AND THEN IT IS WINTER

01 Tuesday Oct 2013

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PF-pensioner_1054004cYou know … time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.
But, here it is… the “back nine” of my life and it catches me by surprise…How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?
I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that “I was only on the first hole” and the “back nine” was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.
But, here it is…my friends are retired and getting gray…they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me…but, I see the great change…Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant…but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d become.
Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore… it’s mandatory! Cause if I don’t on my own free will… I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so…now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though I’m on the “back nine”, and I’m not sure how long it will last…this I know, that when it’s over on this earth…it’s over. A new adventure will begin! Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done…things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime.
So, if you’re not on the “back nine” yet…let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you’re on the “back nine” or not!
You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life…so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember…and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!
“Life” is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY! DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY ! HAVE A GREAT DAY Remember “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. LIVE HAPPY IN 2013!
LASTLY, CONSIDER THIS: ~Your kids are becoming you……but your grandchildren are perfect! ~Going out is good.. Coming home is better! ~You forget names…. But it’s OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!! ~You realize you’re never going to be really good at anything…. especially golf. ~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don’t care to do them anymore. ~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It’s called “pre-sleep”. ~You miss the days when everything worked with just an “ON” and “OFF” switch.. ~You tend to use more 4 letter words … “what?”…”when?”…” ??? ~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it’s not safe to wear it anywhere. ~You notice everything they sell in stores is “sleeveless”?!!! ~What used to be freckles are now liver spots. ~Everybody whispers. ~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet…. 2 of which you will never wear. ~~~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!
Stay well, “OLD FRIEND!” Send this on to other “Old Friends!” and let them laugh in AGREEMENT!!! It’s Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.
TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU’VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU’LL EVER BE, SO ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.

It is time FNPF members had a Say

12 Thursday Sep 2013

Posted by in Grey Power Editor

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Taito 2The Chief Executive Officer for Fiji National Provident Fund Aisake Taito today took the stand in the trial against former Deputy General Manager, Foana Nemani in the Suva High Court.
During cross examination by FICAC lawyer, Rashmi Aslam, Taito confirmed that he was present at the FNPF Board meeting on 7th December 2005 where Responsibility Allowance Policy for Manager level Principal and Team leaders were approved.

Taito told the court, that he is not aware whether the FNPF Board approved any Responsibility Allowance policy for those at the executive level.

What a FARCE a TOTAL FARCE, paying BONUS money to employees who are employed on a pay scale for positions of responsibility to accept responsibility. This is the same as paying them TWICE.. A clear abuse of pensioners funds by both the board and the management.
That ex banker and aspiring politician Mr. Thomas Ricketts is a member of the FNPF Board, remember this at the 2014 Elections.
tom_ricketts

IF YOU CANNOT TRUST A MAN WITH YOUR PENSION WHY TRUST HIM WITH YOUR VOTE.

 

Fiji has a New Constitution

10 Tuesday Sep 2013

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PresidentPlease Frank can we now have a new Attorney General and Minister for Anti Corruption, one that does not have his finger in every government commercial pie. One that does not constantly seek publicity and glorification of self.

Just a good honest legal professional with substantial legal experience.

Can we have one now and not in 12 months time.

Can you make a genuine effort to stop high level corruption NOW. 

Corruption at the Top

02 Monday Sep 2013

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WE IN FIJI ALSO HAVE CORRUPTION AT THE VERY TOP OF THE ADMINISTRATION, YET UNLIKE CHINA WE DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. 

JIEMINChinese authorities have announced a corruption investigation into Jiang Jiemin, the head of the commission that oversees state-owned companies.

The supervision ministry said Mr Jiang was suspected of a “serious violation of discipline”. He has not publicly commented on the allegations.

The term is used to refer to corruption by managers of state companies.

President Xi Jinping has vowed to eradicate corruption in China, warning that it threatens the Communist Party.

Recent months have seen several high-profile corruption cases against high-ranking officials, including disgraced senior party official Bo Xilai, who was put on trial for bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power in August.

The verdict in his case is expected “at a date to be decided”. Mr Bo denies all charges.

Until March Mr Jiang was head of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), which has faced a number of corruption allegations.

Last week it was announced that another four CNPC executives were under investigation for corruption.

Earlier in August the general manager of state-owned phone company China Mobile Ltd was detained in the southern province of Guangdong. He too is being investigated for discipline violations.

 

FNPF get out of PNG NOW

08 Thursday Aug 2013

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fnpfChairman Ajith Kodagoda should get smart, if Vodafone Fiji is not involved FNPF funds will be subjected to unnecessary risk… GET OUT NOW.

REPORTED
FNPF said it remains positive that parties involved in the BeMobile share subscription agreement would explore all alternative structures going forward.
 
In a FNPF statement, Chairman Ajith Kodagoda confirms that the BeMobile share subscription agreement was not completed as certain conditions critical to the achievement of the business plan projections were not met.
 
Kodagoda said that as custodians of members’ funds, the Board is mindful of its duties to protect and grow members’ savings and will always act in their best interest at all times.
 
He said FNPF has recommenced talks with the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) of PNG.
 
The Post Courier had reported that Vodafone Fiji has backed out of the deal with BeMobile due to differences over the use of a contractor to rollout the new infrastructure.
 
The joint-venture agreement would have seen Vodafone Fiji manage BeMobile’s telecommunications system and the PNG government’s IPBC would own 51% share equity while the Fiji National Provident Fund could have 40%. 
Vodafone Fiji Managing Director, Aslam Khan had said he will not make any comments. 

Can you live on a Dollar a Day Frank?

03 Saturday Aug 2013

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Dr Jo5738 senior citizens are currently assisted through the government’s Social Pension Scheme.
 
This said Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Permanent Secretary Dr Josefa Koroivueta.
 
Koroivueta said senior citizens who are 70 years and above are currently benefiting from the Pension Schemes $30 monthly allowance.
 
Dr Koroivueta added a total of 177 senior citizens have been assisted in the maritime areas namely Kadavu, Lau, Lomaiviti, and Rotuma. 
 
$3.24 million has been allocated to the Social Pension Scheme for 2013.
5738 x 12 x $30 equates to $2,065,680.. Tell us who is getting the other $1.17 Million Dollars Dr Josefa Koroivueta
Time to give the pensioners more than a Dollar a Day Frank, and the same question for you Frank, who is getting the other $1.17 Million Dollars ?