The Government has embarked on a review of Fiji’s Petroleum Act and Regulation 1938 and subsidiary legislation of 1978.
A consultant is now being sought to develop a revised Petroleum Act and Regulation 2025, according to tender documents released by the Government.
“The Republic of Fiji, like any other Pacific Island, is heavily dependent on mineral fuels to support economic development in all sectors of the economy, including transport, tourism, manufacturing, mining, energy and agriculture,” said the tender documents.
“In 2023 alone, according to Fiji Bureau of Statistics data, Fiji imported around 944 million litres of mineral fuels, specifically diesel, unleaded, kerosene, aviation and HFO with a monetary value of over $1billion.
“In terms of energy security, it is also important to maintain safety, fuel infrastructure integrity and the security of supply and the oil facilities.
“However, as time evolves, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) risks, insurance, environment consideration, updated petroleum standards and climate change commitments are the prominent subjects Fiji has to deal with when handling mineral fuels.”
The tender states while the Petroleum Act and Regulation 1938 has successfully governed the sector over the past decades, the challenges and issues faced by the rapidly evolving petroleum sector has rendered the need for the Act to be reviewed.
“Some of the provisions of the Act have even become irrelevant and others lack the technical details required to ensure public safety.
“There’s also a need to review the Act to ensure that the sectors remain vibrant, encourages competition and reduces cost, high standard of petroleum infrastructures are built and high quality (cleaner) fuels and lubricant oils are dispensed to end users.”
