Monthly Archives: March 2012

Pensioners FUNDS Abuse

28 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by in Articles & Reports

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Fiji’s government has alerted Interpol in their bid to arrest a former official of the FPNF they believe is now inAuckland.

The Information Ministry says they are trying to find the deputy general manager of the Fiji National Provident Fund, Foana Nemani.

She was to have appeared in the Fiji High Court today over illegal payments totalling nearly F$70,000 (NZ$47,000).

A lawyer for Fiji’s anti-corruption unit, Shalini Sanmogam told the High Court they were trying to get Interpol inNew Zealandto assist them.

The case was adjourned until April 30. 

4.5 Billion Dollar Pension Fraud

28 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by in Articles & Reports

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N4.56b ‘fraud’ trial: EFCC seizes ex-director’s houses

Ex-Pension director loses hotel, filling stations

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday seized six properties, including a hotel and four filling stations, from a former Director of Pension Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu is standing trial over a N4.56 billion pension scam in the disbanded Pension Unit in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

According to a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the properties, which were seized at the weekend, included two choice buildings and four filling stations.

He said the seizure was in line with a July 11, last year order of interim forfeiture by Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court,Abuja.
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Selective Answering

27 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by in Letters

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How ironic that Tevita Nagataleka should respond immediately to my letter regarding government borrowings from FNPF (FT 22/12), and has even invited me to meet with him to clarify my concerns regarding the above, yet the Chairman of FNPF Board has not had the courtesy of responding nor even acknowledging correspondence directed to him from various pensioners over a period of time it’s as if we do not exist!

It appears that FNPF are selective when it comes to answering questions, a good example being those that were posed by various pensioners to FNPF during the public meetings that were held with regard to products and options being offered, following FNPF advising of their intention to cut our pensions.

In some instances, the security guards endeavoured to take microphones away, some pensioners were merely ignored and fobbed off, while others were met by a wall of stony silence. So Mr Nagataleka, thanks but no thanks to your invitation.

There is no transparency in either the former FNPF Act nor the present 2011 FNPF Decree. Neither is there transparency in the processes that go through the Reserve Bank of Fiji. Why are there restrictions on offshore investments?

More smoke, and more mirrors?

And, according to an article several weeks back in the local newspapers, the FNPF Board maintains that they own the FNPF and not the members. Now how did that happen and since when? Is it not members’ funds and how and why do they not have a say?

The FNPF continues to reiterate and emphasise in their recent full page advertisement, that pensioners live longer than the population at large. Says who and what type of objectionable attitude is this against senior citizens? The pensions that we are receiving are by contract that is all we expect nothing more, nothing less and it now appears that FNPF fooled all of us into buying into this scheme under false pretences, by now making it null and void.

TALEI BURNESS
Suva

Who Really Pays ?

24 Saturday Mar 2012

Posted by in Grey Power Editor

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Aisake Taito continues to keep saying FNPF members should not subsidise the pensions of other members who have retired. Totally ignoring the fact that people currently drawing pensions subsidised others in the past.

Does Aisake Taito ever ask himself who pays his salary and who will pay his civil service pension??..

IT IS OTHERS !, it is the taxpayers of Fiji, including pensioners and children who pay tax in the form of VAT on nearly everything they buy. It is these people who pay Aisake Taito his wages and who will be paying his civil service pension.

Is he really as stupid as he appears to be. Because if he is, Frank should either arrange for him to have a scholarship in logistics, or boot his useless arse out into the private sector. where he would surely starve.

Pension Acceptance

24 Saturday Mar 2012

Posted by in Letters

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Mister Taito of the FNPF is reported as saying that “the vast majority of pensioners have accepted the new scheme”. Yes, of course, did he expect us to refuse to get validated and finish up with nothing? Does he think we accepted willingly, happily?

PETER RODDA
Lami

Pensioners plead for justice to the Prime Minister

22 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by in Press Releases

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MEDIA STATEMENT

March 22, 2012 

Pensioners plead for justice to the Prime Minister 

A petition to the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama calls for an independent inquiry to consider the “issues, contradictions and discrepancies” surrounding the Fiji National Provident Fund’s new pension scheme.

The petition is signed by pensioners who say their monthly payments have been unjustly reduced. About 3600 of them will be affected.

They believe they have been discriminated against and that their fundamental rights have been breached.

The petitioners described the Transition Decree that gave effect to pension changes as “undemocratic” and “iniquitous”. Its provisions and effects were “shocking”.

In addition to many pensioners, petition signatories include supporters of their cause, current FNPF members and a number of leading citizens. Among them are former prime ministers Laisenia Qarase, Mahendra Chaudhry and Sitiveni Rabuka. Taufa Vakatale, Fiji’s first female acting prime minister and a current constitutional commissioner, has signed, along with Mick Beddoes, who served as leader of the opposition. Also signatories are Mere Samisoni, a backbencher in the last parliament and Poseci Bune, previously a Minister in Commodore Bainimarama’s government and administrations led by Laisenia Qarase and Mahendra Chaudhry.

Mr Amraiya Naidu, a retired senior civil servant and ambassador, is a signatory with other former senior government officials. Rev Akuila Yabaki, chief executive of the Citizens Constitutional Forum has signed; so have social justice advocate, Father Kevin Barr, and chief executive of the Consumer Council of Fiji, Ms Premila Kumar.

The petition signatures are complemented by on-line endorsements on the pensioners’ website.

Pensioner and petitioner Talei Burness delivered the petition today to the Prime Minister’s office. She was accompanied by fellow pensioners Waqa Ledua, David Eyre and Pratap Singh.

Mr Singh and Mr Ledua joined pensioner spokesperson Ross McDonald in releasing the document to the media.
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Government Borrowing

22 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by in Letters

≈ 2 Comments

I READ with interest, that government has been advised by the Chief Economist for the ANZ Bank, Paul Gruenwald, that they reduce their borrowings which is 73 per cent, from the Fiji National Provident Fund (FT 8/3). Even more interesting and disturbing is, Mr Barry Whiteside, Governor of Reserve Bank of Fiji, stating that “FNPF was the only willing purchaser, with the commercial banks shying away”.

As far as I am aware, the Fiji National Provident Fund is not a commercial bank, but a superannuation fund that was specifically formed to take care of people after they retired, until their death.

So, with the above in mind, perhaps Mr Whiteside and the FNPF Board might like to explain this anomaly to the members and we pensioners who are about to have our pensions drastically cut, how and why FNPF is willing to lend this high percentage to the government, while commercial banks are not?

Talei Burness
Suva

IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION

20 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by in Daily Humour

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Do you have feelings of inadequacy?

Do you suffer from shyness?

Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. It can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you’re ready and willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of Cabernet Sauvignon almost immediately and, with a regimen of regular doses, you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live.

Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had.

Stop hiding and start living.

Cabernet Sauvignon may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use it. However, women who wouldn’t mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it..

Side effects may include: dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, loss of motor control, loss of clothing, loss of money, loss of virginity, delusions of grandeur, table dancing, headache, dehydration, dry mouth, and a desire to sing Karaoke and play all-night rounds of Strip Poker, Truth Or Dare, and Naked Twister.

WARNINGS:

* The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may make you think you are whispering when you are not.

* The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.

* The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may cause you to think you can sing.

* The consumption of Cabernet Sauvignon may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.

Please feel free to share this important information with as many as you feel may benefit!

Now just imagine what you could achieve with a good Shiraz.