Education ministry officials are reportedly involved in the illegal drug trade. This revelation comes from Education permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca, who mentioned that some cases are currently before the court, limiting her ability to comment further on the matter.
On the front page of The Fiji Times for Tuesday, July 16, another significant story highlights that over 30,000 iTaukei children registered with the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) are set to benefit from a $6.5 million dividend payout announced by the Unit Trust of Fiji (UTOF) last Friday. UTOF is managing part of approximately $69 million in lease entitlements attributed to these 32,941 iTaukei children through an arrangement with TLTB.
Additionally, a story in the business section covers an incident involving students from Adi Moapa Secondary School, who fortunately survived after the carrier they were traveling in tumbled down a hill on Monday. According to Selina Kuruleca, ten out of the eleven students have been discharged after being evaluated at CWM Hospital, while one student remains admitted due to a leg injury caused by a loose iron rod. The police are investigating the incident, and due process will be followed.
In another significant development, the road safety situation in Fiji continues to be a critical concern. As of July 11 this year, there have been 29 road deaths compared to 51 during the same period last year. This reduction in fatalities highlights the importance of road safety campaigns. The World Health Organization’s Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 shows a slight decrease in annual road traffic deaths to 1.19 million worldwide, emphasizing that efforts to improve road safety can yield significant results. However, the report also underscores the high cost of mobility, with road traffic injuries remaining the leading cause of death for children and young people aged 5-29 years. Notably, more than half of these fatalities involve pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
To achieve the global goal of halving road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030, urgent action is necessary. In the Western Pacific region, which includes Fiji, 328,000 people die annually from road traffic crashes, with millions more suffering non-fatal injuries, including lifelong disabilities.
Locally, Land Transport Authority (LTA) acting CEO Irimaia Rokosawa has identified speeding, drink-driving, and driver fatigue as leading causes of road accidents and fatalities. In collaboration with the Fiji Police Force, LTA has launched a special operation this month to raise awareness about jaywalking and promote responsible behavior among pedestrians. Rokosawa emphasized the LTA’s commitment to addressing these issues through stringent enforcement, comprehensive monitoring, and ongoing road safety awareness campaigns.
Although the decline in road fatalities is a positive development, it is essential to remember the human cost of each death, affecting families, communities, and the economy. Reflecting on the impact of road safety campaigns and initiatives underscores their significance in preventing road accidents. Maintaining momentum in road safety awareness campaigns is crucial because lives are invaluable, and road accidents are preventable. They occur because we allow them to happen.