Opposition member of parliament Joseph Nand has expressed his outrage over the findings of an investigation into the death of a Japanese tourist at a resort in Sigatoka, calling them “shocking and unacceptable.” This incident involved a 50-year-old tourist who experienced difficulties while snorkeling at the resort earlier this month.
In his statement, Nand condemned the apparent lack of crucial welfare and duty of care at the establishment. He emphasized that the general public expects resorts to adhere to stringent safety standards, yet the findings from the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) investigation have raised alarming questions about the capability of resorts to protect their guests.
Nand urged for immediate strategic actions to address the situation and expressed concern over the ineffectiveness of authorities responsible for monitoring OHS compliance in these venues. He pointed out a significant gap in regular inspections and enforcement, questioning when the last check was conducted, the frequency of inspections, and the actions taken against non-compliant resorts.
While acknowledging Minister Singh’s prompt initiation of an investigation, Nand stressed the importance of implementing long-term measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
This incident serves as a crucial reminder of the solemn responsibility resorts have towards their guests’ safety. It also opens up an opportunity for improved regulatory oversight, ensuring that safety measures are not only established but strictly followed. By addressing these concerns, authorities can work towards restoring public trust in the tourism industry and its safety protocols.
In summary, the tragic death of the Japanese tourist has uncovered significant issues regarding safety standards at tourist resorts, prompting calls for urgent reform in monitoring and compliance to ensure the security of all visitors in the future.
Leave a comment