Many business leaders have voiced strong opposition to the proposed increase in the electricity tariff for 2025, according to Lawrence Kumar, president of the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In a recent interview, Kumar expressed concerns about the lack of proper consultations with business stakeholders regarding this significant change.
Kumar criticized the process, stating, “This has actually landed upon us without prior consultations.” He emphasized that stakeholders were not adequately informed about how the new tariff was calculated and the rationale behind it. “It feels like we put the cart before the horse, where consultations should have been done properly,” he added.
He noted that businesses in Nadi have largely rejected the proposed tariff increase, stating they believe it needs to be postponed for an adequate period. He stressed the importance of having proper consultations and presenting sufficient data to help both the business sector and the general public understand the necessity of the increase.
Kumar also reflected on a past consultation held by Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) in 2023, noting that EFL presented comprehensive data about their plans for the next decade, along with justifications for potential tariff increases. In contrast, he highlighted that no such detailed information has been provided regarding the current proposed increase.
In response to the concerns raised by the NCCI, the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) announced plans to hold consultations with stakeholders, including the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation and the Nadi Chamber of Commerce. FCCC CEO Senikavika Jiuta indicated that they are open to meeting with the NCCI to address these pressing issues. She stated, “If the Nadi Chamber of Commerce wants us to come and have a meeting, we will come down to meet with the 200 members.” A meeting date with FCEF members is expected to be confirmed soon.
The ongoing dialogues between businesses and regulatory authorities may lead to a better understanding and potentially a more acceptable resolution concerning the electricity tariff, ensuring the voices of stakeholders are heard and taken into account.