Roneel Sami, president of Nadi’s nightclub operators and owner of Ice-Bar Nadi, emphasizes the need for a reassessment of existing rules and regulations governing nightclubs to enhance patron safety. His comments follow a concerning incident involving three Australian airline crew members, who reportedly faced theft and sexual assault at a Martintar nightclub in Nadi.
Mr. Sami highlighted that such incidents could tarnish Fiji’s reputation as a tourist destination. He insisted that while this situation is alarming, it is not an isolated case, noting that disturbances can occur outside of nightlife establishments as well. He argued that the current closure time of nightclubs at 1 a.m. exacerbates safety concerns by forcing patrons, including tourists, to wait outside in the dark for transportation.
According to Mr. Sami, extending nightclub hours, akin to previous practices of remaining open until 5 a.m., might mitigate risks by reducing the volume of people waiting for taxis at the same time. He also pointed out that inadequate parking facilities near many nightclubs lead to patrons walking along unsafe streets in search of taxis, which are often unavailable during late hours. He cited this scenario as a potential factor in the unfortunate incident involving the crew members.
Mr. Sami also raised concerns about the lack of police presence around nightclubs after hours, attributing the recent incident to a combination of inadequate parking options and insufficient police patrols. He urged the Nadi Town Council to reconsider the registration of nightclubs that do not meet essential safety requirements.
In response, Saliceni Raiwalui, Chair of the Nadi Town Council’s Special Administrator, acknowledged the issues raised and expressed sympathy for the victims. He described the incident as a wake-up call, committing to reassessing safety measures for both tourists and locals.
This incident opens up opportunities for dialogue and collective action among nightclub owners, government agencies, and law enforcement to improve safety protocols and infrastructure. By addressing these issues sincerely and proactively, stakeholders can work towards ensuring a safer and more welcoming environment for both visitors and residents in Nadi.
Summary: Roneel Sami, a nightclub operator in Nadi, calls for a review of safety regulations after an incident involving three airline crew members. He suggests extending nightlife hours to reduce risks and points out issues like inadequate parking and lack of police presence. The Nadi Town Council acknowledges these concerns and sees the incident as a wake-up call for improving safety measures.
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