child and the Convention of the Rights of
persons with Disabilities.
“In Fiji, Nauru, Samoa and Vanuatu,
work is underway to train judges and
police officers on human right law,” he
noted.
“I hope you will enable human rights
law to inspire a number of reforms and
that you will respect and honour one an-
other, and work for the common good of
everyone because every human being is
valuable.”
Furthermore, Mr Hussein mentioned
he is “particularly glad to observe a grow-
ing openness across the region to the
voices of civil society”.
“Herein lies great hope and it is es-
sential that everyone in society feels en-
gaged and have a voice for the common
good,” he added.
The audience was also reassured that
the Office of the UN Human Rights Com-
missioner would do everything possible
to assist Fiji in the fight for justice not only
at a national level but internationally as
well.
“We can assist in advocating and Professor Rajesh Chandra, USP Vice-Chancellor and Presi-
monitoring meaningful implementation,
working with government officials and dent with United Nations High Commissioner for Human
civil societies, including youth groups,” Rights Mr Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein during the public lecture
Mr Hussein said. hosted by USP. Photo: USP.

Females Dominate Medical School

By MARIA LAQETA
The Fiji National Univer-
sity, College of Medicine,
Nursing and Health Sciences
(CMNHS) has increase in fe-
male students entering its
programmes.
CMNHS Dean, Dr William
May said historically the in-
stitution has been very male
dominant.
“But in the last 10 years
statistically we have noted
that females are now more
compared to male students,”
he said.
Dr May said last year 70 per
Riyashni Chand. Photo: FNU. cent of the graduates were fe-
males out of the 618 students
that graduated.
“So more females are en-
rolling and more females are
also completing their stud-
ies,” he said.
The College enrolls more
than 2500 students per year.
“Our programmes have
been very competitive year
in year out. We are limited by
places not only in the college
but also in the hospital and
the environment where you
will work,” he said.
Riyashni Chand enrolled
for Bachelor of Oral Health
said her parents always mo-
tivated her to do well in high
school.
Chand who is from Vutuni
Ba said she was excited to be
enrolled for the Oral Health
programme.
“Becoming a dentist has
been my dream since I was in
primary school,” she said.
The ex-Xavier College stu-
dent said more female num-
bers at CMNHS means girls
are working hard and getting
good marks.

42 Unemployed
Youth Receive
Training
By LITIA TIKOMAILEPANONI
Forty-two unemployed
youths from Lautoka received
training from the University
of the South Pacific, Lautoka
campus.
The eight weeks Office As-
sistance Training programme
will now equip the youths for
new job markets.
The Youth Employment
Network (YEN) training pro-
gramme was a partnership
between the LautokaCam-
pus, Foundation for Rural In-
tegrated Enterprise and De-
velopment (FRIEND).
The participants were fully
funded by OXFAM Fiji.
USP Lautoka Campus Di-
rector Dr Premika Devi said
the training is of huge advan-
tage to the students.
“USP Lautoka will conduct
the assessment and monitor-
ing while the youths are at-
tached with FRIEND and we
will provide certification upon
successful completion,” Dr
Devi said.
“This training will provide
a second chance to unem-
ployed youth to get skills and
experience job attachment
and eventually find a job.
The Youth Employment
Network (YEN) training pro-
gramme was a result of the
partnership between the Lau-
tokaCampus, Foundation for
Rural Integrated Enterprise
and Development (FRIEND)
and the participants were fully
funded by OXFAM Fiji.
The aim of the training pro-
gramme was to provide an
opportunity to unemployed
youths to upskill themselves
to enable them to secure de-
cent employment.
The soft skills and informa-
tion technology (IT) skills pro-
vided to the youths during the Dr Pramila Devi,Lautoka Campus Director(front row,middle) with participants of the youth Employment Network(YEN)train-
training included personnel ing programme. Photo: SUPPLIED.
management skills, commu-
nication skills, writing reports vice skills, job seeking skills, assistant, office ethics, inven- management, fundamentals net and email and electronic
and proposals, customer ser- administrative skills for office tory management, records of IT, word processing, inter- spreadsheets.

12 THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

www.thejetnewspaper.com
ANZ FETA Honours Trio with Lifetime
Achievement Award
The ANZ Fiji Excellence in
Tourism Awards (FETA) has
for the first time honoured
not one but three individuals
with the prestigious Lifetime
Achievement Award during
the 21st ANZ FETA at the De-
narau Convention Centre to-
night.
Captain Matereti Tuisue,
Jenny Seeto and Patrick Wong
have been awarded the pres-
tigious Lifetime Achievement
Award while the late Tu-
iLawaRatuSevanaiaVatunitu
was also remembered and
honoured with the Visionary
Award.
Prime Minister and Chief
Guest Voreqe Bainimara-
ma presented the Lifetime
Achievement Awards to the
three recipients on the night
the tourism industry came
together to celebrate their
achievements and excel-
lence.
“This year we are not
giving a Lifetime Achieve-
ment Award. We are giving
three Lifetime Achievement
Awards! They are for three
special individuals Captain
Tuisue, Jenny Seeto and Pat-
rick Wong. All of whom have
made significant contribu-
tions towards not only the
tourism industry but the coun-
try as a whole,” Chair of the
Board of Trustees Bill Whiting
said.
“We also remember the
www.scribd.com/thejet
SUPPLEMENT
ANZ FIJI EXCELLENCE
IN TOURISM AWARDS
late TuiLawaRatuSevanaia-
Vatunitu for his contributions
to the tourism industry. Ra-
tuSevanaia is dearly missed
and we honour him with the
Visionary Award. An open
minded chief who in 2013 de-
clared hoteliers and tourists in
Malolo as the sixth Yavusa of
Lawa.”
The first ever Hall of Fame
award was given to Likuliku
Lagoon Resort who had been
winning Accommodation
Luxury for five years in a row
since 2012.
Rosie Holidays also
scooped Destination Market-
ing for the second year in a
row to add to their spoils.
First time entrants, Fla-
vours of Fiji Cooking School
bagged two awards winning
the Visitor Attraction and Ac-
tivity and the new Culinary
Services award. From left: Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, with the lifetime award winners Patrick Wong, former Air Pacific (now Fiji Air-
The other new category in-
troduced this year is the Spe- ways) chief pilot Captain MateretiTuisue, Jenny Seeto and Trustee Craig Powell during the 2017 ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism
cialised Tourism Services and Awards at the Denarau Convention Centre in Denarau, Nadi, on February 17, 2018. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA.
Support to Industry which has ries introduced by ANZ FETA won the Accommodation De- and Transport Operators: Tour Quality: Volivoli Beach Re-
been won by Essence of Fiji. to motivate local talent. luxe while Intercontinental Managers,Visitor Attraction sort, Accommodation Deluxe:
Sigatoka River Safari’s Jay Other winners on the night Fiji Golf Resort and Spa won and Activity: Flavours of Fiji Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort,
Whyte and JosuaRatukuna were Tour Managers in the the Accommodation Luxury Cooking School, Specialised Accommodation Luxury: In-
were winners in the individ- Tour and Transport Operators award. Tourism Services and Sup- tercontinental Fiji Golf Resort
ual category. Whyte is ANZ category and Nanuya Island 2017 ANZ FETA Winners port to Industry: Essence of and Spa, Hall of Fame Award:
FETA’s 2017 Tourism Industry Resort won the Tourism Sus- List: Fiji Pride Champion: Fiji,Tourism Sustainability: Likuliku Lagoon Resort, Vi-
Leader while Ratukuna is the tainability award. Vuda Marina Josua Ratukuna (Sigato- Nanuya Island Resort, Culi- sionary Award: Late TuiLawa,
Fiji Pride Champion. took out the Accommodation ka River Safari), Emerging nary Services: Flavours of Fiji Ratu Sevanaia Vatunitu, Life-
Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa’s Budget award, Accommoda- Tourism Leader: Abhinesh Cooking School, Destination time Achievement Award:
Executive Sous Chef Abhinesh tion Quality went to Volivoli Sharma (Sofitel),Tourism In- Marketing: Rosie Holidays, Ac- Jenny Seeto, Captain Matereti
Sharma is the Emerging Tour- Beach Resort and Outrigger dustry Leader: Jay Whyte commodation Budget: Vuda Tuisue and Patrick Wong.
ism Leader in of the catego- Fiji Beach Resort has again (Sigatoka River Safari), Tour Marina, Accommodation AFL
THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 13
www.thejetnewspaper.com
21st Annual ANZ Fiji Excellence
in Tourism Awards
By MARIA LAQETA
The 21st ANZ Fiji Excellence in
Tourism Awards is the award given
to the most outstanding perfor-
mance of those who have made ex-
ceptional contributions to our tour-
ism industry.
Tourism is such a vast and diverse
industry with the ANZ FETA awards
on board, such a good opportunity
for key tourism stakeholders to par-
ticipate in categories viable for them.
The Prime Minister of Fiji and Min-
ister for iTaukei Affairs, Sugar Indus-
try and Foreign Affairs Hon. Josaia
Voreqe Bainimarama was the chief
guests of the 21st annual ANZ Fiji Ex-
cellence in Tourism awards.
“2017 marked the best year ever
for tourism in Fiji, with 842,884 visi-
tors coming to our shores-- an im-
pressive 6.4 per cent increase from
2016, which held the previous re-
cord,” he said.
“We also saw the most-ever visi-
tors coming from both the United
States and New Zealand and it’s in-
ANZ FETA AWARDS IN PICTURES
14 THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
teresting to see that, in numbers, our
tourism arrivals now nearly equal
the entire population of Fiji-- which,
by 2017’s census count, stands at
884,887,” he added.
This increased demand he said is
being met with the need to increase
supply, which also means new jobs,
sustained jobs, new investment op-
portunities and the need to be re-
sponsive to emerging trends in the
market.
Mr Bainimarama said the achiev-
ing record numbers of foreign visitors
and attracting multi-million-dollar re-
sorts is an accomplishment and with
every new resort that announces
plans to invest in Fiji, all Fijians feel
a sense of pride.
“We all cheer with each new
opening because we have seen first-
hand the benefits of these resorts in
the form of economic impact and
while the resorts themselves are
something to be proud of, my real
pride comes with each Fijian job
created, and with each Fijian fam-
ily’s standard of living that is raised,”
he stated.
“My real pride comes from the
tens of thousands of hard-working
Fijians whose livelihoods are directly
and indirectly tied to tourism. The
tour guides, the maids, the nannies,
the cooks, the groundskeepers, the
farmers, the fishermen, the sales as-
sistants, the taxi drivers, the crafts-
men and craftswomen, the waiters
and waitresses. These are the peo-
ple in my thoughts every day. This is
my driving passion-- the betterment
of every Fijian woman, child, man
and our youth. And I thank those of
you in this room for your role in help-
ing lift up so many Fijian families by
advancing our strong and growing
tourism industry.”
He said tourism is already the
largest single contributor to our GDP
and everyone must not sit on their
laurels, as so much of potential re-
mains untapped.
Bainimarama’s government is
dedicated to finding new and inno-
vative ways together in order to con-
tinue to grow Fiji’s tourism industry
in a sustained manner.
“This is why we assembled the Fi-
jian Tourism 2021 development plan,
which complements our National
Development Plans, the tourism de-
velopment plan sets out priority ar-
eas that will strategically bolster our
tourism industry in a way that allows
the most Fijians to see the most ben-
efit,” he said.
“Government is steadfastly dedi-
cated to bringing all Fijians into the
fold, and now more than ever, that
dedication is targeted at the tourism
industry and is dedicated to spread-
ing the good benefits of a tourism-
based economy to other parts of
Fiji that do not directly benefit from
traditional mainland tourist arrivals.”
“We are also broadening our ap-
proach by looking at news ways of
providing support to micro, small,
www.scribd.com/thejet
and medium-sized tourism opera-
tors throughout our maritime and
rural regions. By helping provide
these potential operators with the
tools and technologies to succeed,
improving access to water and sew-
age treatment, and laying the proper
infrastructure, we are creating the
foundation that will allow more re-
sorts of all sizes to attract more tour-
ists to more remote parts of Fiji than
ever before.”
“Our plans will also allow us to
strategically identify ways to remove
as many barriers and inconvenienc-
es as possible.”
The Prime minister congratulates
the award winners and nominees
and as well thanking ANZ and other
sponsors for their continued commit-
ment to this vital industry.The theme
of this year’s Excellence in Tourism
Awards, “Sustaining Our Resources”.
www.thejetnewspaper.com www.scribd.com/thejet

WE’D LIKE TO

CONGR ATUL ATE YOU

On behalf of ANZ, we would like to thank all the entrants in the recent 2017 Fiji Excellence
in Tourism Awards. We appreciate that all of your efforts benefit Fiji both economically with
the employment created from your business activity. For those whose achievements were
recognized with an award, we appreciate your great vision, tenacity and energy and we
offer our warmest congratulations. We are proud to be associated with you all.

Fiji Pride Champion: Josua Ratukuna (Sigatoka River Safari)

Emerging Tourism Leader: Abhinesh Sharma (Sofitel Fiji)

Tourism Industry Leader: Jay Whyte (Sigatoka River Safari)

Tour and Transport Operators: Tour Managers

Visitor Attraction and Activity: Flavours of Fiji Cooking School

Specialised Tourism Services Essence of Fiji

and Support to Industry:

Tourism Sustainability: Nanuya Island Resort

Culinary Services: Flavours of Fiji Cooking School

Destination Marketing: Rosie Holidays

Accommodation Budget: Vuda Marina

Accommodation Quality: Volivoli Beach Resort

Accommodation Deluxe: Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort

Accommodation Luxury: Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa

Hall of Fame Award: Likuliku Lagoon Resort

Visionary Award: Late Tui Lawa, Ratu Sevanaia Vatunitu

Lifetime Achievement Award: Jenny Seeto, Captain Matereti Tuisue

and Patrick Wong

Congratulations to all our entrants and we wish you every success in the future!

anz.com/fiji
© Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Fiji Branch.

THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 15

www.thejetnewspaper.com
Rare Estate Listed The Threat of Wire
Fraud Is Real
As the garden island’s tour-
ism hub, Matei has long been
Taveuni Island’s most coveted
area for home owners seek-
ing scenic surroundings and
proximity to the local airport.
And after a spell of blank
listings on its residential block,
a waterfront lot has finally
hit the market through Noble
Realty, which has presented
the Vale Todra estate for pro-
spective investors wanting a
slice on the shores of a diving
haven.
“Vale Todra represents an
extremely rare opportunity
for homeowners or develop-
ers to acquire one of the pre-
eminent locations in the Matei
region of Taveuni,” noted the
real estate agency director,
Stephen Noble.
He said the estate spreads
over 5.6 acres of private,
peaceful oceanfront in the
heart of Matei, making it ide-
al for a customized tropical
home or in the future, as a
high-end boutique hotel.
“With its wide expanse
of gently sloped lawn this re-
markable oceanfront parcel
offers breath-taking views of
Aerial view of Natadola land estate. Photo: FNPF.
16 THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
the azure blue South Pacific
waters and has completely
unobstructed views of the
world famous Somosomo
Strait. The Somosomo Strait
separates Taveuni and Vanua
Levu and is world renowned
for its soft colourful corals.
The strait has almost single-
handedly earned Fiji its title as
the “Soft Coral Capital of the
World”.
Noble confirmed that the
property has already been
cleared and that water lines
had been installed, with the
sea breezes enhance the par-
cel’s appeal.
He also noted that the es-
tate already has a few select
dwellings built on it, making it
exempt from legislations that
require foreign owners of va-
cant residential land to com-
plete construction within two
years of purchase.
“The existing structures are
simple, and you could tempo-
rarily live in one of them as
you oversee the construction
of your new dream home or
boutique resort hotel.”
The realtor noted that the
property could also be sub-
divided or possibly used as a
resort property, with 5.6 acres
and hundreds of feet of beach
frontage.
“The fertile natural abun-
dance at Vale Todra is clearly
evident upon entering the
grounds. Step into a world
unto itself that clearly evokes
a powerful sense of place.
Lava rocks, decades old, San-
dalwood, mango, kavika (rose
apple), carambola, tangerine,
lime, pawpaw, soursop, Fiji
Palm, ginger, hibiscus, and
red palm adorn this exquisite
landscape.
Vale Todra overlooks the
Somosomo Straight and the
South Pacific playground be-
yond; net fishermen, skim-
ming Kite surfer’s, and wa-
ter enthusiasts of all kinds
provide provocative imagery
plying the crystalline azure
waters.”
This is the first-time for
the property to be listed on
the real estate market. It
has an asking price of USD
$995,000,000.
PROPERTY.COM
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
NATADOLA LAND ESTATE
Help buyers avoid falling victim to a growing
real estate scam that dupes them into giving
their purchase money to hackers.
When NAR General Counsel Katie John-
son asked a group of real estate professionals
whether they or someone they knew had cli-
ents that were victims of wire fraud, more than
one-third of the audience at the Idea Exchange
Council for Brokers raised their hands.
Johnson laid out the top legal friction points
currently facing practitioners during the REAL-
TORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in
Washington, D.C. last week. Wire fraud topped
the list as a sophisticated scam causing con-
sumers to lose millions of dollars each year.
Hackers are gaining access to e-mail ac-
counts through captured passwords, and
they’ll search inboxes for messages related to
real estate transactions, Johnson said. Once
they find a victim who’s in the process of buy-
ing a home, they’ll send a spoof e-mail that
looks like it’s from their agent, title representa-
tive, or attorney, and it will say there are “new”
wiring instructions, which includes a fraudu-
lent account. The home buyer will then unwit-
tingly wire funds directly into the hacker’s ac-
count, Johnson said.
“Once they send it, the money is gone,” she
added. “Millions of dollars are lost on this.”
Jessica Edgerton, NAR associate counsel,
presented suggestions during the Professional
Standards Forum & Committee Meeting to help
clients avoid falling victim to wire fraud. “The
more we raise awareness of these scams, the
more red flags consumers will recognize,” Edg-
erton says.
Here are six tips for keeping the transaction
Natadola Gated Community
Reduces Land Price
The reduction in the land price at Natadola
Land Estate to $350,000 (VEP) per lot has at-
tracted a lot of interest from
local buyers.
The developers, Natadola Bay Resort Lim-
ited (NBRL), is confident that more lots will be
sold by mid next year.
The Estate’s sales team have confirmed that
within days of the announcement of the price
reduction, buyers have
expressed a strong interest in the offer, with
eleven (11) lots being sold.
A model home is currently being construct-
ed on the site to provide interested buyers with
a virtual feel of the estate.
It is expected that this model home will en-
courage more investors to purchase lots.
NBRL had emphasized that an important
feature of the estate is that it will be a gated
community, with 24 hour
security.
This ensures the safety, security and privacy
of the home owners which is paramount to
NBRL. The gated community
will also enable homeowners to live freely
within their own homes compared with the
standard community.
Along with that, gated communities create
a scarcity effect, with few homes within these
neighborhoods typically
www.scribd.com/thejet
secure:
1. Build a standard warning about wire
scams into your e-mail signature or include a
disclaimer at the bottom of your e-mails that
says you will not discuss personal financial in-
formation over e-mail.
2. At the beginning of every transaction, tell
clients what your communication practices
are.
3. If you or your agents do engage in a wire
transfer with a client, call them on the phone
immediately prior to the transfer of funds so
they know they’re sending money to the legiti-
mate source.
4. You and your clients should avoid free Wi-
Fi with no firewall to protect against hackers
capturing an e-mail password or other sensi-
tive information.
5. Always use strong passwords and change
them regularly; advise your clients to do the
same. It also wouldn’t hurt for your client to
change their password before wire instruc-
tions are sent.
6. Brokers should consider employing a
staff person who’s responsible for monitoring,
updating, and implementing information secu-
rity systems and procedures at your company.
“We can implement every technical safe-
guard we can think of, but if our people [agents
and staff] aren’t following protocol, it’s like
leaving the door to the citadel wide open,”
Edgerton says.
The video below will also help educate your
clients on the threat of wire fraud. Feel free to
embed this video on your website or share it
with your clients via e-mail or on social media.
REALTORMAG
available for sale at the same time, adding
more bite to the value.
All buyers of the sold lots are now working
on their structural plans and since NBRL has
established building
guidelines, all plans are to be submitted for
vetting prior to any construction.
This guideline is to ensure that each home
is compliant to the Fiji standards and also
structurally intact to withstand
cyclones.
Another positive aspect is a higher standard
of home quality, and stricter building codes
that promote uniformity in
design. That means more comparable sales
and better value for all the homeowners within
the community.
Meanwhile buyers can have a choice and
benefit from land purchase, build a luxury
home and even lease it out to
nearby resorts or business houses for week-
end, holiday homes or executive residents.
Buyers will enjoy a rent free offering as they
will not be paying lease rental for 99 years.
Interested buyers can visit the Natadola
Land Estates website on www.natadolabeach.
com.fj for more information.
FNPF
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Jacks of Fiji Sports Store Grand Opening

By MARIA LAQETA
People from all walks of
life crowded in atJack’s of Fiji,
Lautoka branch, for the grand
opening of its flagship sports
shop.
Located on the main
street Lautoka City, the new
Jack’s Sports shop offered
an expanded assortment of
products from local sporting
brand, QAQA, internationally
renowned Adidas and Sfida,
Australia’s most affordable
and durable footwear brand,
all in one location and un-
der the same roof creating a
unique and exciting shopping
experience.
QAQA, Adidas and Sfida
brand lines are all exclusively
available at Jack’s of Fiji.
Customers will now have
regular access to quality
products such as sneakers,
fitness apparel, gym accesso-
ries, footballs and many more
sports products that are com-
petitively priced.
Jack’s Group of Compani-
esCEO, Bhavin Khatri was ex-
cited to offer Lautoka a great
location for sportswear with
the Jack’s Sports Store.
“The store carries an as-
sortment of sports and out-
door apparel, equipment and
accessories and will become
a real destination for athletes
and outdoors enthusiasts in
the local community,” he
added.
Several guests were pres-
ent for the opening, notably
the Nadi Aviators Rugby Team
as chief guests for the opening
ceremony. QAQA is the appar-
el sponsor for their upcoming
tour to Papua New Guinea
later this month.
Shoppers also took advan-
tage of the deals that were of-
fered during opening. Customers inside the newly opened Jacks of Fiji sports outlet in Lautoka. Photo: MARGARET NAQIRI.

Ten Companies Awarded

for Growth and
Accomplishments
By ANA SOVA

His Excellency the Presi-
dent Major General (Ret’d)
Jioji Konusi Konrote awarded
10 Fijian companies for their
growth and accomplish-
ments at the Fiji Development
Bank’s 2017 National Awards
for Small and Medium Enter-
prises on 9 February.
President Konrote, who
was the chief guest at the
awards held at Grand Pacific
Hotel highlighted that the
His Excellency the President Major General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote and Fiji Development small and medium entrepre-
Bank Board Director Mr. Inia Naiyaga (sitting) with Award winners. Photo: DEPTFO. neurs or SMEs of this country
are the engines of our econo-
my.
“The income you generate
from your businesses and the
jobs you create contribute to
the economic development of
our nation. You certainly con-
tribute to rural development,
poverty alleviation, empower-
ment of our youths and wom-
en, and the diversification of
our agricultural, industrial and
commercial sectors. You are,
without a doubt, all winners,”
President Konrote said.
The awards were given ac-
cording to five categories that
were; Developing SMEs, Value
Adding SMEs, Responsive
SMEs, Special Awards and Na-
tional SME of the Year.
In total 13 awards were
handed out to SMEs excelling
sectors agriculture, manufac-
turing, wholesale and retail as
well as tourism.
Each of these awards was
funded by different corporate
sponsors.

Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Providing More Training

for Employees

Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Providing More Training for Employees. Photo: RADISSON BLU.

Radisson Blu Resort Fiji
Providing More Training for
Employees
The Radisson Blu Re-
sort Fiji recently dedicated a
whole week of operational
hours to conduct the
‘Train the Trainer’ (TOTS)
workshop at the resorts Cap-
tains Ballroom. A total of 28 of
the hotels
team members compris-
ing the Heads of Department
and Department Trainers
were sponsored by
the resort to attend the rig-
orous 5-day in-house training
coordinated by the Fiji Nation-
al University.
“The Radisson Blu Resort
Fiji believes in empowering
its team members to be inno-
vative and
service driven through
continuous training and de-
velopment and thus has dedi-
cated this year 2018
to driving Team Training
across the resort”, says Hu-
man Resource Manager, Julia
Peters.
The ‘Train the Trainer’ pro-
gramme engaged participants
in an extensive, multi-day
training
evaluations and learn-
ing processes that builds on
the knowledge and skills re-
quired to effectively
train the various Head of
Departments and assist lead-
ers with the daily manage-
ment of each
department.
Various techniques of
training unique to each de-
partment were identified dur-
ing the workshop to
help members support
existing knowledge and en-
hance skills necessary to car-
ry tasks in a
competent and efficient
manner. Participants were
stimulated with practical
training so that training
techniques were exer-
cised and fine-tuned. As part
of the agenda, training also
THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
focused on
enhancing the partici-
pant’s presentation and train-
er skills, understanding the
science of behavior
and adult learning, the
training cycle, and training
evaluations.
“The completion of the
week long training is an in-
vestment by the resort to help
upskill and further
develop our Managers and
department trainers. All par-
ticipants will receive a certifi-
cate of
attainment from the Fiji
National University which will
enable them to better identify
our training
needs and customise ap-
propriate training to enhance
our guest service experi-
ence”, says Julia
Peters.
RADISSON BLU
17
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Fiji Link Opens ‘The Flying Fijian Club’

VIP Domestic Lounge at Nadi Airport
Fiji Airways’ subsidiary
Fiji Link yesterday opened
its brand new VIP Lounge at
Nadi Airport. Called ‘The Fly-
ing Fijian Club’, the Lounge
was officially opened by Fiji
Airways Group Managing Di-
rector and CEO Andre Viljoen,
with members of the Fiji Air-
ways National 7s Team as the
Lounge’s first guests. The Fly-
ing Fijian Club is a by-invita-
tion-only lounge dedicated Fiji
Link’s VIP guests and all Fijian
national rugby sponsored by
the Fiji Airways Group.
Speaking at the official
opening, Mr. Viljoen said the
Group was making significant
customer service enhance-
ments to guests of both air-
lines. “We recently opened
our brand new Fiji Airways
Premier Lounge for VIP guests
travelling internationally, and
our team worked hard in par-
allel to complete The Flying
Fijian Club for our VIP domes-
tic guests.”
“Fiji Link is a critical part of
our network and has been a
key customer experience fo-
cus area for the Fiji Airways
Group. We are now operating
two brand new VIKING DHC-
6 Twin Otter aircraft which
complement our young ATR
fleet. Two more brand new
Twin Otters will arrive this
year to give our domestic
guests the most comfortable
and reliable aircraft flying in
Fiji. In addition to investments
in the fleet, we now offer even
The Flying Fijian Club Official Opening. Photo: FIJI AIRWAYS.
more value to Fiji Link’s VIP
customers with an exclusive
lounge to relax or work before
their domestic flight. And by
extending the guest list to in-
clude all Fiji Airways national
rugby teams, we’re demon-
strating our commitment to
Fiji Rugby.”
The Flying Fijian Club in-
corporates a sports bar theme
and caters for up to 40 guests.
The Club offers wifi, bever-
ages, a workstation, TV and
a meeting room. The most
striking feature of the Flying
Fijian Club is the unique col-
lection of sporting memora-
bilia which adorns the walls.
These include autographed
rugby jerseys from various
Fijian rugby teams over the
years as well as an auto-
graphed jersey from the 2017
Super Rugby Champions - the
BNZ Crusaders There are vari-
ous other autographed sport-
ing artefacts from athletes
like Roy Krishna and Jarryd
Hayne.
Gareth Baber, Fiji Airways
National 7s Coach thanked
the airline for this proac-
tive initiative on behalf of Fiji
Rugby and all national teams.
“When people do things like
this for you, it gives us a huge
boost. We always now that
when we get a good experi-
ence, it becomes part of our
process. And that part of the
process, which takes a bit of
pain away when we’re trav-
elling as much as we do, is
phenomenal for us in terms
of being able to up our perfor-
mance level.”
Fijian National Teams who
are invited to the Lounge
include the Fiji Airways 7s
Team, the Fiji Airways Fijiana
7s, the Fiji Airways Flying Fi-
jians (15s), the Fiji Airways
Women’s 15s team, and the
Fiji Airways Drua. The Flying
Fijian Club is located ‘land-
side’ at the Nadi Airport Inter-
national Departure Terminal
with easy access from the Do-
mestic Terminal.

Air NZ Targeting 777-200 Philippine Airlines is

Replacement from 2022 Certified as a 4-Star
Airline

Air New Zealand Dreamliner. Photo: FLIGHT GLOBAL.

Air New Zealand is looking to options to re-
place its eight Boeing 777-200ERs from 2022.
The Star Alliance carrier disclosed that it
has started the evaluation in an investor pre-
sentation following the release of its results for
the six months to the end of December 2017.
While it did not indicate how advanced the
evaluation of a replacement for the 777 Clas-
sics is, however chief financial officer Jeff Mc-
Dowall said during the carrier’s earnings call
indicated that the airline typically has a two-
year lead time between placing an order and
taking delivery of aircraft.
Airbus recently showed off its A350-1000
test aircraft in Auckland as part of a global
sales campaign for the jet, which is expected
to compete against the 777X series to meet the
replacement requirement.
Capacity-wise, the A350-900 and 777-8
are the more likely replacements for the 777-
18 THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
200ERs rather than the -1000 or -9. Boeing may
also look to offer additional 787-9s or larger
-10s as part of a package deal.
FlightGlobal schedules show that the 777-
200ERs serve a variety of routes to the Pacific
Islands, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The
type was replaced on the Auckland-Houston
route by 787-9s in January.
The carrier also disclosed that it is in the
“final stages” of confirming a new lease agree-
ment on an additional 787-9 that would be de-
livered in the 2020 fiscal year. That will take its
fleet of the type to 14.
“With the addition of this widebody aircraft,
we will have a sufficient number of fleet to de-
liver on our target of mid-single-digit capacity
growth on our longhaul network until we enter
into the Boeing 777-200 replacement that will
start around 2022,” says McDowall.
FLIGHT GLOBAL
Philippine Airlines (PAL)
has been Certified with the
4-Star Airline quality ranking
by SKYTRAX, the international
air transport rating organisa-
tion.
This 4-Star Airline rating
is a mark of quality distinc-
tion that recognises excellent
standards of Product and Staff
service across different as-
sessment categories for both
the Onboard and Airport envi-
ronment. Commenting on the
4-Star Airline Rating awarded
to Philippine Airlines, Edward
Plaisted of Skytrax said: “this
recognises the great improve-
ments that the airline has in-
troduced over the last 2 years,
both in terms of product
change and development and
enhancement of the front-line
staff service. New and retro-
fitted aircraft have played an
important part in the qual-
ity improvement process, and
this looks set to develop fur-
ther when Philippine Airlines
introduce the A350 into their
fleet. We look for consistency
of quality in the 4-Star rating,
and we now entrust Philip-
pine Airlines to ensure this is
duly delivered to customers.”
“This is a big win for the
Philippines,” said PAL Chair-
man & CEO Dr. Lucio C. Tan.
“We are elated by this recog-
nition which is a victory for
the more than seven thou-
sand members of the Phil-
ippine Airlines family. Our
achievement is the country’s
achievement and we share
this with all Filipinos around
the globe.”
Philippine Airlines
achieved this coveted rat-
ing after Skytrax conducted
a rigorous audit across the
airline’s inflight and ground
service for both international
and domestic flights and not-
ed major enhancements on
its end-to-end passenger ex-
perience and distinct whole-
hearted service called Buong-
PusongAlaga
SKY TRAX
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Sailors Set Course to the 35th Fiji Regatta

By ANA SOVA
Cruising and racing sailors
from around the Pacific and
beyond, along with their fami-
lies and friends, are already
making plans to be part of the
region’s ultimate sailing event,
the famous Musket Cove Fiji
Regatta.
This will be the 35th stag-
ing of the celebrated series,
which is scheduled for Sep-
tember 7-12.
It will be sailed out of the
famous Musket Cove Island
Resort and Marina, an idyllic
tropical destination located on
Malolo Lailai Island, amid the
beautiful Mamanuca Islands
west of Nadi.
Regatta’s Co-ordinator,
Jack Hargraves said for more
than three decades Musket
Cove Fiji Regatta has been fa-
mous for its traditional, warm
hospitality, excellent racing
and a fun factor that remains
on high from start to finish.
“This year will be no differ-
ent, sail by day and party by
night,” Hargraves said.
Musket Cove Island Resort
Director, Will Moffat said the
early interest in the regatta in-
dicated that last year’s record
fleet of 105 yachts may be
topped this year.
For the sailors, the signa-
ture event at Musket Cove Fiji
Regatta is the 20-nautical mile
Round Malolo Lailai Race,
which starts and finishes off
Musket Cove Resort, while on-
shore the party agenda will in-
clude the fancy dress Pirates’
Day, the Musket Island Rum
Run and the ever exciting off-
the-beach Hobie Cat round
robin.
Party Central for all par-
ticipants post-racing will be
based around Musket Cove
Yacht Club’s unique open-air
island bar, where great island
music will get things moving.
The majority of competing
yachts lie at anchor just off the
resort; however some berths
at the island marina and set
moorings are available.
It is suggested that owners
wanting to secure a marina
berth or mooring should book
early.
Sailors pictured during the 34th Musket Cove Fiji Regatta last year. Photo: MUSKET COVE FIJI RESORT FACEBOOK.

Nanuku’s Auberge Naturally Fiji

Beach Villas – Ground Supports the 2018
Broken and on Track Fijian Tourism Expo
for October Opening

Auberge Beach Villas Artists Impression Feb 2018. Photo: MIKE PARKER-BROWN.

By MARIA LAQETA

Nanuku Auberge Resort is among the top
Fiji resort listings after 13 new luxury one and
two-bedroom ‘Auberge Beach Villas’ are bang
on schedule for their official opening in Octo-
ber this year.
One of the biggest resort developments to
take place in Fiji in recent times, work is well
underway on the beachfront site project fol-
lowing a traditional ground-breaking ceremo-
ny conducted by local chiefs, village elders and
other local dignitaries.
When complete and ready for guests, each
of the Auberge Beach Villas will come com-
plete with state of the art kitchens, private
swimming pools and private open terraces of-
fering the very best in both indoor and outdoor
living fronted by a pristine, three kilometre-
long white-sand beach and the resort’s own
pristine house reef.
An added benefit for guests staying in an
Auberge Beach Villa is the opportunity to com-
bine an intimate and very private villa style
holiday in their own environment or, as de-
sired, take full advantage of the fact they also
have access to a full resort offering an award-
winning restaurant and bar, a spa and wellness
centre and a myriad choice of both on and off
resort activities.
Nanuku Auberge Resort General Manager,
SaschaHemmann said the ground-breaking
event represented a watershed moment for
Fiji’s tourism industry.
“There can be no doubt we raised the bar
considerably when we first opened our doors
under a ‘Nanuku Resort & Spa’ branding in
early 2014,” MrHemmann said.
“The changes that have taken place since
then, including a major rebranding as part of
the internationally-acclaimed and highly re-
spected Auberge Resorts Collection, have truly
positioned us in place as one of the most desir-
able resorts to be found in Fiji and further afield
in the South Pacific.
“When complete and ready for guests, we
are beyond confident that our new Auberge
Beach Villas will take that reputation even
higher, in the process taking both our standing
as a true luxury resort offering a definitive outer
island experience to levels previously unseen
in this part of the world.”
Naturally Fiji booth at FTE 2017.Photo: TOURISM FIJI.
By MARIA LAQETA
With a record of Exhibitors,
Buyers and Media, a Fiji-based
manufacturing company,
Naturally Fiji, have agreed to
provide sponsorship for 2018
Fijian Tourism Expo that will
be hosted from April 10-12 at
Sheraton Fiji Resort & Spa on
Denarau Island, Nadi.
Naturally Fiji Business De-
velopment Manager, Mahz-
abeen Begum says for the
past two years they have par-
ticipated in the FTE because
the company looks for inno-
vative ways to showcase their
product offering on the world
THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
stage.
Meanwhile, FTE 2018 helps
companies, like Naturally Fiji
to engage directly with in-
ternational buyers and travel
trade media under one roof,
at one location.
Mahzabeen said, “We have
found FTE to be an invaluable
opportunity to “showcase our
products” to a sophisticated
international audience and
the local visitor and retail pro-
viders that market our range
in Fiji. That is why you will find
us once more at this year’s
FTE - and for many more years
to come.”
Naturally Fiji products are
available in all Jacks of Fiji
and Tappoos outlets across
the country as well as a num-
ber of resorts and hotels.
They specialized in a variety
of handmade soaps, body lo-
tions, virgin coconut oil, sugar
scrubs and many such beauty
products.
Their products are craft-
ed from natural ingredients
sourced locally and from all
around the world.
19
www.thejetnewspaper.com www.scribd.com/thejet

Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Celebrates

2017 Employee Awards
By MARIA LAQETA

The Radisson Blu Resort
Fiji awarded 2017 hardwork-
ing Employee of the year.
Currently, staff celebrated
the resorts Annual Employee
Awards for 2017 in recognis-
ing the Grand Prize Winners
in 3 prestigious categories:
Leader of the Year, Front of
the House Employee of the
Year and Back of the House
Employee of the Year.
These awards are the high-
est level of recognition an
employee could achieve after
first qualifying for the quarter
awards through nominations
received from staff votes and
Department Heads feedback
based on the resorts service
philosophy of ‘Yes I Can!’ At-
titudes and performance.
The Radisson Blu Resort
family believes in reward-
ing and recognising excellent
employee performance and
are proud to foster exciting
schemes and policies to em-
power and honour dedicated
and hardworking individuals
throughout the year.
Together with the 2017 An-
nual Award Winners, 6 other
colleagues were recognised
as the 4th Quarter 2017 win-
ners which included Rookie
of the Quarter, Leader of the
Quarter and Back and Front
of the House Employee of the
Quarter.
General Manager of the
Radisson Blu Resort FijiJohn
Bendtsen said as a committed
responsible business entity,
evolving internally and lifting
the welfare and development
of staff is a fundamental focus
of the resort in line to being
effective contributors in the
local community.
“Employee engagement is
encouraged through regular
employee awards, instant re-
wards, recognition and inter-
nal promotions to encourage
and motivate employees,” he
added.
The instant recognition
programme called the ‘RAD
Rewards’ he said it allows em-
ployees to earn points and re-
deem great prizes and it exists
as an incentive for those who
exceed expectations through
the Radisson Blu Resorts ‘Yes
I Can!’ service standards.
“The resort also encour-
ages cross training between
departments and internal pro-
motions to develop talent and
skill set within the resort.
“The key to our prosper-
ity and our biggest asset is
our people – the team at the
Radisson Blu Resort Fiji are
the core of all operations. I
wish to congratulate all em-
ployees recognised for their
hard work to continue to ex-
cel in their roles and keep
up the ‘Yes I Can!’ attitude
and commitment”, says John
Bendtsen.
Recipients for the 2017
All Employee Awards are
as follows: Leader of the
Year – Elenoa Green, Back
of House Employee of Year –
Ashwini Kumar, Front of the
House Employee of the Year
– JovilisiCama, Leader of 4th
Quarter- Rosie Devi, Rookie
of 4th Quarter – LycynaKa-
mali, Front of House Decem-
ber - Philis Campbell, Back
of House December – Abdul
Rahiman, Front of House No-
vember - MerewaiNainoka
and Back of House November
– Asis Chand.
Radisson Blu Resort Fiji. Photo: RADISSON.

TTF Handles Ground

Transfers for the Fiji
Tourism Expo
Registrations for the 2018
Fijian Tourism Expo (FTE)
have now closed but not with-
out a record number of buy-
ers signing up for the event,
which is scheduled to take
place from April 10– 12.
Tourist Transport Fiji (TTF)
has come on board as a major
sponsor for the Expo and will
be handling all ground trans-
fers, meet and greet for del-
egates for the two-day event
this year.
The transport company,
which has been in operation
for more than 25 years, spe-
cialises in ground handling
and transfers of tourists across
Fiji. This includes person-
alised private transfers, day
tours, adventure and sightsee-
ing and airport arrival services
to name a few. Their fleet
Tourist Transport Fiji vehicles. Photo: SUPPLIED. includes 52 vehicles ranging
from private cars to 48 seats.
TTF General Manager John
Hardaker said, “The Expo is
the biggest of its kind in Fiji
and we are pleased to sup-
port Tourism Fiji again this
year. We believe that our abil-
ity to continue to deliver the
best and reliable service has
helped us win this bid and
we look forward to this year’s
Expo.”
It’s these types of compa-
nies that not only showcase
Fiji’s great sights, experiences
and adventures like the Sa-
beto mud pools, bilibili rafting
and jungle treks, but also give
tourists a taste of Fiji’s unique
culture and lifestyle. The com-
pany also continues to invest
into its people and build up
their business. Last year the
company invested around
$1.4 million to upgrade their
fleet and this year they plan to
invest in seven new coaches
to add to their fleet.
The Fijian Tourism Expo is
an annual event, which helps
quality international buyers
meet with Tourism Industry
partners here in Fiji. Tourism
Fiji Chief Executive Officer,
Matthew Stoeckel said, “We
have a great working relation-
ship with TTF and believe that
they can exceed our guest’s
expectations for the Expo.
They did a fantastic job last
year and we expect nothing
short of the best again this
year.”
The Fijian Tourism Expo
2018 will be held at Denarau
Island Convention Centre
from 10-12 April.
TOURISM FIJI

Tourism Fiji hosts Japan

Insights Seminar in Fiji
Registrations for the 2018
Fijian Tourism Expo (FTE)
have now closed but not with-
out a record number of buy-
ers signing up for the event,
which is scheduled to take
place from April 10– 12.
Tourist Transport Fiji (TTF)
has come on board as a major
sponsor for the Expo and will
be handling all ground trans-
fers, meet and greet for del-
egates for the two-day event
this year.
The transport company,
which has been in operation
for more than 25 years, spe-
cialises in ground handling
and transfers of tourists across
Fiji. This includes person-
alised private transfers, day
tours, adventure and sightsee-
ing and airport arrival services
to name a few. Their fleet
includes 52 vehicles ranging
20 THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
from private cars to 48 seats.
TTF General Manager John
Hardaker said, “The Expo is
the biggest of its kind in Fiji
and we are pleased to sup-
port Tourism Fiji again this
year. We believe that our abil-
ity to continue to deliver the
best and reliable service has
helped us win this bid and
we look forward to this year’s
Expo.”
It’s these types of compa-
nies that not only showcase
Fiji’s great sights, experiences
and adventures like the Sa-
beto mud pools, bilibili rafting
and jungle treks, but also give
tourists a taste of Fiji’s unique
culture and lifestyle. The com-
pany also continues to invest
into its people and build up
their business. Last year the
company invested around
$1.4 million to upgrade their
fleet and this year they plan to
invest in seven new coaches
to add to their fleet.
The Fijian Tourism Expo is
an annual event, which helps
quality international buyers
meet with Tourism Industry
partners here in Fiji. Tourism
Fiji Chief Executive Officer,
Matthew Stoeckel said, “We
have a great working relation-
ship with TTF and believe that
they can exceed our guest’s
expectations for the Expo.
They did a fantastic job last
year and we expect nothing
short of the best again this
year.”
The Fijian Tourism Expo
2018 will be held at Denarau
Island Convention Centre
from 10-12 April.
TOURISM FIJI
www.thejetnewspaper.com www.scribd.com/thejet

ENVIRONMENT
Fiji Pushes for Greater Finance to Promote
Food Security in Response to Rising Seas
By MARIA LAQETA
There is an urgent need to make greater
finance and sustainable development assis-
tance available to promote food security in cli-
mate vulnerable nations.
Attorney-General and Minister for Economy
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum made his statement dur-
ing the World Sustainable Development Sum-
mit in New Delhi, India.
At a high-level ministerial segment on en-
hancing resilience and achieving land degra-
dation neutrality in multifunctional landscapes,
the AG pointed to the steady increase of soil
salinity caused by sea level rise as a major
emerging threat to food production and food
security.
He specially mentioned the Government of
Kiribati’s purchase of land in Fiji, made to ad-
dress food security concerns in an era of rising
sea levels.
“In Fiji, we are seeing increases in soil salin-
ity in new areas, and we are relocating entire
communities to escape the rising seas. Some
of our low-lying Pacific Island neighbours face
an even graver situation, as the global rise in
sea levels threatens their very existence,” said
the Attorney-General.
“Climate change presents an immediate
threat to food production around the world,
particularly in low-lying vulnerable nations. It is
critical that we make more finance available to
sustain food production and protect the liveli-
hoods of farmers around the world.”
Other high-level dignitaries on the panel
included the Deputy Environment Minister
from Ghana, Ms. Patricia Appiagyei, and other
high-level dignitaries, including the Executive
Secretary of the United Nations Convention to
Combat Desertification, Ms. Monique Barbut,
and Dr. SanjaasurenOyun, Chair of the Global
Water Partnership.

Habitat for Humanity Excess Emissions’

Readies Response to make Significant
Cyclone Gita Contribution to Air
Samoa is an island country located the
South Pacific Ocean.
The official name of the country is the Inde-
pendent State of Samoa.
Samoa is located about halfway between
Hawaii and New Zealand in the Polynesian re-
gion of the South Pacific.
Samoa shares maritime borders with
American Samoa (United States), New Zea-
land, Tonga, and Wallis and Futuna (France).
Samoa has two official languages: Samo-
an and Samoan.
As of 1 January 2017, the population of
Samoa was estimated to be 195,470 people.
It is the 167th largest country in the world
in terms of land area with 2,842 square kilo-
meters (1,097 square miles).
The country is made up of nine volcanic
islands, two of which – Savai’i and Upolu –
make up more than 99% of the land.
Apia is the capital and the largest city of
Samoa. The city is located on the central
north coast of Upolu, Samoa’s second larg-
est island. Apia is the only “city” in Samoa. It
has population of about 37,000.
The country lies within the area of “Ring
of Fire,” a major area in the basin of the Pa-
cific Ocean where a large number of earth-
quakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
The islands have narrow coastal plains
with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in
the interior.
The highest point in Samoa is Mount
Silisili, at 1858 meters (6,096 feet) above sea
level. It is located in the centre of a mountain
chain running the length of Savai’i island.
Over the millennia, the Samoan people
engaged in trade, battles and intermarriage
of nobility with the neighbouring islands of
Fiji and Tonga.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Pollution
When Hurricane Harvey
struck Texas in August, indus-
trial facilities in the state shut
down, then reopened a few
days later. In doing so, they
produced nearly 2,000 tons
of “excess emissions” -- air
pollutants in addition to what
was allowed as part of their
normal operation.
A study by Indiana Univer-
sity researchers shows that
excess emissions -- which
occur with plant shut-downs,
start-ups and malfunctions,
and not just in connection
with natural disasters -- can
make serious contributions to
overall air pollution. Yet excess
emissions have not received a
lot of attention from research-
$150 million a year in negative
health consequences.
The study, “Understanding
Excess Emissions from Indus-
trial Facilities: Evidence from
Texas,” has been published
online by the journal Environ-
mental Science and Technol-
ogy. Additional authors are
SPEA assistant professor Alex
Hollingsworth and associate
professor David Konisky.
It is the first study to exam-
ine statewide excess emis-
sions of a range of air pollut-
ants produced by multiple
industrial sectors over a peri-
od of time, from 2002 to 2016.
Industrial sectors include
refineries, oil and gas fields,
chemical plants and natural
oxide increased routine emis-
sions by 17 percent.
In some facilities, excess
emissions produced more
pollution than normal opera-
tions. At one refinery, a 56-
hour event in 2003 released
more sulfur dioxide than the
plant was permitted to emit
for the year.
Under the Clean Air Act,
industrial facilities are issued
permits that place limits on
the emissions they are al-
lowed to produce during nor-
mal operations. But facilities
also produce excess emis-
sions when pollution-control
equipment malfunctions and
when plants are shut down or
started up, either for planned

Minister Urges Better

ers or regulators, the study’s gas facilities. maintenance or as a result of
authors said. Only three states The researchers found that weather events or other inter-
-- Texas, Louisiana and Okla- a few events at a handful of fa- ruptions.
homa -- systematically track cilities produced a large share The U.S. Environmental

Environment Care
and report excess emissions
and make the data public.
“These emissions are
significant,” said Nikolaos
Zirogiannis, a scientist at the
IU School of Public and En-
vironmental Affairs and an
author of the study. “They are
a regular feature of the opera-
tion of industrial facilities, and
a single event lasting from a
few hours to a few days can
produce a large quantity of
emissions.”
They also can have a se-
rious impact. The study in-
cludes an analysis that con-
cludes excess emissions in
Texas cause approximately
of excess emissions. The typi-
cal excess event produced
about 1 ton of emissions, but
some produced more than
1,000 tons. In the refining sec-
tor, six refineries caused 77
percent of carbon monoxide
excess emissions.
Over the period of the
study, excess emissions
boosted routine emissions in
Texas by 7.5 percent for vola-
tile organic compounds and
about 2 percent for sulfur di-
oxide and carbon monoxide.
But in certain industrial sec-
tors the figures are larger; in
oil and gas fields, for example,
excess emissions of sulfur di-
Protection Agency looks to
states to regulate emissions
through state implementation
plans. But it wasn’t until 2015
that the EPA began pushing
states to effectively regulate
excess emissions. With a re-
cent change in leadership at
the EPA, the enforcement of
regulations on excess emis-
sions may be in flux, the re-
searchers say.EurekAlert
EUREK ALERT

Participants from various Ministries and Departments during the “Walk in the Park” cam-
paign at Colo-i-Suva. Photo: MOA.
By MARIA LAQETA
Government advised peo-
ple to take proper care of their
environment because it has
a source of food through the
forest, flora, and fauna.
its purpose, providing food
and water as well as being
The Minister for Agricul
Inia Seruiratu has called on
people to take proper care of
their environment because
it has so many things gained
from forest but the unfortu-
nate thing is the environment
are misused.
He reiterated the need for
sustainable development as
it was important in ensuring
the non-depletion of natural
resources.
“If we do not look after
our environment when devel-
opment is carried out at the
expense of it, that is irrespon-
sible,” he said.
He impressed upon the
need to approach develop-
ment holistically from an eco-
nomic and social perspective
ture, Rural and Maritime
to protect from irreversible
negative impacts.
Development, National Di-
saster Management and Me-
“When the social and envi-
ronmental implications of de-
teorological services, Hon.
THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
velopment are neglected, it is
poor development,” he said.
The Minister stressed that
today’s needs and aspirations
must be met without compro-
mising the future.
“We have all heard about
sustainable development
goals and it’s all about sus-
tainable development, it is
about looking after our envi-
ronment because if we do not
look after our environment to-
day, there will be problems in
the future.”
“Today we are meeting
the aspirations and needs at
the expense of the future, our
children will struggle if we
do not look after our environ-
ment,” he said.
As a high-level global cli-
mate change champion, the
Minister said people must
consider planting trees as it
was the natural and cheapest
way to counter global carbon
emissions.
“We seriously need to look
at afforestation and re-affores-
tation because that is the best
way to fight global warming
and at the least cost.”
The Minister made these
remarks at the “Walk in the
Park” campaign organized
by the Ministry of Forestry in
Colo-i-Suva.
Send us your feedbacks or
suggestions to:
feedbacks@
media.com.fj
21
www.thejetnewspaper.com
KIDS CORNER
1.Why did the dinosaur
cross the road?
Because the chicken
wasn’t born yet.
2. Why can’t Elsa have
balloon?
Because she will let it go.
3. How do you make an
octopus laugh?
With ten-tickles!
4. How do you make a tis-
sue dance?
You put a little boogie in it.
5. Knock knock.
Who’s there?
Interrupting pirate.
Interrupting pir—yarrrrrr!
6. What did the nose say
to the finger?
Quit picking on me!
7. What musical instru-
ment is found in the bath-
room?
A tuba toothpaste.
8. Why did the kid bring a
ladder to school?
Because he wanted to go
to high school.
9. What is a vampire’s
favorite fruit?
A blood orange.
10. What do elves learn in
school?
The elf-abet.
11. What do you call a dog
magician?
A labracadabrador.
12. Where do pencils go
for vacation?
Pencil-vania.
13. Why couldn’t the pony
sing himself a lullaby?
He was a little hoarse.
22 THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
14. Why didn’t the skel-
eton go to the dance?
He had no body to
dance with.
15. What gets wetter the
more it dries?
A towel.
16. What do you call
two bananas?
Slippers.
And speaking of banan-
as…
17. Why did the banana go
to the doctor?
Because it wasn’t peeling
well.
19. What do you call a
fake noodle?
An impasta.
20. What stays in the
corner yet can travel all over
the world?
A stamp.
21. How do you fix a
cracked pumpkin?
With a pumpkin patch.
22. What kind of award
did the dentist receive?
A little plaque.
23. What do you call a
funny mountain?
Hill-arious.
24. Why are ghosts bad
liars?
Because you can see right
through them.
25. Why do bees have
sticky hair?
Because they use a hon-
eycomb.
26. What did the big
flower say to the little flower?
Hi, bud!
27. Why was the picture
sent to jail?
It was framed.
28. Where do rabbits go
after they get married?
On a bunny-moon!
29. What sound do porcu-
pines make when they hug?
Ouch!
Jokes for Kids
30. Why do ducks make
great detectives?
They always quack the
case.
31. What did one wall say
to the other wall?
I’ll meet you at the corner.
32. What do lawyers wear
to court?
Lawsuits.
33. What kind of hair do
oceans have?
Wavy.
34. What’s black & white
and read all over?
A newspaper. (Okay, this
one might require explana-
tion for digital-aged kids).
35. And, what is black,
white and green all over?
A pickle in a tuxedo.
36. What time is it if an
elephant sits on the fence?
Time to fix the fence!
37. What part of your body
can cause the end of the
world?
Your apoco-lips (AJ, age
8!)
38. What do you call an
old snowman?
Water.
39. Why didn’t the orange
win the race?
It ran out of juice.
40. What dinosaur had the
best vocabulary?
The thesaurus.
41. What did one DNA
strand say to the other DNA
strand?
Do these genes make my
butt look big?
42. Why aren’t dogs good
dancers?
They have two left feet.
43. What did the wolf say
when it stubbed its toe?
Owwwww-ch!
44. Kid: What are you do-
ing under there?
Mom: Under where?
Kid: Ha ha! You said un-
derwear!!
45. Why did Johnny throw
the clock out of the window?
Because he wanted to see
time fly.
46. What did one toilet say
to the other?
You look flushed.
47. Why did the man put
his money in the freezer?
He wanted cold hard cash!
48. What word is always
spelled wrong in the diction-
ary?
Wrong.
49. How do pickles enjoy
a day out?
They relish it.
50. Mom: Does your un-
derwear have holes in it?
Kid: Of course not!
Mom: Then how do you
get your legs in them?
much I can do about
that!30 Hilarious Jokes for
Kids
51. Q: How do all the
oceans say hello to each
other?
They wave!
52. Q: What did one wall
say to the other wall?
I’ll meet you at the corner!
53. Q: What do you call a
bear with no teeth?
A gummy bear!
54. Q: What do you call
cheese that isn’t yours?
Nacho cheese!
55. Q: Where do cows go
for entertainment?
To the moo-vies!
56. Q: How do you know
if there’s an elephant under
your bed?
Your head hits the ceiling!
57. Q: Why are elephants
so wrinkled?
Because they take too
long to iron!
Fun Facts
1. If you somehow found a
way to extract all of the gold
from the bubbling core of our
lovely little planet, you would
be able to cover all of the land
in a layer of gold up to your
knees.
2. McDonalds calls fre-
quent buyers of their food
“heavy users.”
3. The average person
spends 6 months of their life-
time waiting on a red light to
turn green.
4. The largest recorded
snowflake was in Keogh, MT
during year 1887, and was 15
inches wide.
5. You burn more calories
sleeping than you do watch-
ing television.
6. There are more lifeforms
living on your skin than there
are people on the planet.
7. Southern sea otters
have flaps of skin under their
forelegs that act as pockets.
When diving, they use these
pouches to store rocks and
food.
8. In 1386 a pig in France
was executed by public hang-
ing for the murder of a child.
9. One in every five adults
believe that aliens are hiding
in our planet disguised as hu-
mans.
10. If you believe that
you’re truly one in a million,
www.scribd.com/thejet
there are still approximately
7,184 more people out there
just like you.
11. A single cloud can
weight more than 1 million
pounds.
12. A human will eat on av-
erage 70 assorted insects and
10 spiders while sleeping.
13. James Buchanan, the
15th U.S. president continu-
ously bought slaves with his
own money in order to free
them.
14. There are more pos-
sible iterations of a game of
chess than there are atoms in
the known universe.
15. The average person
walks the equivalent of three
times around the world in a
lifetime.
16. Men are 6 times more
likely to be struck by lightning
than women.
17. Coca-Cola would be
green if coloring wasn’t add-
ed to it.
18. You cannot snore and
dream at the same time.
19. The world’s oldest
piece of chewing gum is over
9,000 years old!
20. A coyote can hear a
mouse moving underneath a
foot of snow.
21. Bolts of lightning can
shoot out of an erupting vol-
cano.

www.thejetnewspaper.com
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A team of experienced
professionals provides moni-
CEO of www.grade1to6.com, Balaji V pictured. Photo: SUPPLIED.
toring, editing and content
writing services for school
websites and social media
platforms.
“The website has work-
sheets with global content for
teachers and students. Chil-
dren love it. It ends the search
for every teacher and parent
looking to provide a quan-
tum jump to the children’s
learning skills,” says Balaji
V, a media professional who
has worked with the Interna-
tional New York Times, the
global edition of the New York
Times and The Times of India
and the brain behind www.
grade1to6.com. The project
has also collaborated with Ak-
shayapatra, the free midday
meal scheme that caters to
over 1.4 million children every
day in over 11,000 schools in
Team Work to
Address Violence
Against Women
“One of the commitments
I have made as the Chief of
Police from Guam, is to assist
police from across Micronesia
by helping to culminate train-
ing, such as this, to up-skill
and improve police responses
to violence against women
and domestic violence cas-
es,” said Joseph Cruz, Guam
Chief of Police.
Cruz had made the com-
ment during the opening of
a joint Australian Federal Po-
lice (AFP) and Fiji Women’s
Crisis Centre (FWCC) Human
Rights and Gender Training
where senior and executive
level police from across Mi-
cronesia have come together,
for the first time, to undertake
specialised training on hu-
man rights and gender. He
went on to remind his fellow
comrades that combating vio-
lence against women needed
a collaborative effort; “it’s go-
ing to take all of us to address
violence against women, we
can’t just leave it to a few.”
The 5-day training will
take the executive level po-
lice officers through intensive
sessions dedicated to under-
standing gender and gender
related concepts. The senior
level officers will also be tak-
en through in-depth sessions
covering all the forms of vio-
India. lence against women namely;
Balaji V, founder and domestic violence or intimate
CEO, can be contacted at partner violence, rape, sexual
info@grade1to6.com or +91 harassment and child sexual
9818480127 abuse.
Lead trainer, Shamima Ali
who is also the Coordinator
WWW.GRADE1TO6.COM of the FWCC and the Chair
of the Pacific Women’s Net-
work Against Violence Against
Women (PWNAVAW) told
the participants to expect a
level of discomfort during the
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training, “during the course of
this training there will times
where your very own be-
liefs and behaviours towards
women will be challenged
and that’s okay because then
you can be assured that the
training is working because
in this training we use a sur-
vivour-centered approach
that challenges internalised
views and perceptions of
women with the overall goal
of improving police response
in the area of violence against
women,” said Ali at the open-
ing program.
The joint AFP and FWCC
training initiative has been
rolled out throughout the Pa-
cific since 2014. Since its in-
ception there has been three
first-responders trainings
held; one covering the North-
ern Pacific held in Pohnepei
and two covering the South
Pacific held in Fiji. Stuart
Campbell, Advisor from the
AFP also informed the par-
ticipants that there has been
three regional executive
level police trainings held in
Fiji, and now the current ex-
ecutive level training in Guam
taking the number of senior
executive level trainings to
four.
The 5-day training com-
menced Monday 5 February
and runs through to Friday 9
February at the Westin Hotel,
Guam.
FIJI WOMENS CRISIS
CENTRE
23
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Six Players Secure Qualification
for Volvo China Open at Nansha
Six players are now as-
sured of competing in the
RMB 20 million Volvo China
Open in April after Wang
Dong-yu, HeZe-yu and Ye Ji-
an-feng won through from the
Volvo China Open Guangzhou
Nansha Qualifying event.
They will now join Ameri-
cans John Michael O’Toole
and Blake Snyder, and also
Lien Lu-sen from Chinese Tai-
pei in the Volvo China Open in
April after those three players
emerged successful from the
International Qualifier at the
same Nansha venue earlier in
the week.
The six Nansha qualifiers
will join Liu Zehao, who se-
cured his place in the Volvo
China Open by winning the
prestigious Volvo China Junior
Match Play Championship in
Hainan last November.
The International Qualifier
is staged for non-mainland
Chinese players and this year
saw competitors from no less
than 11 countries take part.
The remaining three events
are staged for mainland Chi-
nese players only.
Both Snyder and Lien qual-
ified last year when the Inter-
national Qualifier was staged
in Hong Kong, while 24-year-
old O’Toole made his first
ever trip to China a memo-
rable one by ensuring a return
visit in April after rounds of 68
and 70 saw him tied at the top
of the leaderboard with Lien.
Shanghai-based Wang, 19,
emerged as both the leading
amateur and the joint winner
of the domestic tournament
after firing a two under-par 69
to end the event on two under
140.
Wang revealed that he is
very good friends with Sny-
der and commented that the
American had contacted him
prior to the domestic event to
USA Wins Gold in
Womens Hockey
After an absolute nail-biter
of a match, which went to
overtime and then a penalty
shootout, the US has finally
broken Canada’s stranglehold
on women’s Olympic hockey.
Team USA won the shoot-
out 3-2, with forward Jocelyne
Lamoureux-Davidson scoring
the winning goal. The women
in blue poured onto the ice
after Canada’s Megan Agosta
couldn’t reply, handing the
Americans the gold.
It was an incredibly close
match throughout, with Can-
ada leading 2-1 well into the
third period, only for Team
USA’s Monique Lamoureux-
Morando to pull it back, push-
ing the game into overtime.
Lamoureux-Morando told
reporters after the game that
Lautoka Football
Team off to NZ
By LITIA TIKOMAILEPANONI
The Lautoka Football team
coasted out of the country on
Thursday to play in their pool
games in the Oceania Foot-
ball Confederations Champi-
on’s League in Auckland New
Zealand.
Coach Kamal Swamy said
the team will work hard in
compete during the tourna-
ment which will be held at the
Trust Arena on Sunday.
“Locally I think we are
26 THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
VCOIQ qualifiers. Photo: GOLF NEWS.
give him tips on how to effec-
tively play the Nansha course.
“I’ve played in eight Volvo
China Open Qualifiers so far
and this is my second time to
win one of the three places
available,” said Wang, who
also qualified last year in
Tianjin. “I always enjoy the
Volvo-sponsored events as ev-
erything is organized to such a
high standard.
“The Volvo China Open
is the biggest event I have so
she was “digging the new
necklace.”
She said she had worked
on the penalty shot a “thou-
sand times” which won the
match.
“I’ve done that thousands
of times around tyres just set
out on open ice,” she said.
“It’s called ‘Oops, I did it
again’ ... I’ve butchered it a
thousand times, ran into tyres,
tripped over tyres. I’m just
glad it worked out this time.”
The US women’s hockey
team hadn’t won gold since
the 1998 Winter Olympics in
Nagano, Japan, so tensions
were even higher than usual
against their regional rivals.
Canada has won every
gold medal since then, and
Thursday’s match was the
good, but we need to improve
in some areas, it will be tough
for us but we will give it our
best shot. We have come to-
gether as a team and we hope
do our best at the game.
“The team had been
boosted when the Vodafone
Fiji Football side Coach Chris-
tophe Gamel abetted is in
the few months that we have
been working out.
“The team will play Auck-
far participated in and I was
both nervous and excited to
be playing in such a big event
last year.
“This year I hope to be able
to enjoy the event even more
and I plan to learn as much as
I can from more experienced
tour players.”
He Ze-yu looked to be
cruising to victory at the head
of the 75-strong field yester-
day, especially after holing a
15-foot putt for eagle on the
third time the teams had met
in an Olympic final.
USA’s Hannah Brandt
spoke to reporters about the
victory: “We wanted to win
today and I know they did as
well, but it feels pretty dang
good to be on the other side
of it.”
Ahead of the match, they
had already played once in
these Olympics. Canada won
that preliminary round 2-1
despite being out shot by the
Americans 45-23.
Canada’s MelodieDaoust
said the team’s loss was
“painful.”
“I don’t think we have any
regrets but this medal really
hurts,” she said. “I’m really
sad for our team.”
Many of the teammates,
land City FC in the last game
but we also have two other
nations that we need to play,
so we are very optimistic.
The team knows that
tough competition is ahead of
them, but are determined and
willing to prove themselves.
Swamy said the announce-
ment of the team captain
name will be known before
their first game with Madang.
par-five ninth to reach three
under-par.
He then birdied the dif-
ficult par-four 10th hole and
seemed to have everything
well under control.
A bogey on the par-three
12th was followed by another
dropped shot on the 14th and
then a disastrous double bo-
gey on the 15th saw him fall
back to level par and at that
stage out of the three qualify-
ing places.
Team USA celebrates winning after a penalty shootout in the women’s gold medal ice
hockey match between Canada and the US. Photo: SUPPLIED.
including its coach -- Laura
Schuler -- said it was difficult
to see the game decided by a
shootout.
“It was such a hard-fought
A 300-yard drive with a
three-wood on the par-five
18th was followed by a sub-
lime iron shot to 20 feet of the
flag from where he holed the
eagle putt that took him back
to two under and a share of
first place with Wang.
“This is my 10th time to
play in Volvo China Open
Qualifying,” said Shenzhen-
based He, “so I’m very
pleased to qualify. The Volvo
China Open is one of the most
game,” Schuler told reporters.
“You never want to see it go to
a shootout but it did.”
“It is hard. You feel as
though you have let your
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influential golf tournaments in
China so it’s good to be able
to compete by playing in the
qualifiers.”
Ye teed off almost an hour
before the overnight leaders
started their rounds follow-
ing an opening round of 75
and seemed to have an uphill
task to secure one of the three
qualifying places available.
A two under-par 34 on the
front nine was complimented
by three under-par 32 on the
back nine which included an
eagle two on the 15th after
the Shenzhen-based player
hit a three-iron off the tee
and a seven-iron approach
that bounced once and dis-
appeared into the cup for a
deuce. Ye’s four under-par 66
was the lowest score of the
day.
Ye ended the round tied
with She Zi-han and the pair
had to decide the final qualify-
ing place with a play off on the
par four 10th.
She’s approach ended
20 feet above the hole while
Ye’s short iron shot landed
just three feet from the hole
from where he made birdie
to claim his fourth start in
the Volvo China Open via the
qualifying system.
“To participate in the Volvo
China Open is the dream of all
Chinese players,” said Ye, 26.
“Four Chinese players have
so far lifted the Volvo China
Open trophy, and their per-
formance has given me great
encouragement to improve
my play.
“I look forward to playing
in the qualifying events and
I do all that I can to gain one
of the three qualifying places
available. I am glad that I can
continue to be successful
as this is the fourth time I’ve
played and the fourth time I
have qualified.”
country down, but you look at
it in a bigger picture.”
BBC NEWS
www.thejetnewspaper.com
Fiji Football Educate Sports
Students
By ANA SOVA
The Fiji Football Asso-
ciation in collaboration with
Fiji National University have
joined together to educate the
students of the Trade Diploma
in Sports Science Program
about football.
The five weeks course
started on 12 February at the
Fiji National University cam-
pus in Nasinu with nine stu-
dents and is expected to in-
crease by this week.
Fiji Football Association
Technical Director, Ravinesh
Kumar who is facilitating the
course said the main aim
was to enhance the students’
knowledge of the game.
“This is good way to let
them understand the key
competencies of football and
to have an overview of the
laws of the game,” Kumar
said.
He said these would also
improve their understanding
of player development with
a specific focus on the grass-
roots development.
“They will also learn to
plan and prepare conduct
and evaluate football coach-
ing course.”
Kumar said after the com-
pletion of the program the
students should be able to
Nadi Aviators outside the newly opened Jacks of Fiji Sports store in Lautoka. Photo: MAR-
GARET NAQIRI.
Fiji Airways 7s for Las
Vegas & Vancouver
The upcoming fifth round
of the 2018 HSBC World 7s
Series in Las Vegas and Van-
couver will be on show next
month.
Thus, theFiji Airways Na-
tional 7s Coach, Gareth Ba-
ber has named a very strong
Team that will represent Fiji.
The side will travel this
week to Las Vegas for a prep-
aration camp before the Las
Vegas 7s on 2-4 March fol-
lowed by the Vancouver 7s on
10-11 March.
“Coach Baber highlighted
that he has named the same
Team that participated in
Sydney and Hamilton. How-
ever, ApeteDaveta has not
recovered from his ankle in-
jury but the Team has been
strengthened by the inclusion
of WaiseaNacuqu who has
design a football session that
meets the needs of players
and team requirements.
“They will also know to
prepare, conduct and evalu-
ate practical coaching ses-
sions within the context of the
football framework, maintain
safe ethical and supportive
working relationships with
players in a well-constructed
coaching environment and
also to demonstrate an under-
standing of the related disci-
plines that support the role of
the coach, “Kumar said.
Kumar said it was a good
start and the students could
further enhance their knowl-
edge on football coaching.
“It is a pathway for the de-
velopment of football in the
country as we can have some
qualified young and enthusi-
astic students joining Fiji FA
in future and assist us in the
development of football, “Ku-
mar said.
Fiji National University’s
Sports Development Officer
and former National Sevens
coach Alifereti Cawanibuka
welcomed Fiji FA’s coopera-
tion and said this was an add-
ed advantage for the students
to learn about football in the
program.
recovered from his niggling
knee injury. Most of the play-
ers played well in the Hamil-
ton 7s and we are looking to
them for consistent perfor-
mance.”
Coach Baber highlighted
that the remaining squad
members will continue to
train under SaiasiFuli as the
Team continues to build
up for the Commonwealth
Games and the Hong Kong 7s
The Chief Executive Of-
ficer, Fiji Rugby Union, Mr
John O’Connor reminded the
players that they need to per-
form consistently in every leg
as we build up to the Com-
monwealth. It is up to you to
go out there and perform like
champions and win both tour-
naments. We wish you all the
best and God Speed in Las Ve-
“We have other sports
like rugby, volleyball, netball
and other sports but this is
the first time we have joined
with Fiji Football and I am
sure the students will learn a
lot,”Cawanibuka said.
“It’s good that we have
involved Fiji Football Asso-
ciation the students can learn
gas and Vancouver.” The Las
Vegas 7s will be played from
the 2nd to the 4th of March at
Sam Boyd Stadium in Nevada
and the Fiji Airways 7s team
have been pooled with Ke-
nya, France and Russia in Pool
A. The team is expected to de-
part our shores for Las Vegas
this Wednesday.
The Selected Players are:
1. Josua Vakurunabili
2. Paula Dranisinukula
3. Mesulame Kunavula
4. Jasa Veremalua
5. Vasikali Mudu
6. Jerry Tuwai
7. Vatemo Ravouvou
8. Amenoni Nasilasila
9. Waisea Nacuqu
10. Sevuloni Mocenacagi
11. Alasio Naduva
12. Eroni Sau
13. Kalione Nasoko
the latest techniques, differ-
ent methods of coaching and
develop players,”Cawanibuka
said.
Cawanibuka said this was
a win win situation for both
Fiji Football and the Fiji Na-
tional University.
“These students can
go back and help Fiji Foot-
Huge Showdown
for Nadi Aviators
By MARIA LAQETA
The gritty Nadi Aviators
side are determined to stamp
their mark at the Pacific Mela-
nesian Cup held in Port Mo-
resby, Papua New Guinea.
The side left our shores op-
timistic of a good showdown.
Nadi Aviators Rugby
League Coach Vela Tawake
said the team will take each
game as it comes.
“Looking at the period
2016 to 2017, the team’s per-
formance has progressed
well and we have been gaug-
ing their performance physi-
cally, technically in skills and
theory, as well as off their field
conduct.
The team had participated
in the Melanesian Cup in 2016
but were defeated 40-4 to the
Lae Tigers.
Tawake said, the team only
participated in the provincial
level rugby league competi-
tion in Fiji and other interna-
tional sanctioned matches for
THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
ball in development of
football whether it is in
schools, clubs or districts
and also generate interest in
football,’Cawanibuka said.
He thanked Fiji Football
Association for their collabo-
ration and hoped to continue
in many years to come.
The five week course will
the same tier competition.
He said the team executive
board had been very vigilant
about the team and in the
little progress that are before-
hand.
“Since the inception of
Fiji’s provincial rugby league
competition (Vodafone Vanua
Cup) in 2016 by FNRL there
has been a lot that the team
has gained in knowledge and
experience,” he said.
“There is far more ahead
of us than we have done and
our team is always up for the
challenge,” he added.
He also acknowledged
the financial support for the
club preparation for upcom-
ing tournament the toughest
challenge, the Pacific Mela-
nesian Cup in Port Moresby,
Papua New Guinea
“Our Sponsors Lae Biscuit
Company Ltd in Papua New
Guinea (PNG) as we are
brand ambassadors for their
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also see Vodafone Fiji national
football team assistant coach
Yogendra Dutt and Fiji FA Ref-
eree’s Director joining in to
facilitate the course.
flavoured biscuit product cur-
rently being introduced into
the Fijian market through RB
Patel thus we are called Snax
Nadi Aviators.
The official transport pro-
vider was Tourist Transport
of Fiji (TTF) and sponsors Red
Brick Laundry, Gary Ham-
nam - Whaleys Butchery, Fiji
Water , Ram Sami & Sons Ltd,
Azim Khan - Go Local Tours &
Transfers Fiji, William Koong
and Waqa Baravilala whom
they are greatly indebted to
the support towards the two
years of Nadi Aviators.
27
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Page 26 Page 27
Lautoka Football Huge Show-
Team off to NZ down for Nadi
Aviators
50 CENTS

Real Estate Wins 4

VOLUME 10 - ISSUE 104 FERUARY 26, 2018 www.thejetnewspaper.com

Person AmbroseMy Island Home Winners of the Mali Pest Control Golf Event

From left: Mark Patson, Lucy Samisoni, Susan Pritchard and Michael Broadbridge. Photo: MY ISLAND HOME REAL ESTATE.

By LITIA TIKOMAILEPANONI
The Inaugural Mali Pest
Control sponsored, 4 Person
Ambrose event that was held
at Denarau Golf and Racquet
Club on February 18 was said
to be of huge success.
The event saw golf enthu-
siast from all works of life sup-
porting the event.
My Island Home Real es-
tate team won the event with
56.25 nett. In second place
was Team Bancod Lawyers
from BA (Vikrant Chandra,
Rohit Chandra, Pradeep
Chandra and Jamie Bancod)
followed by Team Islands
Electric from Lautoka who
settled in third place, who
had the services of Roneel
Prakash, Suah Jung, Munesh
Prasad and Director Raymond
Singh, while Mali Pest control
team 2 was placed fourth and
and had the services of Azam
Khan, Praveer Chand, Craig
Powell and Ann Wade.
Director of Mali Pest Con-
trol Nitulesh Mali,” said he
was overwhelmed with the
support towards the event.
Mali said there would be a
much bigger and better event
later this year.
A total of 30 teams partici-
pated in the one day event.
Results:
The novelty prizes were
won by Hyewon Lee who
took the longest drive on hole
1, nearest to the pin on holes
3 was won by Jeral Sharma,
hole 7 was won by Tiri Naylor,
hole 11 was won by Munesh
Prasad and Hole 17th was
won by Jenice Hinton.

28 THE JET - FIJI’S FIRST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER