Blog Archives

The MISSING TRIO CHIEFS. Whatever happened to their 'nominations'? Siromi Turaga, 'Six names nominated to lead the GCC - Ratus' Cakobau, Lalabalavu, Seruvakula, Saukuru, Adi Tabakaucoro, Ro Teimumu KEPA

29/2/2024

Missing: Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu and Ro Kepa are not mentioned in any news reports. Whatever happened to their nominations?

Source: Fijilive, 28 February 2024

*Ratu Viliame got 27 votes. Meanwhile, Ratu Meli Saukuru the nominee from the Burebasaga Confederacy was nominated for first Vice Chairperson with 10 votes and the Tovata Confederacy nominee, Ratu Jone Golea Lalabalavu became the second Vice Chair with 8 votes.

BIMAN PRASAD under probe by acting SOE over a slew of alleged false and non-declarations under Political Parties Act 2014. Wife's links, FNFP contributions, Travel Allowances, Company Shares, Global Girmit Centre

28/2/2024

Ms Ana Mataiciwa,
Acting Supervisor Fiji Elections,
Fiji Elections Office,
Suva, Fiji

12th February 2024.

Dear Ms Mataiciwa,

Re: Party Leader- Biman Prasad- False and Non Declaration under the Political Parties
Act 2014.

I am writing this letter to lodge an official complaint regarding one Biman Prasad who is the Party Leader of the National Federation Party which is currently in the Coalition Government.

I note that Biman Prasad has declared that his income being $188,000 per annum, however he failed to declare the FNFP contribution as it added on top of his salary under the Parliamentary Remuneration Act 2014, excluding his personal contribution as required by law (Attached as exhibit 1- Parliamentary Remuneration Act 2014). I state the following:

1. Under section 24 (1)(A) (B) (i) which stipulate one must declare total assets whether in Fiji or Abroad (including money and other property) in their possession or under their control. Therefore, I argue that FNPF contributions and any funds is considered personal property as one can have access to funds as stipulated in the withdrawal provisions of the fund being FNPF. Therefore, Biman Prasad should have declared his contributions and the amount held by FNPF. I note the case precedent used by Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum whereby in one of his previous declarations he declared his FNFP declarations. Therefore, the same must apply in this case.

2. I note that Biman Prasad failed to declare his travel allowances during his overseas travel and the amounts he received. That evidence is in office and can be verified upon your perusal of his declaration.

3. I noted that Biman Prasad failed to declare that he is the Governor of the Asian Development Bank in Fiji. As that position is not Gazette to him under the Parliamentary Remuneration Act 2014 it is thus separate to his Minister of Finance Post- which must be declared under section 24 (1) (ab) (iv) of the Political Parties Act where a person must declare any directorship or other office in a corporation or other organisation whether in Fiji or Abroad held by each of them. In support I attach exhibit 2- Asian Development Bank Documents stating that Biman Prasad is Governor of the Reserve Bank.

4. I note that Biman Prasad did not declare that his wife one Dr Rajni Chand is the trustee of the Global Girmit Institute and that it facilitated the funds of $200,000 given by the Coalition Government. The Not for Profit Organisation was re-registered in 2023, after it deregistered in February 2022 for failing to supply its financial statements as required under the laws of Fiji. The period of re-registration falls within the required period upon which Biman Prasad is required to declare in his 2023 Financial Declaration (Attached is exhibit 3- Global Institute Deed of Trust and
Registration Documents).

5. I note that Biman Prasad did not declare his connection to Ganesh Chand and Hirdesh Sharma whom are the registered Trustees of the Global Girmit Institute upon whom received $200,000 of Tax payers funds. This is a breach under section 24

(a) (b) (iii) of the Political Parties Act. I submit that no tender was called in relation to the event organisation.

6. I note that Biman Prasad declared that he owns 50 percent shares in Lotus Construction Pte Limited, however upon obtaining the registration documents and the Article of Association – it was established that Biman Prasad only has a 5 percent share in Louts Construction and not the 50 percent share he claims in his declaration (Attached as exhibit 4- Lotus Construction Pte Limited Registration Documents and the Article of Association).

The document was re-lodged in 2022 with the date of the Article of Association dated and signed in 2014 and upon which the re- registration occurred in 2022.

7. I note that one of the directors of Lotus Construction upon which Biman Prasad has shares in is Sunil Chand (Please refer to exhibit 4). Biman Prasad did not declare the business connection with Sunil Chand who has the same Lotus Construction company in Australia thus being a breach under section 24 (a) (b) (iii) of the Political Parties Act 2014 (Attached is exhibit 5- Louts Construction registration in Australia).

8. Biman Prasad’s spouse Dr Rajni Prasad [Chand] did not declare that she is Chairperson to Femlink Pacific (Please note she has held this position 2009 to date), therefore being a breach under 24 (1a) (d) of the Political Parties Act (Attached is exhibit 6- Femlink Document stipulating that Dr Rajni Prasad is the Chairman of the organisation). Dr Rajni Chand may/may not be receiving a salary from this post nonetheless it was a non-declaration.

9. I note that Biman Prasad and Dr Rajni Chand have not declared under section 24 (1) (a,b (iii) and 24 (1A) (c) of the Political Parties Act 2014 their business transaction to one Dr Ganesh Chand who is the co-trustee of the Global Girmit Institutre as previously mentioned. However, due to the business transaction the fact must be taken into account is that Biman Prasad allocated $1 million to Pacific Polytech whose Advisor is Dr Ganesh Chand. Please note that there was no tender process in line with the Laws of Fiji. Please note that Pacific Polytech has not submitted that their Audit reports as required. The funds was transferred in 2022 to Pacific Polytech.

I therefore submit this complaint for the breaches under the Political Parties Act 2014 upon which I understand that whilst some elements of this complaint cannot be handled by your office.

You must, therefore, refer the matter to FICAC under section 18 of the Political Parties Act.

*Complainant's name withheld by Fijileaks.

Fijileaks: Sunil Chand of Lotus Construction is Biman Prasad's business partner and cousin from Labasa. He resides in Sydney, Australia. We understand they have a motel in Legalega, Nadi. Also, apartments in Grantham Rd, Raiwaqa. Krishil Kumar is Prasad's nephew at HFC.
We understand Chand and Prasad are planning to venture into new project in Suva soon.
Since Biman Prasad never responds to our questions, we decided not to obtain comments from him regarding the allegations to the acting SOE.

From Fijileaks Archives

POURING OIL ON FIRE. Fiji Times and NFP lawyer's incendiary TWEET as DEFENCE CLUB was on FIRE. Richard NAIDU, 'Chief suspect: The Fiji Women's Rights Movement'. We were inundated with calls to verify claim

27/2/2024

Fijilleaks Founding Editor-in-Chief and former general secretary of the now defunct Journalists' Association of Fiji:
'In the good old golden days of Fiji journalism, we would find ourselves interviewing someone of interest over a pint of Fiji Bitter at the Defence Club in Suva. And if we were looking for Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, we knew where to find him.'

ALL FIRED UP AND CELEBRATING DEFEAT OF THE FIJI FIRST PARTY (Below)

Smouldering Question. After fire at MH Walu Bay warehouse was put out in 2018, FRU's ex- bosses John O'Connor and Daniel Whippy front court. Does the fire finally shed light on rot at the heart of Bainimarama's FRU?

25/2/2024

John O’Connor (left), and Daniel Whippy in court

The front-page of Saturday’s Fiji Times and Sunday’s Fiji Sun showed a remarkable picture: two senior figures in the business community on the footsteps of court who, between them, had once commanded Fiji rugby and whose influence and vote within the international game had seen them feted and applauded wherever they went. They left the magistrates’ court each on $10,000 bail having been charged by FICAC under Sections 45 and 139 of the Crimes Act of 2009.

Former FRU chief executive John O’Connor and former FRU deputy chairman Daniel Whippy appeared in front of the Suva Magistrate’s Court on Friday to answer allegations of amending a warehouse fire report for the purpose of gain. The charges relate to O’Connor’s separate role as chairman of the National Fire Authority and Whippy’s day job as a director of W R Carpenters (South Pacific) Pte. Limited.

Neither the Times nor Sun’s reporting indicated whether a plea was taken.

Properties belonging to Carpenters have suffered a number of high-profile fires: Morris Hedstrom’s supermarket in downtown Suva was severely damaged in December 2005; MH in Labasa in May 2009; MH Nadi was destroyed in May 2013; MH in Nabua in October 2015, and then there was the MH warehouse fire in Walu Bay in 2018 which is the subject of the current FICAC charges.

In terms of Fiji rugby, O’Connor was appointed CEO of the FRU in February 2016, leaving his job as CEO of the NFA to take up the equivalent position at Rugby House. He served until abruptly resigning in January last year, six months after three colleagues in Valekau’s finance section were terminated and O’Connor took voluntary leave.

Whippy was elected to the FRU board in 2013, nominated by the Suva Rugby Union, and served right the way through to April last year when all directors were removed after the Government takeover of the FRU that resulted in Fiji’s suspension from World Rugby’s decision-making Council. Whippy would have been one of the board members to confirm O’Connor’s appointment, after the previous CEO Radrodro Tabualevu, son of the legendary rugby coach Inoke, quit in late 2015.

The figure linking O’Connor and Whippy’s Fiji rugby journey was Francis Kean, the brother-in-law of former Fiji prime minister and 2006 coup leader Frank Bainimarama. Kean was chairman of the NFA from 2012 when O’Connor was CEO and it was Kean’s Suva Rugby Union that nominated Whippy in 2013 to the FRU board. When Kean quit the NFA’s chairman role, the chairmanship went to O’Connor.

Fijileaks has constantly raised the spectre of corruption, self-dealing and nepotism within the FRU when Bainimarama served as the body’s president. The FRU’s constitution gave the country’s prime minister the authority to appoint one member of the FRU’s board. Following the Bainimarama government’s takeover of the FRU in 2011 – when he threatened to withhold any government funding of the national team’s RWC campaign unless the elected board resigned – Bainimarama’s nominee was also allowed to be the FRU’s chairman by board members who were too timorous to say otherwise.

That meant, when Kean became chairman of the FRU in 2015, he was doubly-blessed with Bainimarama expectation – as his brother-in-law and also the person who nominated him onto the board in the first place.

When Kean arrived on the FRU board in 2015, Whippy was already a board member. The most pressing issue then was the foul play being committed by FRU naming sponsor Vodafone who had been given a sweetheart deal by the previous FRU chairman [and Bainimarama nominee] Filimoni Waqabaca. As Fijileaks explained it:

Following a boisterous Annual General Meeting in April [2015] in which more than a dozen binding resolutions were passed, all deeply critical of the Vodafone-led consortium, the FRU sent an angry 5-page letter to Vodafone Fiji in June. This followed the failure of the mobile phone company to account for any of the promised $5m promotional support and spend which it was contracted to deliver in 2014, the first year of the agreement. In subsequent correspondence Vodafone flat out refused to itemise any element of expenditure but claimed $5m had definitely been spent.

The Vodafone-led consortium sponsorship was announced in early 2014 by the then-chairman Filimone Waqabaca (who was the PM’s nominee to the Board between 2013-2014). He and Vodafone confirmed a value of $40m over five years. In reality the cash component was only a little over $3m per year, less than what rivals Digicel had offered, and the deal was VAT-inclusive, which knocked a further 20 percent off the cash income. More than $5m per year was contracted to be delivered by the consortium partners in the form of loosely worded promotional and marketing support and product.

The June 12 2015 letter sent in the name of the FRU chief executive officer Radrodro Tabualevu was emailed and hand-delivered to Vodafone CEO Pradeep Lal. In the letter the FRU gave Vodafone a 30-day termination notice on the controversial 5-year $40m sponsorship agreement, alleging that Vodafone was in breach for failing to account for more than $5 million worth of promised marketing support in the first year of the agreement.

The June 12 letter was copied to Frank’s brother-in-law Francis Kean, parachuted onto the Board by his brother-in-law as the Prime Minister’s nominee and once installed was elected as FRU chairman. As well as Kean, the Prime Minister himself was copied (as president of the Fiji Rugby Union), and Ajith Kodagoda as the chairman of ATH, the parent company of Vodafone Fiji Ltd. The last person copied was the FRU’s deputy chairman and director legal, the Maori legal activist Carl Ngaki-Cameron.

As Fijileaks reported, this legal crisis was averted by Vodafone paying for Bainimarama and his wife to attend the 2015 Rugby World Cup as guests of the FNPF-owned telecommunications company. The estimate was with business class airfares and best accommodation Vodafone’s ‘gift’ to the PM would have cost around $60,000. Once the arrangement was in place, the FRU abruptly stopped the pursuit of Vodafone and the sponsorship limped on unstructured for several more years.

Radrodro Tabualevu, who had led the skirmishing with Vodafone, was appalled and resigned before the end of 2015, ushering in the opportunity for O’Connor to be appointed as CEO in replacement.

It was the FRU, under O’Connor and Whippy, that stunned rugby fans by approving the creation of Fiji rugby competitions that championed the family names Bainimarama and Kean – the Bainimarama Shield for the four best-placed teams in second tier of provincial rugby and the Commander Francis Kean Shield for the annual match between the NFA and Correctional Services teams, modelled on the Sukuna Bowl between the Army and Police.

Prior to Bainimarama’s coup in 2006, neither Frank Bainimarama nor Francis Kean had any significant role in rugby so the creation of named trophies for both of them, when there are more illustrious names like Ratu Sir George Cakobau, Pio Bosco Tikoisuva, Ilaitia Tuisese and Waisale Serevi yet to honoured, pointed to the culture of fear and masipolo that characterised Rugby House’s operations.

In terms of The Fiji Sun’s reporting said ‘that between January 1 and September 28, 2018, in Suva, O’Connor, while being employed as the chair of the NFA board, directed his officers to amend the findings on the Fire Investigation Report which occurred on April 8, 2018, at the Morris Hedstrom warehouse located at Walu Bay for the purpose of gain. Whippy, while holding the role of director of W R Carpenters (South Pacific) PTE Limited during the same period, allegedly counselled O’Connor for the commissioning of the same offense

‘Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.’

Ulysses, Alfred Lord Tennyson

SNAKE and LADDER AT SODELPA. Ro Teimumu Kepa quits SODELPA and has thrown in the towel to become PRESIDENT. What next for her? She and her supporters must be scheming for her to become Chair, GCC

25/2/2024

Fijileaks: Has anyone seen the Baledrodroka-Leung 'Report into the GCC'? Why wasn't the 'Report' tabled in Parliament?
As we have argued for over four decades, the GCC is a colonial construct that was designed to hold down commoner i-Taukeis for the benefit of the British colonial government, and later the Chiefs, Thieves, and Others since 1970.

The Great Council of Chiefs will be appointing the council chair next Wednesday. This is one of the agenda items highlighted by the Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu, to be discussed in the next meeting, apart from other agenda items. The Bose Levu Vakaturaga will now be responsible for appointing a chairperson from its members who will hold office for three years and will be eligible for re-election. Vasu further clarifies that the GCC will now be part of the decision-making process for iTaukei community-related issues and developments before it is taken to cabinet. “Now that the GCC has reinstated all the decisions and issues about the welfare of iTaukei communities, they will be taken by the Ministry to the GCC for them to decide and taken to cabinet for further discussions, but all agenda items will go through the Boselevu Vakaturaga.” Source: FBC, 21 February 2024

For years, she was uncharitably and cruelly referred to as 'The Black Cobra' in the SODELPA party. A chronological diary of SODELPA will reveal how at every stage the party pushed, with her nodding, for her to become the President in 2024.
As chiefly politics goes, she and other chiefs were only after the restoration of the Great Council of Chiefs, and hence their support for Coupist Sitiveni Rabuka, and for Sodelpa to go into coalition with PAP and NFP.
We have no doubt that her name will be forwarded for her to become Chair, GCC as the 'kana loto'* chiefs meet next week after a long spell drinking 'home brew under a mango tree'.
She is most likely to face stiff opposition from the Speaker, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, who will oppose her nomination to be Chair, Great Council of Chiefs. Tribal politics, Fiji, TRIBAL POLITICS.
Ro Kepa is also subject of FICAC investigation into the $3million Fiji Airways 'Fly Now, Pay Later' flight to Israel, and that she was allegedly one of the ten 'freeloaders' on the Pacific Voyager arranged flight to Jerusalem. They still owe Fiji Airways $2.6million in dinau.

From Fijileaks Archive, 21 December 2022

RO KEPA willingly played the game of Snake and Ladder in her pursuit to become PRESIDENT until RABUKA threw in his support for KATONIVERE to continue as President for another term. Now, she changes her hissing.

To avoid any doubt, I wish to place on record my full support for the Turaga Bale na Tui Macuata, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and his Presidency; and confirm I am not a contender for the position of President.

Those are the words of the Gone Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa.

She says in recent weeks, she has become aware that her name has been circulated as a contender for the position of President when the current President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere’s term ends.

Ro Teimumu says for the record, she is not a contender for the position of President, and if her name has been proposed, then it has been done without her knowledge or consent.

The former SODELPA Leader says she is particularly disappointed that SODELPA General Secretary Viliame Takayawa has made statements regarding this without the courtesy of seeking her view or even discussing the matter with her before issuing any statement.

She says to what she recalls, the position was initially offered by the People’s Alliance Party during the negotiation week at the first Management Board Meeting in December 2022 following the general elections, however, there have been no further discussions since.

Ro Teimumu says the position of President of Fiji is an important position as it symbolises our national unity and character and it should therefore be treated with the respect that such a position deserves.

She says it concerns her as Roko Tui Dreketi, that her name and title is being promoted as a challenger to the current President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, and such unfounded statements could easily create a perception that the current relationship between the Tui Macuata and her or between the two provinces or Vanua o Caumatalevu and Burebasaga is strained, which is not the case.

Ro Teimumu says in fact, she believes the Turaga Bale na Tui Macuata has been doing very well since his appointment and she thought he handled the transfer of power skillfully, following the change of Government in 2022; which ensured that the will of the people and our electoral laws were upheld. Source: Fijivillage News

USPGATE: PAL AHLUWALIA refused to extend the Deputy VC Paunga's contract last Friday. 'He's doing a STALIN purge at USP of those who dare question him'. Paunga is the brother of the Tongan Prime Minister

24/2/2024

*Meanwhile, the nomination for a USP Council Chair closed last week and there's a desire to appoint one who can put Ahluwalia in his place. The previous one (now President of Marshall Island) was too weak and was allegedly consistently influenced by Ahluwalia

Dr Giulio Masasso Tu'ikolongahau
Paunga

USPGATE: PAL AHLUWALIA's re-appointment as VC at odd with the USP Joint Committee Council and Senate Review Report on his performance. Claims Report manipulated by those who wanted him back as USP VCP

24/2/2024

*The USPSA having ballot for strike action next month. Ahluwalia is accused of running rings around the staff union, emboldened by 'Power of One Vote' that led to the formation of the Coalition government. He has refused to renew contracts of a few staff members or engage with them or their union representatives. He is accused of becoming authoritarian while wagging his fingers from Samoa.
Below is the Joint Committee and Senate Report of USP:

Joint Committee of Council and Senate Report to the University of the South Pacific Council on Stakeholders’ Interviews on the Reappointment of the Vice Chancellor and President of the University of the South Pacific,
October 2023

A. Background
The Vice-Chancellor and President (“VCP”) of the University of the South Pacific (“USP”) began his appointment as VCP on January 1 2019..
On 5 August 2021, he was appointed to another 3-year term with the possibility of a further two-year term from 5 August 2024. As required by the Handbook on Council Appointments, a Joint Committee of Council and Senate (JCCS) had been appointed to bring a recommendation to Council on whether to extend the VCP’s term for a further two years.
In making its recommendation, the JCCS has considered a range of relevant material including the views of key stakeholders.
2. A sub-committee of the JCCS was formed and chaired by the Pro Chancellor. The sub-committee was tasked to facilitate face to face interviews and written responses from key stakeholders of the university.
Key stakeholders were identified across the levels of USP governance, management, and operations. Administrative support from outside the university was appointed to provide the notetaking and report summary support during stakeholder interviews and in receiving written responses.

B. Objective.

This report provides a synthesis of stakeholder perspectives compiled by the JCCS drawn from its engagement with key stakeholders and is submitted to the USP Council as part of their consideration and determination regarding the reappointment of the VCP.

Concern

LEADERSHIP

The VCP's leadership style was identified as an area of critical concern. While his crisis management skills were acknowledged, there was criticism around his approach, which was seen by many respondents as centralized, authoritarian, and reliant on personal loyalties. This approach created perceptions of divisiveness, with a lack of trust and a sense of disconnect felt among the staff. It appeared to contribute to a work environment where some staff felt disempowered or undervalued.

Feedback highlighted the VCP’s prolonged absence from Laucala campus as an area of real concern and creating much uncertainty across all areas of the VCP’s functions and responsibilities. Much of the uncertainty manifested in staff and students interpreting his decisions differently, coupled with what was being described as varying explanations on his decisions to management and to those close to him. There was acknowledgement that while his stay in Samoa amid the Fiji crisis was justified, the current situation required his regular presence at Laucala for effective leadership, especially since his anticipated return—following the revocation of his deportation order was marked as the onset of a "new era" for the University.

Strategic Vision

There were concerns about the VCP's focus on international rankings, potentially at the expense of regional needs, staff welfare, and internal community welfare. The emphasis on external achievements seemed to overshadow core educational quality, staff development, and the University's role within the specific socio-cultural and regional context of the Pacific.
Of critical concern, was the unaddressed issue of a significant downward shift of student EFTS.
A balance was needed between pursuing international standing and nurturing the fundamental aspects of academic life, such as teaching quality, student welfare, research outputs and sustaining healthy student numbers. This raised questions about the clarity of the VCP's long-term goals for the institution and the balance between global prestige and national/regional impact.

Staff Relations

There was a clear indication of unrest and dissatisfaction among the University staff, stemming from several factors, including perceived unfairness in recruitment, promotions, inconsistency in policy application, and unaddressed human resource issues, including the failure to address issues of gender equality in staff recruitment and in leadership. These concerns, coupled with the sense of not being heard or valued, have affected staff morale and, potentially staff retention. This signalled an unstable University environment that required urgent attention.

International and Regional Focus

Feedback indicated a gap in the VCP's engagement with the broader Pacific region and the individual challenges and dynamics of member countries.
There was a sense that the University could be drifting from its core mission and values, particularly its relevance and responsibility to the region it serves. Strengthening relationships with regional entities and demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the Pacific's socio-political landscape was seen as crucial.

External Stakeholder Relations

A recurring theme was the need for improved communication and deeper engagement with various stakeholders, including staff, regional campuses, and member countries. The feedback indicated situations where individuals and groups often felt left out of the decision-making process or were unclear about the VCP's vision and decisions. The lack of inclusive communication and consultation contributed to mistrust, speculation, and a feeling of disconnect between the VCP’s office and other parts of the University community.

GOFUND DEBT TO FIJIAIRWAYS. Semi Tukana, 'SOLE Fintech will put money into your accounts so you can fund the Debt and PAY US LATER'. Imagine such giveaway CASH. FICAC must look into Sole's GoFund plan

23/2/2024

At the heart of the Fly Now, Pay Later Scam is the role of Fiji Airways in accepting a meagre $400,000 out of $3million to fly the 'pilgrims' into Israel (including Semi Tukana), and after the Hamas attack, to fly them back to Fiji on a special charter flight.
Crowdfunding through SOLE Fintech
"Once it is setup and by next Sunday we will announce the Trustees and the processes that we will follow in the collections and the weekly arrangements of paying Fiji Aiways.* We will also setup a separate Facebook page for this purpose." - SEMI TUKANA, SoleFintech

Semi Tukana and Minister Sakiasi Ditoka

Micahel Mausio

Cabinet Minister Ditoka's sister-in-law FINE DITOKA is heavily involved in the running of ICEJ

Fine Ditoka

SEMI TUKANA was one of the 'Pilgrims to Israel' but paid his airfares. At the heart of the Fly Now, Pay Later Scam is the role of Fiji Airways in accepting a meagre $400,000 out of $3million to fly the 'pilgrims' into Israel, and after the Hamas attack, to fly them back to Fiji.
We wonder if Tukana and those endorsing his financial rescue plan to bail out Michael Mausio and Pacific Voyager are interferring into FICAC's investigation into the 'Fly Now, Pay Later' Scandal.
*Reportedly, Tourism Minister Gavoka, the main suspect, is in Oceania Hospital. We wish him a speedy recovery, so FICAC can question him.

Project: Rebuilding the Wall
I head a team of three to act as Trustees to a Crowdfunding account created in Sole to help repay the debt to Fiji Airways on the recent Charter Flight to Tel Aviv in October 2023.

Objectives:
(1) Help rescue Michael Mausio, a young 32 year-old Fijian Entrepreneur's business called Pacific Voyager. Fijians own only 0.3% of all businesses in Fiji. We are committed to save this one.

(2) Keep current the 5-year Agreement with Fiji Airways on the Charter flights to Tel Aviv

Background (from my own research)

Michael has been a businessman since he was 19 years old. He runs a fashion design company (House of Mausio) plus two other businesses. He has been doing Charter Flights business with Fiji Airways for 3 years since 2020 and it has been a profitable business to run. He sometimes run 6 Charter flights per year to other Pacific Islands. The Charter flight to Israel was the biggest he has ever undertaken.

The Charter flight NAN-HKG-TLV-HKG-NAN business would include the following:

Revenue stream 1. Selling the seats to Fijians, Samoans, Tongans, Vanuatuans, Solomon Islanders to make the pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Israel

Revenue stream 2. Selling Cargo spaces to large Courier companies for the different sectors. Courier companies were ready to take up the spaces. They needed a 3 months pre-departure confirmation that the flight will go ahead before they commit.

Revenue stream 3. Selling the seats to Israelis to make a holiday or business trip to Fiji for two weeks, filling up the empty seats coming back from Tel Aviv to Nadi, and return on the flight to Tel Aviv to pick up the Pacific Islanders pilgrims on their return to Nadi. A large Israeli Tour Operator was ready to sell Fiji to Israelis at their own expense. They only needed a 3 months pre-departure confirmation that the flight will go ahead before they start selling.

The negotiation over the trip to Israel between the parties took over a year before they finally executed an agreement. Unfortunately, the negotiation took long to reach and by the time of the agreement was signed it was not enough time for the Courier company and also for the Israeli Tour Operator to make any firm commitment.
The shortfall came about because Revenue streams 2 and 3 fell through.

Pacific Voyagers is still committed to the 5-year agreement but it has to first meet the current debt with Fiji Airways. And that's where we come in to help him.

Interests in the annual pilgrimage to Israel through the Charter Flight with Fiji Airways

There has been enormous interests amongst Pacific Islanders including those who live in Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, PNG, New Caledonia, NZ, Australia and as far away as America who are willing to fly to Fiji just to get on this Holy Land direct flight with our Airline.

Summary:

Win for Fiji Airways

At least one of Fiji Airways' A330 or A350 plane will be utilized for 4 days in the year.

Passengers will fly Fiji Airways at their own cost from other parts of the Pacific to be on this flight

Explore the possibility of expanding its wings to new frontiers

Win for Government

Exposing Fiji to Israeli businessmen and women (Jews and Arabs) and possible future investments to Fiji
Possibility of forging a two week Government to Government exchange programme with Israeli Technology, Agriculture and Sports

Win for Pacific Voyager

Keeping the profits from this lucrative NAN-HGK-TLV-HGK-NAN charter business arrangement

Win for the Christian Pilgrims

Allow our Christian citizens in Fiji and the Pacific to visit the Holy Land in our own airline with all its convenience and affordable pricing

Crowdfunding through SOLE’ Fintech

Once it is setup and by next Sunday we will announce the Trustees and the processes that we will follow in the collections and the weekly arrangements of paying Fiji Aiways.

We will also setup a separate Facebook page for this purpose.

Sole Ltd Clarifies Misinformation and Misinterpretation
Comments have been made on social media with regards to Sole's role in the payment of the debt to Fiji Airways on the charter flight to Israel last year.
We wish to state the following.
1. Sole is not paying the debt.
2. Sole will not be using or cannot use customers funds to pay the debt.
3. Sole customers funds in Sole platform are held in trust accounts in two Banks in Fiji. It is safe and secure.
4. Funds held in trust cannot be used or touched by Sole. It is monitored on a daily basis.
5. Sole is licensed and supervised by the Reserve Bank of Fiji.
6. Sole submits monthly returns so that RBF monitors the daily balances of all customers funds against the trust accounts.
7. A group of three trustees opened a group account in Sole to crowdfund to assist Pacific Voyagers.
8. The group is using Sole platform to ensure transparency and accountability with regards to the funds collected.
9. To contribute to the crowd funding is by choice.
10. The crowdfunding is not organised by Sole but using Sole platform.

CRIMINAL or COMPLAINANT? A Facebook posting by SODELPA general secretary VILIAME TAKAYAWA from Togotogo Police triggers flurry of questions. Who assaulted who? VILIAME Takayawa v WATISONI NATA?

22/2/2024

THE WAR ON DRUGS. Kalouniwai, ARMY ready to help. Will he demand Peoples Coalition government launch a probe into CABINET MINISTER Lynda Tabuya's alleged drug taking in hotel. Look, what army did in 2016