The latest edition of The Sunday Times for November 17 highlights two significant stories. Firstly, Mahendra Chaudhry, the leader of the Fiji Labour Party and a former Prime Minister, is preparing for the upcoming 2026 general elections. During the FLP Annual Delegates Conference held in Nadi, Chaudhry emphasized the Fijian people’s need for leadership that is strong, transparent, and visionary.
In another notable development, the Fiji National University Naiyaca Campus in Labasa is expected to be completed by 2026. Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, the Vice Chancellor, announced that construction would resume next year as the university seeks additional funding partners to finalize the project, which has already utilized over $20 million in government funding.
Additionally, Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa recently advocated for businesses to invest in drug rehabilitation centers in Fiji. At the Sigatoka Coral Coast Festival opening, he underscored the impact of drug addiction on youth and the necessity for collective action to address it.
Nalumisa revealed that the Coalition Government has introduced incentives for businesses willing to invest in rehabilitation efforts. These include a 13-year tax holiday for establishing drug rehab centers and duty-free importation of capital goods needed for their operations. Furthermore, businesses contributing to these centers will receive full tax deductions.
The Minister also discussed the government’s plans to create a sustainable approach to combating drug addiction, including the establishment of a Narcotics Bureau with a budget of $2 million allocated in the 2024/2025 National Budget and the launch of the Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023-2028.
Focusing on the youth, whose population constitutes 50 percent of Fiji’s citizens under age 34, Nalumisa stressed the importance of establishing targeted rehabilitation programs to provide positive opportunities, particularly in light of youth unemployment rates exceeding the national average of 4.3 percent.
While the call for investment in drug rehabilitation is encouraging, there is a pressing need to translate discussions into actionable steps, creating well-resourced centers staffed by qualified professionals. The absence of dedicated drug rehabilitation facilities in Fiji remains a systemic issue that requires urgent resolution.
Overall, these stories reflect a crucial moment for Fiji, indicating both a commitment to addressing pressing social issues and investment in the future of education and rehabilitation, which can foster hope and positive change in communities.
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