The Fiji Labour Party (FLP) has raised serious concerns over electricity tariff increases approved by the Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) for Energy Fiji Limited (EFL), questioning the lack of public and business consultation ahead of the changes due to take effect on 1 January 2026.
In a letter to FCCC Chief Executive Officer Senikavika Jiuta, Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry said the Commission failed to follow established procedures by not first publishing the proposed tariff increases for public information and submissions.
“In keeping with past practice, a decision should only be made on an application after public submissions have been considered,” Mr Chaudhry said.
“In our view, it is wrong for FCCC to announce increases as an extension of Energy Fiji’s earlier application in 2023 which had been rejected.”
Mr Chaudhry said EFL should have lodged a fresh application, which should then have gone through the normal process of public consultation before any decision was made.
The Labour Party also highlighted growing concern within the business community, with several businesses warning of the potential negative impact of higher electricity costs on their operations.
“Businesses we have spoken to are apprehensive about the effects of these increases and have warned that the added costs will inevitably be passed on to consumers,” Mr Chaudhry said, adding that this could lead to higher prices for goods and services across the economy.
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