Three major stories are featured on the front page of The Fiji Times for Friday, October 4.
The spotlight remains on the revelations made by former deputy commissioner of FICAC, Francis Pulewai. It has been announced that the public will learn the names of the Commission of Inquiry members investigating the appointment of FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali and the claims raised by Ms. Pulewai next week. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stated that the Cabinet will convene on Tuesday to discuss a proposal for the commission, which will delve into the controversies surrounding FICAC. The proposal will include a Terms of Reference and a list of proposed commission members, potentially featuring international representatives.
Another key story addresses the financial landscape of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), revealing that the Government of Fiji guarantees $1.6 billion in debt held by these entities. This information comes from the Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development, and Statistics, which has recently published the government’s provisional financial report for the fiscal year ending July 2024.
In educational news, schools will continue to operate on Friday, confirmed by Education Minister Aseri Radrodro, who assured that schools are ready to handle water disruptions.
Additionally, there is significant discussion surrounding the planned three-day water cut impacting the Suva-Nausori corridor, which begins today. The Water Authority of Fiji announced that this disruption is necessary for connection works between the Viria water supply and the Waila Water Treatment Plant. WAF’s chief operating officer, Seru Soderberg, explained that the work involves linking a 900-millimeter pipeline from Viria to one of the three pipelines coming from Waila to the Wainibuku reservoir. This connection is expected to affect the total water flow into Wainibuku, supplying only 60 percent of its normal capacity.
The work commenced at midnight on Thursday, addressing a critical need to mitigate significant risks in supplying water to about 40 percent of the population. Residents in affected areas have been urged to store as much water as possible in advance of the disruption.
As the community prepares for this inconvenience, there are concerns about the impact on sanitation, health, education, and businesses. Letter writers have already raised various issues related to the water cut, emphasizing the importance of proper planning and sufficient water truck resources to assist those in need during this period.
As the water supply disruption looms, residents are encouraged to be proactive by storing water and using it judiciously over the coming days. This situation serves as a reminder of the need to reflect on long-term water management strategies. While the disruption poses challenges, it also presents an opportunity to advocate for better water use and investment in infrastructure, ultimately aiming to alleviate the ongoing water challenges faced by many residents.