The National Federation Party (NFP) has expressed its strong opposition to a proposed increase in electricity tariffs, asserting there is no justifiable reason to raise costs for consumers in residential, commercial, or industrial sectors. NFP President Parmod Chand has communicated the party’s concerns directly to the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), urging both the FCCC and Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) to withdraw their proposal for the benefit of the nation.
Chand stated, “There is no need whatsoever to increase electricity tariffs,” highlighting the importance of retracting the proposal to reduce the uncertainty and controversy that has arisen following its announcement, which many view as insufficiently transparent. Public backlash has intensified since the FCCC approved EFL’s request for a tariff increase scheduled for May 2025, which Chand described as “catastrophic” due to a lack of adequate public consultation in the process.
He pointed out that even the public consultations being conducted by the FCCC have been criticized for their authenticity. Furthermore, Chand dismissed EFL’s assertion that 99,000 residential consumers would not be affected by the proposed increase, labeling this claim as misguided. He argued that significant tariff hikes for commercial clients would likely lead to increased prices for goods and services as businesses attempt to recover their higher costs, inevitably impacting consumers.
Chand cautioned that the proposed tariff increase could threaten the progress made in controlling inflation, which has been relatively low in 2025. “Our primary objective must always be to protect Fijians from unjust tariff hikes and safeguard our business community while fostering investment,” he stated.
While acknowledging the need for investments in energy security and sustainability, Chand emphasized that these must be weighed against the social and economic impacts. He praised the coalition government for implementing various cost-of-living initiatives over the past three budgets, including electricity subsidies aimed at helping low-income households that consume 100 kilowatt-hours or less each month.
In closing, Chand called for EFL and the FCCC to carefully consider the potential ramifications of the proposed changes on households and the overall economy, insisting that the proposal should be withdrawn for the nation’s best interests. This appeal underscores the party’s commitment to protecting Fijian consumers and ensuring the economic resilience of the country amidst the challenges of energy policy.