Opposition MP Jone Usamate emphasized the importance of public safety, especially as the community celebrated the final day of the Hibiscus festival. In a statement, Usamate raised concerns about safety after several unsecured roofing tins were blown off stalls, posing a significant risk. He expressed relief that no injuries occurred during the incident that took place earlier in the day, but noted that if it had happened later, it could have resulted in serious injuries.
Usamate criticized the lack of proper securing of the roofs and questioned why Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) approved the stalls when they were clearly unsafe. He also inquired whether stall owners, who invested substantial amounts of money to participate, would receive compensation for their losses.