ALL businesses in the country are urged to attend scheduled public consultations and also make written submissions on the electricity tariff rate structure.
Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) made this call in response to the many concerns it said it had received from businesses on the impact of this proposed “substantial” increase.
FCEF executive officer Edward Bernard said FCEF would continue to push for a reduced increase rate.
“The suspension of implementation is a welcomed update, and we acknowledge FCCC for this,” Mr Bernard said in a statement.
“It is now important for businesses to have their views heard via attendance at the public consultations and written submissions,” he said.
On December 19 last year, the FCCC had announced the proposed increase in electricity tariff for residential customers using from 101 to above 300 kWh by an average of 4.5 per cent; and commercial customers would an average increase of approximately 34.7 per cent across four usage tiers.
The FCCC had said then that the increased tariffs were intended to support $1.57 billion in investments (24.2 per cent increased revenue) for EFL over the next four years.
Mr Bernard said the 34.7 per cent average increase for commercial users would further elevate the costs of doing business in Fiji, with likely consequences for business expansion, investment decisions, and overall competitiveness.
He said those pressures would be felt across all sectors, business sizes, ownership types, and geographic locations.
“This trajectory risks undermining national targets, including increasing MSME contribution to 22 per cent and lifting investment to 20 per cent of GDP by 2030.”
Mr Bernard said FCEF was collating a consolidated submission and would seek a focussed audience with FCCC and make a submission on behalf of the private sector.
The FCCC has also strongly encouraged domestic consumers, consumer groups, industries, government departments, political parties, social organisations and youth representatives to attend the consultation sessions and make submissions.
The FCCC has scheduled public consultations from January 6-15 in all divisions.
Northern Division
– 6th – Labasa Town – 10am-3pm – space near Civic Centre
– 7th – Seaqaqa – 10am-3pm- in front of Legends Investment
– 8th – Savusavu Town – 10am-3pm – in front of Savusavu Town Council office.
Western Division
– 7th – Sigatoka Town – 10am-3pm – B L Naidu space
– 7th – Nadi Town – 10am-3pm – Dias, opposite Nadi market
– 8th – Ba Town – 10am-3pm – New World space
– 8th – Lautoka – 10am-3pm – venue to be confirmed
– 9th – Tavua – 10am-3pm – Courts Fiji Ltd and Max Value corridor
– 9th – Rakiraki – 10am-3pm – venue to be confirmed.
Central Division
– 13th – Suva – 10am-3pm – MHCC mall
– 13th – Valelevu – 10am-3pm – in front of New World supermarket
– 13th – Levuka – 10am-3pm – Levuka main town and villages
– 14th – Nakasi – 10am-3pm – Rups Mega complex
– 14th – Nausori -10am-3pm – police tent in front of Max Value supermarket
– 15th – Lami – 10am-3pm – venue to be confirmed
– 15th – Navua – 10am-3pm – venue to be confirmed.
