Page 11 - IB April 2021

Whispers Whispers

and the world are being subjected to unaffected by its parent company’s dif-
daily physical and psychological abuse.” ficulties.

Overwhelmed in PNG Mystery of the power tools
Provincial health authorities in PNG The powers that be remain tight-
have again been urged to account for lipped about the disappearance of
their K200,000 (US$57,000) COVID-19 a shipment of power tools destined
expenditures. Only two of the 22 had for cyclone ravaged islands in south Front Page Pte Limited
submitted their reports as we went eastern Fiji. A UN agency, preparing GPO Box 12718, Suva, Fiji Islands.
to print, and they had been told they for its head’s tour of these islands, Tel: +679 9719660
could not get any further allocations had donated a handsome figure to a Email: advertising@islandsbusiness.com
until they reconcile these funds, and ex- local government department for the
plain their plans for this year. It comes purchase of electric tools to assist with Circulation & Distribution
amid continuing allegations of fraud the rebuilding work after a cyclone subs@islandsbusiness.com
and abuse in the management of COVID damaged island homes. Come the day Finance
funds. Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckley says for the tour though, the department finance@islandsbusiness.com
while many officials are working hard to reported that its warehouse was burgled Fiji stockists
stem the spread of COVID-19 and ensure and all the tools bought for the UN tour
those affected are treated, the situa- had disappeared. While the department Amy St Pharmacy, Toorak, Suva
tion is currently overwhelming. had confirmed the theft, Fiji Police and Dominion Bookshop, BSP Life Building Arcade, Suva
the UN are not talking. Foska Stationery & Gift Shop, Digicel House, Nabua
Cancelling Boyd Grand Eastern Hotel, Labasa
An Australian town plans to change its Tonga’s rugby league fix Gulabdas and Sons, Levuka
Hot Bread Kitchen, Damodar City, Suva; LICI building,
name because its current one is associ- Tongans may be great rugby league Butt St, Suva; Main St, Nadi; Rajendra’s Foodtown Complex,
ated with a slave trader. Boydtown is players but its national body remains Valelevu; Namoli Avenue, Lautoka; Savusavu.
named after Ben Boyd, a ‘blackbirder’ out of the International Rugby League. Kundan Singh Supermarkets, Pacific Harbour and Tamavua
who transported slaves from Melanesia Tonga’s national rugby league had ap- Mad Hatter Hut, Suva
to Australia. Monaroo Elder, BJ Cruse pealed its expulsion from the world Methodist Bookstore, Suva
said the local Aboriginal community body following a dispute with some of MHCC, Suva
wants the name change “because of its key players and coach in 2019. The Nausori Airport Bookshop
what that man represents. He caused appeal has been rejected, meaning the Palm Court Bistro, Suva
a lot of misery amongst Indigenous and home of the Mate Ma’a Tonga players is
Pacific Island people. It’s a long time still out of the world rugby league body. Samabula Drugstore, Suva
coming but it is well-received.” No decision yet on the applications by Suva Book Shop, Suva
two other Tongan organisations that The Friendly North Inn, Labasa
Ducking for cover? have applied to replace Tonga’s NRL. USP Bookcentre, Laucala Campus, Suva
Business types are pondering the Regional
implications of the troubles being faced Ko Rab’a China Boroko Foodworld – Boroko, PNG
by steel magnate Sanjeev Gupta on one Much drama in the sandy atolls of Friendly Islands Bookshop – Nuku’alofa, Tonga
of Fiji’s most prominent businessmen. Tarawa of late with the passing of gov- Hachette Pacifique – Papeete, French Polynesia
Daksesh Patel chairs the Fiji National ernment motion thanking the People’s Heritage Park Hotel – Honiara, Solomon Islands
Provident Fund and Electricity Fiji Ltd Republic of China for its “generous Nouvelle Messageries Caledoniennes de Presse – Noumea,
boards, and is CEO of Infrabuild Aus- assistance” to the people of Kiribati. No New Caledonia
tralia. That company is part of British figures were mentioned in thanking Bei- Pacific & Occidental Capelle & Partners – Yaren, Nauru
businessman Sanjeev Gupta’s empire, jing for its “generosity” and there was Pacific Supplies – Rarotonga, Cook Islands
and produces, distributes and recycles certainly no mention at all of the two Robert Reimers Enterprises – Majuro, Marshall Islands
steel. Gupta’s GFG Alliance has been Embraer jets that China bought for the South Seas Traders – Alofi, Niue
fighting for financial survival since its northern Pacific atoll nation in return Stop Press – Port Vila, Vanuatu
largest lender, Greenshill Capital, went for its acceptance back into Tarawa and Yap Cooperative Association – Colonia, YAP, FSM
into bankruptcy in March. Now he is fac- the rejection of Taiwan. Incidentally,
ing a parliamentary inquiry in the UK. those jets are still grounded in airport
Former Cleanaway CEO Vik Bansal has hangars in Australia.
been earmarked to replace Patel at the
head of Infrabuild this year, but for now, Whispers is compiled under the supervi-
Patel has the task of reassuring nervous sion of the editors
Australian clients that the business is

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