The Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says Government will be utilising $132,760 to upgrade water supply systems in the province of Naitasiri this year.

However, most villages that will benefit and are covered under the project need to pay for their 1/10 contribution first.

“These included Roma, Nasirotu, Nasiriti, Nabaitavo, Nabaikau settlement, Serea , Gusuisavu and Nacokaika,” Provincial Administrator Naitasiri Eremasi Dame said.

“Other water projects successfully completed this year with financial assistance from Government include the $60,000 Vunidawa reservoir, Nawaisomo water project which cost $25,000, Taulevu Village $20,000 water project, Matainasau Village water project costing $15,000 and Rewasau water projects at $25,000.

“Six villages that were also assisted last year with water tanks include Waikalou, Soloira, Delaitoga, Nabaitavo, Vatukorosia and Delaiwaimale and farmers in Lomaivuna.”

Last year Government supplied eight 10,000 litre water tanks to Taulevu Village in Naitasiri for the mass collection of rainwater for their livelihood. The water tanks costed $22,000. The village is located 500 meters above sea level so the only source of water is rainwater.

Non Government Organization HABITAT for Humanity Fiji successfully completed the construction of a water dam for Namuamua Village this year, for which they supplied the necessary materials and manpower.

In 2008 the Japanese Ambassador handed over a new water supply project for the village of Delaitoga funded through the Japan Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Program.

Styled the ‘Grand Lady of Suva’, the future of the Grand Pacific Hotel and its potential was unveiled to guests including government representatives and members of the private sector.

This after the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama launched re-development plans for the GPH at the Holiday Inn in Suva today.

Applauding the efforts of all relevant stakeholders to revive this historic landmark, Commodore Bainimarama also spoke on the partnership between those involved to make this possible.

“This redevelopment has been made possible through the collaboration and partnership between the Fiji National Provident Fund, the National Superannuation Fund of Papua New Guinea and the Lamana Group also of PNG. These three entities are shareholders in the GPH Limited,” Commodore Bainimarama said.

This collaboration between PNG and Fiji is a first of its kind.

“It is indicative of the growing economic strength of these two pacific Island nations. It also indicates to us the enormous potential and synergies that can be developed between Fiji and PNG,” the Prime Minister said.

The launch comes at a time when the projected outlook by international credit rating agency Standards & Poor recently revised Fiji’s credit rating at the same time acknowledging the growth of the Fijian economy.

“The positive rating is no doubt an outcome of my government’s commitment to a sound and consistent fiscal framework, principles and practice of good governance and a reform agenda,” Commodore Bainimarama said.

“These initiatives and reforms encourage long term investment confidence, a sound financial sector and results in better and sustained livelihoods for all Fijians. This framework is already paying dividends. The redevelopment of the GPH is one such manifestation of this policy.”

While the re-development of the hotel will begin in November this year, the completion date of this project will be in the third quarter of 2013.

The GPH will have a total of 113 rooms with 5-star standard including a 600 seat state of the art conference facilities.

Built in 1914, the hotel has been idle for almost 15 years.

14-time champion, Ba faces a tough pathway in the 2011 Battle Of Giants after losing its opener 1-0 to Nadroga on Sunday.

The Men In Black now have to register wins in their remaining Pool 1 matches at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori to keep their hopes to clinching the title for the 15th time alive.

The absence of star players; Tuimasi Manuca, Alvin Singh, Petero Dauniseka, Kiniviliame Naika and Roneel Kumar was heavily felt against Nadroga but the players are expected to return when the tournament kicks off proper on Thursday.

Their next match is against defending champs and host Rewa and the result of this match will decide the fate of the Josaia Bukalidi coached side.

With a loss already in the bag, a win will give them a lifeline while a draw will keep them in with a slim chance as the pool also has the likes of Labasa and Nadroga who both have three points to their names after the opening round.

Ba team manager Iliyaz Khan remains positive of a comeback in the reminder of the matches and predicts tougher competition from the remaining oppositions.

According to him, they will iron out their mistakes and will be back with a force in Nausori.

Ba which holds the record in terms of number of BOG wins, last won the title in 2009 at Churchill Park after defeating neighbours Lautoka in the final through a Osea Vakatalesau goal.

Ba plays Rewa at 9.15pm on Thursday.

Bollywood hunk John Abraham will be seen with five actresses, including Chitrangada Singh and Prachi Desai, in a new movie “I, Me Aur Main”, to be directed by debutant Kapil Sharma, son of noted astronaut Rakesh Sharma.

Presented by Reliance Entertainment, the film is produced by Shrishti Behl Arya and Goldie Behl, the movie is a slice-of-life film about protagonist John and the women in his life.

“We’re happy to announce the title of the film ‘I, Me aur Main’ starring John Abraham directed by a very talented Kapil Sharma and presented by Reliance Entertainment. It’s a feel good film with something for everyone,” Arya said in a press statement.

Apart from Chitrangada and Prachi, actress Zareena Wahab will also be seen in the film, along with two other female leads, details of whom are currently under wraps.

“‘I Me Aur Main’ is an entertaining youthful film with a fresh and light touch. We are very pleased with the way the film is shaping and are confident it will deliver to the company’s vision of producing wholesome entertainers,” said Sanjeev Lamba, CEO of Reliance Entertainment.

The film will release early 2012.

The Republic of Malawi and the Republic of Fiji formalised diplomatic relations at a ceremony at the Fiji Mission to the United Nations in New York today.

Malawi’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Brian Bowler and his Fiji counterpart, Ambassador Peter Thomson, signed a joint communiqué establishing diplomatic relations on July 27. The signing ceremony was attended by Mr Esala Nayasi of the Fiji Mission and Mrs Janet Karim of the Malawi Mission.

In formalizing diplomatic relations, Fiji and Malawi have affirmed their desire to promote and strengthen relations of friendship and cooperation between their two countries in political, economic, cultural, humanitarian and other fields. Diplomatic relations have been formalised between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of other States.

In their discussions following the signing, the two ambassadors agreed to explore and facilitate opportunities for mutual and beneficial exchanges between their two countries.

In addition, they agreed to assist each other in areas of common interest at the United Nations.

Defending champion Rewa is likely to feature in the Battle Of Giants (BOG) tournament without their star Solomon Islands imports James Naka and George Lui.

The duo who have been part of Rewa's victorious squad from last season are tied up with national commitments with Naka also nursing a knee injury.

Rewa FA President Pranil Singh says the though the two have been registered for the tournament, their availability is in doubt.

"The two players have commitment with their national team and may not be able to represent Rewa in the BOG," he said.

"They are our key players and we would have loved to have them around but at the same time we also understand their commitment and obligation to their country."

"Rewa has a very good and capable mix of players in the squad and the two players will have equally good replacements in the tournament."

"We have majority of the players from last season remaining so there should not be a problem for us in the tournament."

The inclusion of Saani Issa, Lorima Dau, Nathan Kumar and Labasa youngster Misaele Draunibaka will certainly give Coach Marika Rodu a lot of options when it comes to naming his best team for matches in the tournament.

The Delta Tigers are in a pool of death with Ba, Lautoka, Labasa and Nadroga and open their campaign against their all time rivals, the Men In Black next Thursday at Ratu Cakobau Park.

New Zealand's All Blacks opened their rugby World Cup build-up with a lopsided 60-14 win over Fiji in Dunedin on Friday but failed to produce the dominating performance they sought.

After leading 32-0 at halftime, the All Blacks were held to only two more tries for most of the second spell, before they broke away to cross the line twice more in the closing minutes.

The shining light for the All Blacks was the performance of Colin Slade, who staked his claim to be the flyhalf understudy to Dan Carter after missing most of the Super 15 season when he twice broke his jaw.
In his first Test start, Slade posted 19 points with a try, four conversions and two penalties and steered the side around the park with confidence before he was substituted with 20 minutes to go.

But around him there were question marks over the All Blacks' performance as they struggled in the second spell against a side ranked 14th in the world and lacking several key players.

The forward domination of the first half faded as the game wore on and the decision-making was at times questionable as the All Blacks allowed themselves to be bustled by the Fijians' physical approach.The one tactic which did pay dividends was the chip kick over the Fijian backs, which provided three tries.

In a match billed as the definite farewell for the iconic Carisbrook venue after it won reprieves following three previous Tests also billed as the last, Slade received an early confidence boost with a penalty in the third minute.

Sitiveni Sivivatu, another player under the microscope, followed with the first try when the All Blacks moved the ball wide after sucking in the Fijian defence with a series of pick-and-goes.
Ma'a Nonu of the All Blacks.

Ma'a Nonu of the All Blacks. Photo: Getty Images

One of the Fijians' rare attacking periods in the first half turned to disaster for them when Zac Guildford latched on to a turnover ball and kicked downfield and caught fullback Iliesa Keresoni.

Quick ruck ball was fed to Slade who chipped over the Fijian defence, gathered in the ball and scored under the posts.

With 18 points on the board and the initial rustiness starting to wear away, the All Blacks stepped up the pace in the closing minutes of the first half with Andrew Hore and Adam Thomson both crossing for tries.
Ali Williams of the All Blacks makes a break.

Ali Williams of the All Blacks makes a break. Photo: Getty Images

But having spent most of the first half in defence, a fired-up Fiji took control of the second half and were rewarded when bruising backrower Sakiusa Matadigo broke from a scrum to run 50 metres before sending halfback Nemia Ranuku in for the try.

The All Blacks replied with two quick tries to Conrad Smith and Piri Weepu, both resulting from chip kicks by Weepu, and Fiji were successful with the same tactic when Vereniki Goneva kicked over Weepu and won the race for the ball over the line.

The All Blacks' superior fitness told as they regained the initiative in the closing stages and picked up a late 14 points with a penalty try and a try to Mils Muliaina, both converted by Carter.

Pictures :
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Government fully recognises that the general public deserves value for the money from taxes and charges they pay and they have the right to be consulted, attended to with courtesy and given the necessary information and opportunity to express their views in relation to government services says the Public Service Commission chairman Josefa Serulagilagi.

In addressing permanent secretaries at the launching of the Customer Service Charter Framework for the PSC this week, Mr Serulagilagi said the commission needed to concentrate on satisfying customer expectations.

This will ensure that both management and employees are more responsive and focus on people and not just systems.

“Today’s launch is another stepping stone in our endeavor to enhance public sector’s efficiency, performance effectiveness and service delivery,” Mr Serulagilagi said.

“The onus lies on you as leaders to motivate your teams to work within your resource parameters and deliver to the optimum.”


With Government committed to improving public sector, Mr Serulagilagi pointed out that Pillar 4 of the Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress directed the introduction of Service Charters in all ministries and departments, which will outline services to be provided and the performance standard to be met.

“A customer charter enables customers to check their expectations against what is offered and provides a mechanism for giving feedback if expectations are not met. It also enables the organization to describe the way it allocates its resources and explain to customers the realistic level of service they may expect,” the PSC chairman said.

The adoption of the Service Charter is in line with objectives of the PSC of the 21st century, which is to nuture an attitude of service excellence in meeting the needs of the public with high standards of quality, courtesy and responsiveness.