- FIJI ATTENDS WORLD METEOROLOGICAL MEETING IN GENEVA – The important relationship between the World Meteorological Organization and Climate Change challenges was highlighted at the opening of 17th World Meteorological Organisation Congress in Geneva.
- MINISTER VISITS FIRE VICTIMS – The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation is carrying out an assessment to determine the assistance that will be provided to the families who lost their homes during a fire at Jittu Estate last week.
- NEW DIALYSIS CENTRE IN THE NORTH – Dialysis patients in the northern division will now be able to use a fully operational dialysis centre scheduled to open next month.
- PACIFIC WORKSHOP ON NUCLEAR SECURITY – A four day workshop on an integrated nuclear security support plan is underway in Nadi to further enhance and strengthen the Pacific capabilities on nuclear security.
- MINISTRY TO BOOST RURAL SPORTS INVOLVEMENT – Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports Mr Josefa Sania yesterday handed over basic sports equipment to Namau Primary School in Nabouwalu, Bua with the aim of boosting sports involvement in rural areas.
- FIJI ATTENDS WORLD METEOROLOGICAL MEETING IN GENEVA
The important relationship between the World Meteorological Organization and Climate Change challenges was highlighted at the opening of 17th World Meteorological Organisation Congress in Geneva.
WMO Secretary General, Mr. Michel Jarraud in his opening remarks spoke of the Sendai Framework for Change 2015 to 2030, and of the need for the WMO to respond effectively to the demands of natural disasters.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon addressed the congress by video, emphasizing the plight of those countries which were suffering the adverse effects of climate change. Ki-Moon said that this was a time for designing an ambitious future for all and it was not a question of expense but one of investment.
Fiji is represented by the Permanent Representative for the WMO, Mr Ravind Kumar, Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Nazhat Shameem Khan, and other members of the Fiji Mission in Geneva.
The WMO World Congress will continue for three weeks. The Pacific Islands WMO delegations will be hosted to an afternoon tea at the Fiji Mission, in the course of the congress.
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- MINISTER VISITS FIRE VICTIMS
The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation is carrying out an assessment to determine the assistance that will be provided to the families who lost their homes during a fire at Jittu Estate last week.
Following her visit yesterday, Minister Rosy Akbar assured the families of assistance through relevant social welfare programs.
“The Ministry in such cases, carries out an assessment and then avails the assistance through Fire Victims Relief Assistance grant, which provides much-needed relief for families who lose their homes in a fire and who do not have any insurance,” Minister Akbar said.
According to one of the family members, Mr Richard Elder, they have been devastated after losing everything when their house burnt down.
“There were five families that have been living here for the last 4 years. Four of the families were actually renting there and have children. We are glad that no one was injured, however we have lost all our household possessions,” Mr Elder said.
“I am glad that Madam Minister came all this way to visit us, it gives us assurance that we will be assisted by the government to rebuild our lives. The families affected have also visited social welfare office to seek advice on how we can be further assisted.”
NFA chief executive officer John O Connor said the cause and estimated cost of the fire are yet to be determined.
Meanwhile, in Parliament last week, the Minister for Local Government Hon. Parveen Kumar said that those families whose homes were destroyed in an accidental fire, and whose annual household income was below $50,000, had proper land documents and whose house was not insured, qualified for state assistance.
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- NEW DIALYSIS CENTRE IN THE NORTH
Dialysis patients in the northern division will now be able to use a fully operational dialysis centre scheduled to open next month.
Currently, dialysis patients are being catered for within the Labasa Hospital at a temporary location with space constraints.
There are currently 12 patients who after having catheter insertion in Suva are able to utilize the dialysis services. Patients in the north will benefit from the localised centre as this will prove to be time and cost efficient. Previously patients had to travel to Suva for Dialysis treatment.
Final inspections and approvals including electricity installation are expected to be completed over the next few weeks.
The Hon. Assistant Minister for Health & Medical Services Mrs Veena Bhatnagar said, “We are grateful to the private public partnership. This further complements the work that the Government and Health Ministry does”.
“The work that Labasa Hospital Board of Visitors and Festival of the Friendly North has done is commendable. This shows their commitment towards establishing efficient and effective health services”.
Meanwhile, the Labasa Hospital Board of Visitors will be donating additional 20 wooden benches for use in the outpatients department to accommodate seating capacity at the Labasa hospital.
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- PACIFIC WORKSHOP ON NUCLEAR SECURITY
A four – day workshop on an integrated nuclear security support plan is underway in Nadi to further enhance and strengthen the Pacific capabilities on nuclear security.
Attended by representatives and security experts from five countries, the workshop aims to create more awareness on nuclear energy and assist regional countries in advocating for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The workshop was opened by the Minister for Defense Timoci Lesi Natuva is being facilitated by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
“For our region in the Pacific, we do not possess nuclear power nor is there any general move to acquiring nuclear power or nuclear weapons. This being said, in the Pacific we have been very strong advocates for the peaceful use of nuclear energy as we have seen first-hand the harmful effects of nuclear power with the testing that went on in Tahiti, Christmas Island and in the northern Pacific,” he said.
“The Pacific, relatively free of nuclear energy sources and weapons does possess radioactive sources which are used in our medical, mining, industrial and academic sectors. Thus there is still a need for our countries to be mindful of the threat that these sources can pose if they are not securely transported, stored, used and disposed of. The fact of the matter is that these radioactive sources can also be weaponized and used against our people if they fall into the wrong hands.”
He said that Fiji along with other nations in the region have seen firsthand of the destructive strength of nuclear as they had been part of a nuclear testing on Christmas Island.
“In fact, Fiji has just over this past few months provided financial compensation for more than 200 of our naval personnel who were used as guinea pigs in the testing that went on in Christmas Island during the 1960’s,” said Minister Natuva.
“This workshop is therefore timely and relevant and that a key objective of this workshop is to ensure that the participating States leave at the end of this workshop with a fair idea of how to go about developing their own INSSP.
“For Fiji, and my Ministry in particular, we have committed to developing our INSSP in our 2015 Annual Corporate Plan and hope to have this completed by October 2015.”
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- MINISTRY TO BOOST RURAL SPORTS INVOLVEMENT
Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports Mr Josefa Sania yesterday handed over basic sports equipment to Namau Primary School in Nabouwalu, Bua with the aim of boosting sports involvement in rural areas.
“The ministry is committed to boosting its awareness and increase sports involvement at all levels of the community especially in the rural areas,” said Mr Sania.
“The ministry as a sport development agency will continue to provide assistance when and where necessary especially to rural schools.”
“This remains to be the ministry’s prerogative and it will do all it can to equally distribute assistance to schools in the rural areas,” he added.
School Head Teacher Rajesh Kumar while receiving the assistance said; “Our school is a multi-racial school and is the only school in Bua that is participating in all competitive sports at primary school level.”
“This donation from the Ministry of Youth and Sports will be a boost to the students and we are very grateful to the Permanent Secretary for the gesture,” Mr Kumar said.
Mr Sania highlighted that young school children should be made aware of the many benefits of sports and the need to stay active and healthy.
“There are many raw talents available in the rural communities and we strive to provide the necessary platforms to identify and develop untapped talents,” Mr Sania said.
He added that the Government through the Ministry is committed to not only provide equipment but also provide the necessary facilities that will harness sports development throughout Fiji.
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