Lawrence Kumar, President of the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has expressed concerns regarding the public consultations held by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) about a proposed electricity tariff increase, drawing parallels to a similar event in Labasa. Kumar attended the Nadi consultation session and noted that it seemed less like an in-depth discussion and more of an informational event, a sentiment echoed by participants from the Labasa discussions.
During the consultations, which took place at FNPF Plaza, representatives from the FCCC, including Chief Executive Senikavika Jiuta, were present to address public inquiries regarding the proposed tariff changes. However, Kumar emphasized the necessity for a more structured approach, ideally featuring detailed presentations from both Energy Fiji Limited and the FCCC to better inform stakeholders.
He remarked, “The current government has consistently spoken about inclusivity, consultation, and engagement with stakeholders and the public. However, in this case, we are not seeing that fully reflected.” Nevertheless, Kumar commended the Ministry of Finance for delaying the tariff increase to allow for public discourse but urged that these consultations should not merely serve as a formality.
The feedback collected during these sessions is crucial, according to Kumar, who stated that genuine scrutiny of the data is essential, and the voices of the public must be thoughtfully considered. Attendees such as Sereima Bulou shared their impressions, noting that while the FCCC addressed impacts relevant to individual users effectively, concerns lingered regarding the indirect effects on broader consumer prices should the tariff increase be approved.
Jiuta assured the public that the consultations were sincere efforts to engage with concerns and that feedback gathered throughout the 21-day consultation period would be taken seriously. A decision regarding the proposed electricity tariff increase is anticipated two weeks after the conclusion of consultations. This ongoing dialogue highlights the importance of community engagement in shaping policies that directly affect consumers, underlining hope for a transparent and inclusive outcome.
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