GOVERNMENT must lead by example in preparing for a worsening global fuel crisis, says Rewa chief and Great Council of Chiefs member Ro Naulu Mataitini.
And Ro Naulu warned Fiji was running out of time to act.
He said Government must immediately enforce mandatory carpooling for government fleets, reduce ministerial travel, tighter limits on official vehicle use, set air-conditioning in all ministries to a minimum of 24, ensuring lights and electrical equipment are switched off after working hours, and cut general energy waste across all departments.
He called for mandatory work-from-home arrangements for non-essential public servants at least three days a week, saying daily commuting was one of the country’s largest fuel drains.
He also proposed alternate-day driving using odd and even number plates, expanded bus and minibus lanes along the Suva-Nausori corridor, and restrictions on non-essential fuel sales if shortages worsened
Ro Naulu said Fiji was “living on borrowed time” as global oil demand continued to outpace supply, warning the impact would soon be felt through higher fuel prices, possible shortages, and pressure on the national power system.
He said 76 countries had already activated emergency measures to manage energy demand, while Fiji remained exposed due to its lack of significant fuel reserves and a fragile electricity grid.
“If we wait until we are in crisis, it will be too late to prepare. Only damage control will be left.”
He also renewed calls for a State of Emergency, arguing that Fiji’s overlapping challenges including energy insecurity, drugs, HIV, and NCDs required faster legal powers to respond.
“We did it for COVID. This crisis is just as urgent.”
