CABINET and the Fuel Advisory Committee were not given the opportunity to consider the latest fuel price increase before it was announced by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC).
Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya said the announcement by the FCCC was made without prior Cabinet deliberation, noting that the commission operates independently under the law.
“I just want to clarify that was not a Government decision, that was the decision of the FCCC, which is an independent body of Government,” she said.
“In the next few days, we are going to be putting together some financial mitigation measures to mitigate this increase in fuel prices.”
She acknowledged that global factors continue to drive fuel costs upward, making increases largely unavoidable.
“We’re really dictated by what’s happening globally. The fuel price increase is inevitable.”
Among the options being considered are incentives for fuel companies to help absorb some of the costs, with the aim of limiting the impact on transport operators and the broader cost of goods and services.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka acknowledged public frustration over rising fuel prices, particularly following earlier indications that prices would remain stable.
Speaking to a congregation at the Centenary Methodist Church, he reflected on the challenges of leadership amid shifting public expectations.
“The very same people who celebrated our victory are lining up there to ask us; why did you raise fuel prices? Why did you lie to us,” he said.
