THE Fiji Times has confirmed Minister for Commerce and Business Development, Esrom Immanuel, had appointed former Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) CEO Joel Abraham as FCCC chairman on December 24, only to rescind the appointment 24 hours later.
The Fiji Times had confirmed through multiple sources that Cecil Browne was removed as FCCC chair on December 24. He was appointed by former minister Manoa Kamikamica when the FCCC fell under the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications.
The commission now sits under the Ministry of Commerce and Business Development, and its line minister issued the termination letter on Christmas Eve.
Correspondence sighted by this newspaper shows that Mr Immanuel appointed Sydney-based Joel Abraham on the same day Mr Browne was removed, with the appointment effective December 25. His term is for three years, expiring on December 24, 2028.
However, yesterday Mr Immanuel told this newspaper “status quo remained”.
“Joel (Abraham) is resigning so he can focus more on other important areas of the economy instead of looking at processes and governance at FCCC,” said Mr Immanuel.
“The processes and governance will be looked into by our commerce team.”
Mr Immanuel added Mr Browne remained the chair of FCCC.
The leadership change came just days after the FCCC announced an increase to Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) tariffs, prompting public debate.
Correspondence cited by this newspaper reveals FCCC CEO Senikavika Jiuta raising concern at the removal of Mr Browne with Mr Immanuel. She explained to the minister that the recent electricity tariff review followed due process.
“To read of your dissatisfaction in the paper compared to your ‘ok’ to us was very contradictory,” she stated.
Questions were also sent to Mr Browne and Mr Abraham, but both had yet to respond when this edition went to print.
