Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has recognized the significant impact that the rising cost of living has on households, while defending the recent increase in electricity tariffs in his New Year’s address to the nation. He acknowledged the understandable concern among families facing escalating expenses but emphasized that the decision to raise tariffs was necessary for ensuring the long-term stability and reliability of Fiji’s national power supply.
Rabuka remarked, “These decisions were not taken lightly,” highlighting that a robust energy sector is essential for fostering economic growth, creating jobs, and ensuring national resilience. The changes in electricity tariffs are aimed at promoting investment in renewable energy and enhancing rural electrification, thus equipping the country to meet future energy demands.
In light of the ongoing cost-of-living challenges, the Prime Minister has urged citizens to engage in backyard agriculture and small-scale farming as tangible ways to alleviate financial burdens. He encouraged families, schools, and communities to consider growing their own food to mitigate daily expenses, stating that enhancing food security at the household level can reduce dependence on imported food and keep more money circulating within the local economy. “Every backyard garden helps ease the cost of living,” he added.
Rabuka’s remarks come amid ongoing concerns regarding electricity and food prices for many Fijians. The government aims to strike a balance between economic sustainability and addressing the immediate financial pressures faced by households, fostering a hopeful narrative of self-reliance and community resilience through local food production.
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