The Government has moved to centralise oversight of the national fuel situation, appointing the Permanent Secretary for Public Works as Fuel Controller under the Fuel and Power Emergency Act 1974, and said fuel supplies across Fiji remain stable as it monitors potential impacts from global developments, particularly tensions in the Middle East.
In a statement, authorities said a dedicated Fuel Advisory Committee is closely tracking domestic fuel stocks, working in coordination with the Fiji Commerce Commission, the Reserve Bank of Fiji and the Ministry of Finance. The committee is assessing supply levels and the likely economic fallout from shifting global conditions, with the aim of keeping “economic activity and daily life” from being disrupted, the statement said.
Government officials praised motorists and consumers for orderly behaviour that has helped ensure smooth distribution nationwide. They also commended households that have adopted fuel-saving measures — including greater use of renewable energy, carpooling, public transport, cycling, walking and reducing non-essential travel — saying such steps have eased immediate distribution pressures.
As part of contingency planning, the Permanent Secretary for Public Works has been formally designated Fuel Controller under the 1974 legislation, centralising responsibility for coordinating the national response. The statement did not name the Permanent Secretary but said the appointment is a precautionary move to streamline decision-making and logistics should the supply picture deteriorate.
Officials reiterated that the Ministry of Information is the official source of verified updates and urged the public to rely on that channel rather than social media or unconfirmed reports. “Fuel remains available, and there is no need to change your normal daily routine,” the Government said, while urging continued calm and responsible behaviour as monitoring continues.
The update is the latest development after weeks of regional concern over how escalating conflict in the Middle East has pushed global energy markets into volatility. Previous warnings from the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission highlighted the nation’s vulnerability as an importer of all its fuel and cautioned that disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and wider Gulf shipping routes could translate into higher prices at the pump. The commission has noted that international price movements can show up locally with around a one-month lag.
While the Government’s statement stresses current supply stability, it acknowledges the risk of changes to the global picture and says contingency protocols are in place. The advisory committee’s coordination with economic agencies — including the Reserve Bank and Finance Ministry — indicates a focus not only on physical supply but also on economic measures to limit wider impacts if international prices climb.
For now, the administration’s message is one of reassurance: supplies are steady, oversight has been strengthened through the Fuel Controller appointment, and authorities are monitoring international developments closely while urging the public to depend on official communications.
Leave a comment