We are ready to stand with the Fiji Police in making sure Nadi is safe for everyone but Nadi Police is under-resourced in terms of manpower and vehicles.
Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Dr Ram Raju highlighted this after the recent calls by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka on beefing up security in Nadi, particularly the Martintar and Namaka corridor following the alleged sexual attack and theft incidents involving foreign airline workers.
Dr Raju says they will be closely working with Police and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that tourists and residents feel safe in their homes and in public places at all times.
He says they have been meeting the senior officers of Nadi and Namaka Police Stations regularly and adds the recent incident is a wake up call to take stronger action and work towards preventing such incidents by equipping our security forces with the necessary tools and manpower.
The Chamber of Commerce President says as the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted, the recent case involving foreign airline staff was truly a one-off case as there had been no such cases in the past.
He says it is time for us to make sure such things never happen again as it tarnishes Fiji’s image particularly that of Nadi as the tourism hub of the South Pacific.
Dr Raju has confirmed that they and relevant stakeholders will be meeting with senior officials of the Police Force later this week.
He says during an interaction with the officer-in-charge of Nadi during the festive season, he was told that the Police seriously lacks manpower and there are only two vehicles at the Nadi Police Station.
The Chamber President says he is urging the government to fully equip the force with relevant manpower and vehicles because Nadi is making a significant contribution towards national development yet they do not see that reflected on the public security services offered at the moment.
He says there is an overall lack of confidence in the business community and people are refraining from making investments because of safety and security issues which are now running out of control in the greater Nadi area.
Dr Raju says one prominent member of Nadi Chamber has just held back his $10 million building investment plans after seeing the current situation in Nadi.
He says this recent update by one of their concerned members is itself a testimony on how economic development and security issues are closely related.
Dr Raju adds touting and the continued harassment of tourists by certain rogue retailers is another major concern for Nadi Town.
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