Fijians will face another round of price increases from next Tuesday after the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission approved higher electricity charges and a nationwide rise in bus fares. The FCCC announced an interim fuel surcharge of 5.91 cents per kilowatt hour on electricity bills and a 22.5 percent across‑the‑board increase in bus fares, saying the measures are necessary to maintain reliable power supply and public transport amid rising global fuel costs.
FCCC chief executive Senikavika Jiuta, speaking alongside commissioner Esrom Immanuel at a joint press conference, acknowledged the added strain the changes will place on households and businesses already coping with cost‑of‑living pressures. “These are decisions that impact families, businesses, workers, students and commuters alike. I want to assure all Fijians that the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission approach both reviews with great care, diligence and responsibility,” she said, adding that the commission recognised the burden the adjustments will bring.
Under the revised tariff, domestic customers who currently pay roughly 34 cents per kilowatt hour will see their rate move nearer to 39 cents per kilowatt hour once the interim surcharge is applied. The FCCC estimates an average household with a monthly electricity bill of about $68 will face almost $12 more in monthly charges. Commercial users are likely to be hit harder — some businesses could see monthly electricity bills rise by as much as $300, depending on consumption.
Public transport users will also feel the pinch. Stage One bus fares will increase from $1.02 to about $1.25 under the 22.5 percent hike, with similar proportional rises across other fare stages, the commission said. The FCCC stressed the increases apply nationwide and are interim measures designed to reflect current international fuel market pressures.
Jiuta attributed the decisions to sustained upward pressure on fuel prices and geopolitical instability overseas, referencing the broader international context that has earlier raised warnings from the commission. In March the FCCC had cautioned that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and other global tensions could drive up fuel and food prices in Fiji because the country is heavily dependent on imported fuel. The commission reiterated that dependency makes Fiji vulnerable to rapid fluctuations in international oil markets.
While accepting the unpopularity of the move, the FCCC defended it as a difficult but necessary balancing act between shielding consumers from unwarranted costs and ensuring the continued, sustainable provision of essential services. “This decision reflects the careful balance FCCC has to strike between protecting consumers from excessive costs while also ensuring Fiji continues to have reliable and sustainable electricity supply,” Jiuta said.
The interim surcharge and fare increases are set to take effect from May 26. The FCCC did not indicate how long the interim surcharge would remain in place or whether further adjustments could follow if global fuel prices continue to move. The commission advised customers and commuters to plan for the higher costs while it monitors international market developments.