Council takes full control

Hibiscus Festival

SUVA City Council has assumed full organisational control of the Hibiscus Festival.

Council special administrators chair Tevita Bosewaqa conƝrmed the council would now take full responsibility for organising the Hibiscus Festival until their term concluded.

He said this decision marked a departure from previous arrangements where an external committee oversaw the event.

“We are preparing very well for Hibiscus,” Mr Bosewaqa said.

“While I’m not too sure as to why, we have changed who controls the festival, I think it’s a step in the right direction.”

He said local investors had shown interest in sponsoring the event, emphasising that all funds, including sponsor contributions, will be managed directly by the council’s treasury and Ɲnance divisions.

“It will not be like before, where we engaged an outside committee to run the show.

“We are controlling it and the chairman is one of our special administrators.”

“In terms of what they are doing, every fortnight they will come in and brief us.

“And they will work according to the standard procedures.”

Under the new arrangement, he said a special committee has been established to ensure transparent utilisation of funds, adhering strictly to laws, bylaws, and guidelines governing such events.

Mr Bosewaqa said the council’s commitment to maintaining the festival’s reputation as a family-centered celebration, with enhanced measures focused on public safety.

“In light of recent safety incidents involving certain rides, we are strictly limiting the types of rides offered at the festival, like the Ferris wheel.

“The top priority for us, is the safety for our people. “We will ensure that whatever rides we offer are safe. “We are guided by that safety.

“We will also beef up the security of the festival, not only for the people but also for the infrastructure.”

Regarding the venue, Mr Bosewaqa indicated uncertainty over the opening of Ratu Sukuna Park in time for the festival, despite ongoing renovations.

He conƝrmed that the council remained focused on ensuring the festival’s success and upholding its longstanding traditions.

“By that time the Sukuna Park will be around (completed).

“But I cannot conƝrm if it will be opened.”

Picture: FILE Suva City Council has assumed full organisational control of the Hibiscus Festival.

Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU The completion of the newly-renovated Ratu Sukuna Park in Suva was expected to be by the end of July, however, Suva City Council special administrators chairperson Tevita Bosewaqa said they could not confirm when the park would open.