OPPOSITION Leader Inia Seruiratu has expressed strong concerns regarding the forthcoming electricity tariff increases, describing them as a potential trigger for detrimental inflationary effects that will disproportionately impact the most vulnerable households in Fiji. Set to take effect on January 1, 2026, the new tiered tariffs have raised alarms for Seruiratu, prompting him to call for the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) to halt their implementation until a comprehensive social impact audit is conducted to assess the repercussions on consumers.
Mr. Seruiratu argued that the narrative promoted by Energy Fiji Ltd and FCCC, which suggests that 52 percent of domestic customers will experience no increase due to their consumption of under 100 units, is misleading. He emphasized that while some households may not see a direct rise in their electricity bills, they will inevitably feel the effects of increased costs passed down from businesses.
“When you increase electricity prices for commercial sectors such as supermarkets and food processors, you are essentially driving up the cost of food,” he stated. “A family may pay the same for their lightbulb, but they will pay significantly more for groceries the next day. This is not protection; it’s an additional tax on everyday essentials.”
The Opposition Leader pointed out that the 24.2 percent revenue increase mandated by the FCCC could lead businesses into a ‘Profit Recovery’ mode, which would, in turn, result in higher prices for consumers. He specifically noted that businesses in rural and remote areas, including Vanua Levu, Lau, Ovalau, and Rotuma, where logistics costs are already high, would feel the burden of this increase even more severely.
Seruiratu urged the government to re-evaluate the consequences of the proposed tariffs, asserting that the hike would stifle investment in critical regions that the National Development Plan 2025–2029 aims to uplift.
He concluded by demanding a suspension of the tariff hike until an independent audit is completed and called on the FCCC to ensure that retailers do not exploit the higher electricity costs as an excuse for further inflation of prices on basic goods. “We cannot accept a ‘fair tariff’ if it results in unfair prices for essential commodities like bread,” he emphasized.
The call to action emphasizes the urgent need for a thorough examination of the potential impact of the upcoming tariffs to safeguard the interests of Fijian families and mitigate the probability of escalating living costs.