The Fiji Times has reported that Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel has terminated the appointment of Cecil Browne as chairman of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), replacing him with former FCCC chief executive Joel Abraham. This decision took place on December 24.
In a brief conversation, Mr. Immanuel mentioned that he would provide further clarification later in the day. The announcement follows recent public discussions concerning the FCCC’s decision to raise tariffs for Energy Fiji Limited (EFL), which has generated considerable debate among the public.
Inquiries surrounding the leadership transition have been directed to both Mr. Browne and Mr. Abraham, but responses were still awaited at the time of publication. The FCCC is crucial in regulating prices, safeguarding consumer interests, and maintaining competition within key sectors of the Fijian economy.
Mr. Abraham has a history with the FCCC, previously serving as its CEO before taking up various senior positions in governmental agencies. Meanwhile, the reasoning behind Mr. Browne’s removal, as well as any potential connections to the recent tariff increase, remain undisclosed.
As updates arrive, the situation will be monitored closely to provide further insights into this significant development. This leadership change presents an opportunity for new strategies in consumer protection and regulatory oversight, which could benefit the Fijian public in the long term.