The Nadi Chamber of Commerce & Industry has voiced strong opposition to the proposed increase in electricity tariffs for 2025, claiming that businesses have not been adequately consulted on the matter. President Lawrence Kumar expressed that this decision seems to have come without proper communication or involvement from stakeholders, suggesting that the process has been mishandled.
Kumar criticized the lack of data surrounding the new tariff, stating, “This has actually landed upon us without prior consultations.” He emphasized the need for transparency and thorough discussions with businesses to understand the rationale behind the proposed increase. “It feels like we put the cart before the horse; there should have been proper consultations and explanations on how this new tariff was calculated,” he remarked.
In response to the backlash, Senikavika Jiuta, Chief Executive Officer of the Fijian Competition & Consumer Commission (FCCC), announced that meetings would be arranged with various stakeholders, including the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation and the Nadi Chamber of Commerce. “We are committed to consulting with all members, including the NCCI,” Jiuta said, noting that they reached out to Kumar previously but had not received a reply.
Kumar highlighted the dissatisfaction among business owners in Nadi, stating that many have outright rejected the proposed tariff increase. He urged for a delay in the implementation of the new tariff, allowing for a period of adequate consultation to fully inform both the businesses and the public about the reasons behind the increase.
Reflecting on a previous consultation by Energy Fiji Limited (EFL), Kumar noted that participants were provided with comprehensive data and planning for the next decade, which is absent in the current situation. He stressed the importance of presenting such information to the public in order to gauge support for necessary increases, saying, “Right now, we do not have the data to ascertain that this increment is actually needed.”
As discussions continue, stakeholders are hopeful that the upcoming meetings will lead to a more transparent dialogue between the commission and the affected businesses, potentially paving the way for a more collaborative approach in deciding future tariff adjustments.
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