A CALL has been made for Government-backed solar support as community representatives warned that proposed electricity tariff increases by Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) would hit low-income households the hardest.
Deputy chairman of the District Advisory Council for Naitasiri province and Justice of the Peace Mehboob Rahman Ali made this submission to the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) yesterday.
“We hope the commission gives serious consideration to the points we have raised,” Mr Ali said.
“There is a perspective that needs to be looked at from both the business and public sectors.”
He said residential electricity rates might remain comparatively lower, but increases for commercial and industrial users would eventually affect ordinary consumers.
“If the cost of power for businesses increases, they will raise the prices of the goods they sell, and that will come back to affect the poor,” he said.
Mr Ali suggested the Government consider subsidies or grants for alternative energy solutions, such as solar systems, to ease the long-term burden on households.
“In the future, the Government should look at providing subsidies or grants to help people manage these costs.”
“Solar systems can be part of the solution, especially for families already struggling with high living costs.”
He said the committee opposed any further increase, noting that electricity rates were already high.
“If the previous rates were already high, any further increase makes it very expensive for us,” Mr Ali said.
Mr Ali also encouraged the public to participate in FCCC consultations, noting low attendance at the hearings.
“It is very important for people to submit their feedback and raise their voices; if we sit silently at home, nothing will change.”
He urged residents to engage with the Consumer Council and FCCC staff to understand how electricity rates affect different groups, including low-income earners, the elderly, residential users, and commercial operators.
