Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj has criticised Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) for what he described as poor after-hours response times and lengthy power reconnection delays, saying Fijians deserve a 24-hour electricity service.
Speaking during the 2026-2027 National Budget debate in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Maharaj said electricity was “not a luxury” but an essential service, yet many households were left without power for extended periods when faults occurred outside normal business hours.
“It is unacceptable that when a technical fault occurs outside a standard business hour, citizens are left stranded,” he said.
“Everyday families are forced to wait an entire night or a full weekend in darkness before EFL deploys a maintenance crew.”
Mr Maharaj claimed people with personal contacts within EFL received quicker assistance than ordinary customers.
“Unless and until you know someone in EFL, at CEO level, you give him the call, they attend, but if you do not, you will have to wait overnight.”
He also criticised EFL’s reconnection process following disconnections for unpaid bills.
“If the household faces disconnection, EFL cuts the power immediately. However, once the consumer pays their bill, they are forced to wait up to three days just to get the power restored.”
Mr Maharaj said such delays were unacceptable in a modern digital economy.
“Fijians pay for 24-7 utility, and they deserve 24-7 service.”
He also claimed many rural households were still waiting for electricity because funding for rural electrification had been significantly reduced or removed.
