Security concerns prompts fireworks ban
Thursday August 23, 2007

No fireworks will be allowed into the country for the Hindu festival of lights or 'Deepawali' in November due to security concerns.

And it is likely that fireworks kept locally will not be allowed to be used either.

Home Affairs Ministry deputy permanent secretary Manasa Vaniqi told fijilive.com that the import license for fireworks has been suspended after an assessment of the country's security situation early this month.

Shop owners who sell fireworks are still unsure about what to do with the fireworks they have in stock.

Commerce Minister Taito Waradi said that his ministry is still in the dark on the issue too.

Officials from the Department of Mineral Resources, Ministry of Commerce and other stakeholders are expected to meet at midday today to sort the matter out.

Meanwhile, the Department of Mineral Resources confirms that about 8-10 businesses applied for the import licenses for fireworks in June.