Nadi Chamber of Commerce President pleads to the Govt to allow Nadi businesses to open as thousands of people and many businesses are suffering

Nadi Chamber of Commerce President pleads to the Govt to allow Nadi businesses to open as thousands of people and many businesses are suffering

By Vijay Narayan
Friday 28/05/2021
Nadio Town

The Nadi Chamber of Commerce President, Doctor Ram Raju says tens of thousands of people in Nadi and other towns are without jobs and without sources of funds to buy essentials as Nadi remains a containment zone.

Doctor Raju says the $90 government payouts and FNPF withdrawals was only a temporary relief but thousands are still suffering.

He says Nadi and other towns in the Western Division are suffering in silence for far too long.

Doctor Raju says for Nadi, there has not been a single case recorded in the last 4 to 5 weeks and yet 90% of the businesses are closed.

He says Lautoka Hospital will reopen after 21 days of being COVID free.

The Nadi Chamber of Commerce President says it is illogical for them to remain a containment zone even after 4 weeks of COVID free.

He says they have now heard that the Ministry of Health is planning to send COVID contact cases to hotels in Nadi for quarantine which is strongly opposed by all the members.

Doctor Raju says it was a breach of protocols in one of the hotels in Nadi which had led to the second dangerous wave of COVID-19 and the rest is history.

He says this is the final straw that will break their backs in Nadi as they have endured the economic catastrophe never imagined before in our history.

Doctor Raju says everyone knows that they were the worst affected since the collapse of the tourism industry since the first case was reported on 19th March 2020.

He says there are certainly other avenues where the clusters can be taken care of in the Central Division rather than posing a risk again in Nadi.

The Nadi Chamber of Commerce President says the swift lockdown of Lautoka Hospital and other containment efforts has paid dividends and is a clear testament of the success in winning the war.

He says this can be applied similarly in the hot spot areas in the Suva and Nausori corridor.

Doctor Raju is making a special plea to the government to allow businesses in Nadi to open now but with the strictest COVID-19 health guidelines or protocols.

He says hundreds or thousands of business houses are unable to pay their rent or even the electricity bills which are already due and EFL will not consider any delays in payments nor offer any rebates or discounts.

Meanwhile the Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Dr James Fong says they are reviewing their restrictions in the West and North and will be making more definitive announcements in the next few days.

Dr. Fong says they have received more detailed data regarding the effectiveness of the containment measures in the Northern and Western Divisions.

FEATURE NEWS
5 to 6 children being abused daily in Fiji – Police
Many parents in our neighbouring communities especially around the city know that their children are coming on the streets, but they don't necessaril...
37 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Infection prevention and control guidelines in place to deal with super-bugs - Dr Tudravu
We have processes in place like infection prevention and control guidelines to deal with super-bugs. Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr Jemesa ...
22 minutes ago

PM opens new FNU Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies
Future maritime students are set to gain valuable learning opportunities following the opening of the Fiji National University Pacific Centre for ...
23 minutes ago

Loss of traditional values contributing to drug abuse in iTaukei communities - Volatabu
The students of Assemblies of God and Dr. Ram Lakhan Memorial Primary School in Tacirua have been reminded of the importance of understanding who ...
28 minutes ago

Prouds opens its first-ever store in Labasa, creating 5 jobs
Five people have found employment after Prouds Fiji opened its first branch at Damodar City, Labasa, today. The General Manager Reshmi Singh says ...
2 hours ago

Police and NFA rescue two teens stranded in the Waikalou River
A 17-year-old student and an 18-year-old woman, who was stranded in the Waikalou River in Kalabu yesterday, were rescued by the quick reaction of ...
2 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Doctor Alipate Vakamocea on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiji Medical Association President, Doctor Alipate Vakamocea will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan The show will focus on ...
12 days ago

Mangal and Akauola on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Executive Director, Hemraj Mangal and Director, Matai Akauola appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan The ...
12 days ago

Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
19 days ago

TOP