Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa is set to meet with officials from the Suva City Council and the Hibiscus Committee to address issues that arose during the recent week-long festival. Public frustrations have escalated, particularly after Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka called for the minister’s involvement following concerns, including an incident on the final day when strong winds displaced the roofs of several stalls.
“I’ll be meeting with the Suva City Council special administrators this Wednesday to discuss all the issues at the Hibiscus Festival and will comment then,” Mr. Nalumisa stated.
During the event’s closing, Mr. Rabuka urged festival organizers to prioritize public safety. He emphasized, “I call on everyone involved, especially government agencies, municipal councils, and business operators, to be vigilant about the safety and security of the public.”
Additionally, the Prime Minister expressed concern regarding the Hibiscus Committee’s decision to cancel a Drug Awareness march during the festival. He found it troubling that the group from Drug World Fiji was not permitted to distribute promotional materials and banners.
On social media, many users voiced complaints about the quality of live coverage of the event. They highlighted difficulties in assessing the contestants’ performances due to limited stage time and repetitive, brief responses during media interviews.