Richard Lal, the President of the Fiji Bus Operators Association, has emphasized the need for increased accountability from the chief executive of the Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), the body responsible for regulating the industry. Lal responded to claims by acting CEO Pranil Singh, who suggested that the FBOA was personalizing issues with the regulator. Lal maintained that their concerns are not personal, but rather focused on the execution of decisions made by FCCC leadership.
“It is essential for executives like Mr. Joel Abraham to justify their decisions and the subsequent changes, as these decisions affect the entire bus industry,” Lal stated. Singh had previously addressed a recent FBOA release that called for Abraham’s resignation, accusing him of delaying the implementation of agreed decisions.
“The article in question is already outdated; one concern raised was regarding the school bus fare subsidy, which was approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday. However, there are still unresolved issues, like the VAT adjustment error by the previous regulator, the Land Transport Authority, which the FCCC committed to correcting last year but failed to follow through,” Lal explained.
He pointed out that the FCCC’s inaction on this VAT adjustment error has led to substantial financial losses for the bus industry over the last two years, losses that may never be recouped.
“This issue is rooted in principles and professional conduct. Mr. Abraham had consented to rectify this VAT adjustment in July 2023, contingent upon bus operators accepting a transaction fee imposed by the FCCC,” Lal noted. He criticized the FCCC for what he believes is an improper charge of 1 cent for each transaction, which bus operators found unacceptable, leading to Abraham reversing his earlier decision regarding the VAT correction.
“Mr. Abraham now claims the delay is due to the need for clarification from the LTA and the Ministry of Finance on this issue. We question why he initially agreed to these changes back in July only to backtrack when bus operators rejected the transaction fee,” Lal remarked.
The FBOA has also submitted a complaint to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) regarding Abraham’s interactions with the Association. “Mr. Abraham’s prolonged interactions with bus operators have been troublesome since the FCCC gained the authority to set bus fares. His actions over the past year, especially concerning this straightforward correction of a long-standing error, have triggered this complaint,” Lal stated.
Additionally, Lal mentioned that the FBOA has initiated legal action against the previous government over their inability to appeal FCCC decisions.
“The Coalition Government has agreed to amend the FCCC’s legislation to eliminate a clause preventing any review of its decisions. This so-called ouster clause inhibits any challenge to FCCC’s rulings, regardless of how unjust they may be,” he concluded.
“Every citizen should have the right to contest the decisions of a statutory body like the FCCC if we are to uphold the principles of democracy in our country,” Lal added.