So Fiji is in clean up mode....okay. It has begun, we can't change that, so lets really clean it up....once and for all! I hope though, that the Army now does not fall into the same trap, because absolute power corrupts!

We now need to be more than ever before, transparent and accountable in all that we set out to do. Lets begin the sweep from one end of the country to the other and put an end to corruption on all levels once and for all. The only way this can be maintained though, is if our leaders set up organisations to monitor and bring to task any corrupt practices. Talk to our neighbouring countries who already have these in place and learn from them.

I sincerely hope and pray that Frank Bainimarama removes the showing signs of dictatorship and begins to let the people speak. If he becomes the leader we all hope he will be, then he will not be afraid of what people have to say. Lead by example and we will follow.

Joe Mar, FAVC Chairman

Being a musician/producer, I find it hard to come to terms with the fact that nothing has been done about our music industry. Joe Mar is the chairman of the Fiji Audio Visual Commission (FAVC) and quite frankly, he/they have done nothing for local artists. One of the more important roles of the FAVC is to assist and encourage local musicians and producers, but since its inception, nothing has been done.

I wrote two letters to the CEO Dan (Taniela) Bolea some years back for small financial assistance to some upcoming projects and he replied with a one line letter simply saying NO! No explanation was given.

Taniela Bolea, CEO - FAVC

My questions are, what is the purpose of the Fiji Audio Visual Commission? Why is a vision-less uncompassionate man running it? Why is a rich fat cat who is on so many other boards involved in a fragile, fledgling industry? What is their annual budget and how is it being spent? What kind of vehicles do they drive?

Is it because I am of fair complexion that I am being bypassed? Is it because I have made a name for myself, that I do not need assistance from them? Is it because they think I'm rich and therefore taking advantage of them?

Fiji is one of the few countries in the world where you can be famous and poor at the same time! I say this with humour, but it has been one big struggle and yes there have been times when it was good...and times when my family have had nothing to eat! I live on the edge on a daily basis and never knowing when my next pay check is coming or who it's coming from. It is a constant lonely battle that I fight each day. I am one of the more fortunate musicians in Fiji, but what of the rest? Many have given up their struggle because its just been too hard to make a living!

Maybe Frank Bainimarama can give the Fiji Audio Visual Commission a clean up as well and give us musicians and artists a glimmer of hope for tomorrow. Lets face it, today is out of the question!

Maybe since we are in coup mode, I might stage a coup and clean up the FAVC myself! I don't have any guns, so I might have to go and find my old fishing spear!

Forget the passing of controversial bills, and start by putting water in every home, creating jobs for our young school leavers, give incentives to our young men who wander the streets to work for a living. We have all this land in Fiji that is not being touched, let alone worked! Are we that visionless? We import 75% of Fiji's beef, yet we have vast acres of land sitting idle! The list and opportunities are endless, but our politicians and CEO"s are more focused on the latest 4 wheel drive model and filling their greedy pockets!

We have become a lazy, expecting-everything-for-nothing nation at all levels. It started from the top and has filtered down. How long will the EU and everyone else keep handing out financial assistance to Fiji with nothing to show for it? How long will it be before the international Film and TV companies bypass Fiji, if not already, because of the rising financial demands for location shoots and wages. We were supposed to be an incentive for these companies to come to Fiji not a deterrent! Don't we want to work? or do we want everything handed to us on a silver platter?

I'm ashamed to say, that we have become wanting, wanting and wanting!

I heard a friend of mine say the other day that he was disappointed with 'Granada Television' of the UK who were here shooting 'Celebrity love island", that they made $250 million pounds after spending $25 million pounds on production and they [landowners] only received a million dollars for the use of their island for 3 months.

I asked him how much he contributed financially to Granada's $400 million income? "Nothing", he replied. I then asked him how many of the villagers worked on the show? "Almost all", he replied. I asked him if the wages were good? He said "very good, one days wages were more than a weeks wages in Fiji." I then asked him if the one million dollars for the use of the island for 3 months was justifiable? he said yes. So i asked , "what are you unhappy about?" He replied; "the fact that they made $400 million pounds!" I then said, "but THEY put in the $50 million pounds to make that $400 million pounds and you feel you have been ripped off?" He said "YES, they used us!"

This shocked me and unfortunately its almost like that everywhere here now. Everybody wants more and more without willing to contribute to it.

Many investors have given up and gone elsewhere, if not for that type of greed and mentality, then for political upheaval and the break down of law and order. Are we trying our hardest to make things harder for ourselves?

For over 15 years my home has only gotten water at 5am until 8am, and then again at 6pm until 9pm. I live in Lautoka, the second largest city here in Fiji, and we have hardly any water!

It has taught us one thing though, to appreciate everything, no matter how little. When I am in Suva, which is not often if i can help it, I flush the toilet after my visit and stand there listening to the water do its work. It's music to my ears! I even appreciate that now [laugh]

We are overcharged by the Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) in the urban areas and most rural areas don't even have power. Telecom charges, Vodafone charges, City rates, the cost of food, the cost of rent and basically everything else here in Fiji breaks the scale, in relation to the average wage. How we survive, I honestly do not know. It is a Miracle!

So, Frank Bainimarama, let's now see you get to work after your clean up is over because you have your plate full indeed.

I challenge my Fijian brothers and sisters living abroad, to come home and rebuild. Come and help take Fiji to the next level. I'll be here, join in when you're ready!

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