Monday, October 20, 2008

Fiji Water-Diversifying Its Core Business Or Shrewd Assault On Land?


In a follow up to a SiFM post on Yaqara, it appears that Fiji Water is centering its cross hairs, on the control of Yaqara Pastoral company.

Based on a legal case Gilmour V Kubs, it appears that Fiji Water had long desired to establish complete domination, over the land in question, regardless of the 'third-rail' debate over the ownership.

Fiji Times article.
Fiji Live article.
Fiji Daily Post article.

Radio Fiji article, quotes from Fiji Water's General Manager, David Roth, who expressed disappointment over the Interim Government's decision to re-open calls, for the expression of interest.



Fiji Parliament Hansard on the cattle ranch programs in Fiji, including descriptions of the interested parties.

Invest in Fiji blog posting also announces the news of Fiji Water's intentions and provides a brief mention of Yaqara Pastoral Company's recent financial record.

However, it has become apparently clear that Fiji Water's decision to seek control of Yaqara Pastoral Company, was not entirely due to its flourishing cattle ranch, but simply based on the dubious fact that Fiji Water pays Yaqara Pastoral, back-room-deal formulated and under-reported royalties, for the use of the water. In fact, by operating Yaqara Pastoral company, Fiji Water could omit royalties altogether and since it would control the expenditure and the revenue for Yaqara Pastoral, no one would be the wiser.

To have Fiji Water operate and manage the company it pays royalties to, is a rather incestuous financial arrangement, that does not bode well for the public of Fiji.
It is now a global concern, in light of the global financial decline that, private interests should not take precedence over the public concerns and Fiji Water's phony diversification scheme, should be viewed by all, as an extension of this financial skulduggery.

Another Fiji Parliament Hansard, also covers the discussions related Fiji Water royalties and tax concessions given to the company.







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Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Charter the only way to democracy: PM

Support for a People’s Charter and not pressure from within or the international community will guarantee Fiji’s return to democratic rule, says interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.

read more | digg story

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Fiji High Court dismisses Qarase case

Fiji’s High Court has dismissed the case brought by deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase that questioned the legality of the 2006 military takeover.The ruling on notice comes seven months after arguments on the case ended in the High Court.

read more | digg story

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Poor links with Fiji part of wider Pacific problem

The Pacific has always been our backyard, and a friendly place that we've used for restful holidays to ''get away from it all''. As a result we took the tiny island states for granted, even when they were beginning to fall apart from internal conflicts and violence.

read more | digg story

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Methodist Church Of Fiji's Views Won’t Be Entertained

Bainimarama said for too long the Methodist Church of Fiji and the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) has been politicized by ethno-nationalists and this needs to stop.

read more | digg story

US Wants To Buy [Fiji] Land At ‘Cabbage Plot' Price


The United States Government bought a home to construct a rear entrance for its new embassy site.

A Tubou Street resident said they were offered $50,000 for their home which was worth more."The $50,000 is not enough because Suva is getting crowded and it's hard to find land[...]

read more | digg story

Saturday, October 04, 2008


Former Fiji P.M, Laisenia Qarase claimed in a Fiji Village article that, SDL has no political links with the Methodist Church of Fiji.
This video (posted below) checks the accuracy of Qarase's claim.






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Friday, October 03, 2008

NZ to Fiji- Don't Trade With China.

FIJI should forget about its Look North Policy and instead stick with its traditional trading partners.New Zealand trade commissioner to Fiji Michael Greenslade, describing Fiji's relationship with China said: "In terms of China, what we have seen is a significant decline in China's support of Fiji's economy through importing Fiji's products.

read more | digg story

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Digicel's Fiji Splash.


In a follow up to an earlier SiFM post "Who Has The Fastest Downloads in the Pacific", Fiji's telecommunication sector returns to the fore.

Digicel's Fiji launch has undoubtedly altered the local telecommunication's landscape and according to Coconut Wireless, a new day is dawning.

Fiji TV video(posted below) of Digicel launch.




Wireless Federation article, claims that Vodaphone is going crazy about the new sense of rivalry, that has infused the Pacific island nation, to the point of overshadowing the political discussions.

Coconut Wireless, further outlines that Vodaphone has resorted to price slashes and offering a smorgasbord of plans:

Already, Vodafone has started slashing rates to compete and in unprecendented moves, has even responded to widespread customer complaints about SMS promotions. Offering competitive pricing, excellent customer support, and the genuine motivation to shake up the market, it will not take long for Digicel to make a serious dent into Vodafone’s business.



One interesting image, which was posted to Blog: Failed paradise sums up the new player and the competition, showing Vodaphone staff members posing with Digicel's contracted entertainers.




Other unassuming and subtle changes was made to the corporate image of FINTEL (Fiji's international communication's provider). Coupled with its new logo, FINTEL's Chairman and current Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor announced a spanking new vision: 1 MB per household, in a Fiji Live article.

FINTEL's vision of 1MB, is itself an unclear premise, because it does not outline or clarify whether the figure is primarily for download or upload speeds.
Does the new FINTEL vision, mean a data cap of 1MB (size of a high resolution image) per house, per day?

While the decision to increase connectivity within Fiji is a grand plan, FINTEL's subsidiary, Kidanet would probably be the heavy lifter of this vision; in spite of being among the last of FINTEL's entities to adapt the new logo and change performance.
The consumers of Fiji certainly hope that these changes in FINTEL are genuine in terms of service and not merely a cosmetic makeover.






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