1. AUSTRALIAN HEALTH ASSISTANCE TO BOOST FIJI’S DENGUE RESPONSE – A donation of $1.25 million by the Australian Government will boost the efforts of the Fijian Government as it continues to address dengue fever cases in the country.
2. FIJI JOINS GLOBAL COMMUNITY IN CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL FOREST DAY – Protecting and sustainably managing Fiji’s trees, forests and vital ecosystem requires collective work and effort from every Fijian.
3. NEW WATER PROJECT TO BENEFIT 500 NORTHERN STUDENTS – More than 500 students in the province of Macuata will soon benefit from a new water development project that will begin later this year in the Northern Division.
4. HEALTH WALK TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE – In the efforts to reduce the high incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases in Fiji, the Health Ministry in partnership Westpac Fiji and Fiji Physiotherapy Association is promoting “Westpac Morning Walk”, which is an annual event.
5. TRADE GROWTH SPURS MELANESIA BUSINESS COUNCIL MOVE – Plans are now underway to establish the Fiji-Vanuatu Business Council says Fiji’s non – resident High Commissioner to Vanuatu His Excellency Romanu Tikotikoca.
6. TAILEVU PROVINCE REMINDED ON WATER CONSERVATION AT INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATIONS – World Water Day is about what you will do in 2014 and beyond to promote sustainable practices in the realm of water and energy sectors as part of our community obligations.”
7. FIJIANS ENCOURAGED TO CONTINUE WITH NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN – STAKEHOLDERS involved in the clean-up campaign are aiming higher in the litter and waste collection in tomorrow’s round of Government’s effort to curb the spread of dengue.
8. POLICY TRAINING TO BOOST CIVIL SERVICE OUTPUTS – The Public Service Commission (PSC) is working in conjunction with the Pacific Islands Centre for Public Administration (PICPA) of USP to conduct workshops on Public Policy Analysis.
1 AUSTRALIAN HEALTH ASSISTANCE TO BOOST FIJI’S DENGUE RESPONSE
A donation of $1.25 million by the Australian Government will boost the efforts of the Fijian Government as it continues to address dengue fever cases in the country.
Fiji’s Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma said this timely assistance will now be channelled through the Fiji Health Sector Program which is an Australian-funded program.
“The Ministry of Health will focus on dengue prevention and control through heightened communication and advocacy to the public, advocacy on the clean-up campaigns, source reduction of mosquito breeding sites, focus on good clinical management of patients and provision of adequate resources, supplies and consumables,” Dr Sharma said.
He said the ministry has devised a response plan which will focus on strengthening dengue surveillance, dengue clinical management, dengue laboratory reporting and management, strengthen public health response, coordination and logistics for outbreak and improve communication.
He added the ministry has prepared a response plan which will focus on strengthening dengue surveillance, dengue clinical management, dengue laboratory reporting and management, strengthen public health response, coordination and logistics for outbreak and improve communication.
Today’s donation saw Minister Sharma receive the financial assistance from the Australian Acting Head of Mission, Mr Glenn Miles who also presented this on behalf of the Australian Government.
Meanwhile the latest statistics on dengue recorded a total of 15,446 clinically suspected cases with most cases in the Central division and an increase in the Western division.
-ENDS-
2 FIJI JOINS GLOBAL COMMUNITY IN CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL FOREST DAY
Protecting and sustainably managing Fiji’s trees, forests and vital ecosystem requires collective work and effort from every Fijian.
This was highlighted by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests, Inia Seruiratu, at the celebrations commemorating the International Day of Forests.
Held at the Thurston Gardens in Suva this morning, the event recognises global concerns on the role of forests in sustaining lives and communities.
Speaking at the event, Minister Seruiratu said that raising awareness on the conservation of forests also plays an important role in supporting communities.
“Government has always allocated significant amount of funds for raising awareness on the importance of forests in providing for our livelihoods, and also for the implementation of informal training programs to forest owning communities on how to make better management decisions with regard to the utilisation of their forest resources,” Mr Seruiratu said.
“Fiji has a total land area of 1.827 million hectares of which 58 per cent is covered with forests, consisting of 85.3 per cent natural forests, 2.4 per cent pine plantations and 5 per cent of mahogany plantations.
“Forest degradation due to a number of issues ranging from economic, social and demographic, were identified in 2009 as a major issue posing a great threat to the sustainability of Fiji’s forest ecosystem,” Minister Seruiratu said.
To address these issues, the Fijian Government will also review and strengthen policies and legislations to better protect local forests.
Today, celebrations took place in other parts of the country. In Lautoka, students from the University of Fiji planted more than 100 mangrove trees at the Lautoka.
Government’s Western Division Forestry officer Rafaele Raboiliku said students from Lautoka wanted to do something for the environment such as plating mangroves along the shoreline.
“So they requested if they could plant mangroves which would contribute their share to mark the International Forests Day and at the same time also assist in efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change,” he said.
-ENDS-
3 NEW WATER PROJECT TO BENEFIT 500 NORTHERN STUDENTS
More than 500 students in the province of Macuata will soon benefit from a new water development project that will begin later this year in the Northern Division.
For students of Nadogo Central College in Macuata, the lack of adequate water supply has often led to the disruption of their classes. For years, the students and the entire school have had to depend on informal water supply including boreholes.
This week, the Northern Division’s Commissioner Alipate Bolalevu said that the new development to be carried out by the Water Authority of Fiji will now bring relief to students at the school, especially for students who are boarding there.
The Authority’s Regional Manager Northern Romulusi Mataitoga said that the project involves a 100mm main extension in Taganikula and Wainikoro.
He said that the $210,000-funded project commits the Fijian Government towards providing basic water supply to communities especially those in rural or isolated locations.
“This is to extend coverage and improve supply of water across the Wainikoro River, to the government stations and Nadogo Central College”, Mataitoga said.
He added that while the project is set to benefit the students, it will also impact the lives of 100 households surrounding the Nadogo area.
Nadogo Central College principal Sanjay Prasad commended this move saying that decision by Government is one that will be welcomed not just by the students but by their parents and guardians.
“We are currently using bore holes and this will be an added service so we are looking forward to this service.”
-ENDS-
4 HEALTH WALK TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
In the efforts to reduce the high incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases in Fiji, the Health Ministry in partnership Westpac Fiji and Fiji Physiotherapy Association is promoting “Westpac Morning Walk” which is an annual event.
Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma said globally 6 per cent of deaths each year were attributed to physical inactivity.
“Move for health basically encourages people to participate in physical activity and this will contribute to healthy living among individuals,” Dr Sharma said.
“Non-Communicable Diseases has risen over the past years with diabetes at the top but to prevent this we need to eat healthy and exercise regularly.
“People should take ownership of their health and ensure they live a healthy lifestyle.”
Westpac Bank General Manager Adrian Hughes said the annual walk was to create awareness with the aim of combating NCD’s such as diabetes, heart attack and rheumatic heart problems.
“Through these initiatives we are able to create solutions on how we can combat NCD and encourage people to live healthy,” Mr Hughes said.
The event will be held on Saturday, the 29th of March at various locations around the country –Suva, Nadi, Lautoka, Tavua, Levuka and Labasa .
Members of the public will be able to access health checks, exercise advise by qualified physiotherapists.
He commended the Ministry of Health for its continuous support in combating NCD and has encouraged every Fijian to be part of the event.
-ENDS-
5 TRADE GROWTH SPURS MELANESIA BUSINESS COUNCIL MOVE
Plans are now underway to establish the Fiji-Vanuatu Business Council says Fiji’s non – resident High Commissioner to Vanuatu Romanu Tikotikoca.
Tikotikoca said Fiji’s growing relations with its Melanesian neighbors and in particular the Melanesian Spearhead Group has prompted the Fijian Government to look into establishing a council that will foster trade between Fiji and Vanuatu.
“The establishment of the business council augurs well with the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s (MSG) vision to increase trade among the region,” Tikotikoca said.
“There are platforms that have been established by our leaders and we need to take advantage of them through various initiatives such as the business council.”
HE Tikotikoca says trade was envisaged to grow even further following the establishment of the Fiji –PNG Business Council.
-ENDS-
6 TAILEVU PROVINCE REMINDED ON WATER CONSERVATION AT INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATIONS
“World Water Day is about what you will do in 2014 and beyond to promote sustainable practices in the realm of water and energy sectors as part of our community obligations.”
This was the message highlighted by Minister for Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Timoci Natuva at the World Water Day 2014 celebrations celebrated around the country today.
The United Nations has declared “2014 as the International Year of Water and Energy” and the local theme is “Save Water: Save Energy”.
“This theme focuses on choices concerning the supply, distribution, price and use of water and energy and its impact on people’s lives”, Minister Natuva said.
“This theme signifies and promotes the close relationship between water and energy and their dependence on one another”.
The Minister said that while the demand for fresh water and energy will continue to increase significantly over the coming years, government will commit to meeting these demands for the benefit of Fijians. He added that Fiji’s constitution now guarantees access to water as a right for every Fijian.
The celebrations held at Gatward Park in Korovou, Tailevu also saw the participation of schools from surrounding communities.
Ratu Kadavulevu School Headboy Mosese Tikicidre said that the event was a good reminder for students to always use water wisely.
“We often take water for granted here in Fiji as it is abundant in supply compared to many other countries that do not have water in many areas. In Fiji, we often waste a lot of water and do not realize how precious it is,” Mosese said.
-ENDS-
7 FIJIANS ENCOURAGED TO CONTINUE WITH NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN
STAKEHOLDERS involved in the clean-up campaign are aiming higher in the litter and waste collection in tomorrow’s round of Government’s effort to curb the spread of dengue.
In its third week, the Ministry of Health organised clean-up will aim to continue the record collection of waste with the stakeholders gathering close to 67 tonnes of waste last week.
National Cleanup Committee Member, Dr Elia Lawena said this amount was collected in the central, western, eastern and northern division with a large number of people turning up.
“Five municipalities are also collaborating with the clean up and this weekend the Suva-Nausori council will be utilising the cutters/shredders for old tyres to be taken to the land fill,” he said.
There have been 1477 participants nationwide with 20 departments, three non-government organisations, eight corporate bodies, six schools and 10 community groups participating in the clean-up.
Individuals and groups can join the clean-up in the following areas tomorrow:
Ø Suva/Nasinu/Lami- Walu Bay, Qauia settlement, Laucala Beach Estate, Kinoya, Nadera, Kalabu Industrial Tax Free
Ø Navua- Nasasa
Ø Korovou- Wainikama and Naimasimasi
Ø Nausori- Colo-i-Suva, Sawani settlement, Nausori industrial
Ø Sigatoka- Kulukulu, Industrial Area 3
Ø Nadi- Votualevu, Industrial Area 3
Ø Lautoka- Saru back road, Velovelo Industrial
Ø Ba- Vatulaulau stage 1 and 2, Industrial Area 3
Ø Tavua- Lausa, Industrial Area 3
Ø Ra- Volivoli settlement, Industrial Area 3
Ø Macuata- Batinikama settlement, Vunimoli Settlement, Industrial Area 3
Ø Cakaudrove- Naverea Heights, Naverevere Heights, Buca settlement
Ø Taveuni- Lovonivonu village
Ø Bua- Nasolo Village, Nabouwalu Village, Nabouwalu Town Area & Government Stations
Ø Lomaiviti- Rukuruku village
Ø Lomaloma- Boitaci village
Ø Kadavu- Vunisea Government station
The clean-up, which has been running for the last two consecutive Saturdays, comes to an end on March 29.
-ENDS-
8 POLICY TRAINING TO BOOST CIVIL SERVICE OUTPUTS
The Public Service Commission (PSC) is working in conjunction with the Pacific Islands Centre for Public Administration (PICPA) of USP to conduct workshops on Public Policy Analysis.
These workshops will target Middle Managers and Senior Officers in the Civil Services who are responsible for conducting public policy analysis in their ministries.
The focus of the Workshops are on:
- · rationale for government intervention;
- · actors and institutions of public policy analysis;
- · process of policy making;
- · public policy tools/instruments;
- · models of policy analysis; and,
- · communication of public policy.
Public Service permanent secretary, Mr Parmesh Chand, said that the aim of the workshops is to refresh and strengthen the skills of policy analysts in the Civil Service and to build the capacity to enable these policy analysts to adopt a systematic and flexible approach towards policy and advice.
At the completion of the workshops, participants are expected to apply public policy analysis models to their line of work; produce sound policy analysis reports/submissions; prepare policy briefs and communicate public policy.
The workshops are scheduled for half-a-day sessions in Lautoka from the 1st -3rd April and in Suva on the 8th -10th April.
-ENDS-
Find Ministry of Information on Facebook and be one of the 20,600 people who “like” our page. Updated news, picture and events.
Find our National Archives page on Facebook and be part of the growing numbers who are joining us on Facebook.
For more information on Government events and decisions log onto the official Government portal www.fiji.gov.fj