THE Government is being urged to tighten regulations governing freight costs and the pricing of goods and services on maritime islands after concerns were raised that consumers in Kadavu continue to pay inflated prices for every day essentials.
In an interview after the Bose ni Yasana o Kadavu at the Suva Civic Centre on Tuesday, provincial chairman Isikeli Vuniwaqa said businesses were able to set prices with little oversight because freight charges remained largely unregulated.
“Yes, we have made complaints to Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) on the unregulated pricing on goods and services in the island,” he said.
Mr Vuniwaqa said the situation had worsened following increases in fuel prices, with the higher cost of transportation flowing through to essential goods sold in Kadavu.
“Given the effects of fuels crisis, all goods that are sold in Kadavu are poorly regulated.”
He said the absence of controls on freight charges allowed retailers to determine their own prices.
“People who own businesses in Kadavu have their own ability to increase the prices because there is no regulation on freight.”
Mr Vuniwaqa said island communities had little choice but to pay the higher costs.
“People in Kadavu are forced to pay high prices because of this,” he said.
He said freight charges and transport costs remained major contributors to the high cost of living.
“The fuel prices, the cost of transportation, all those are not regulated.”
Mr Vuniwaqa called on the Government to introduce stronger oversight to protect consumers.
“We ask the government to have a more discreet level of regulation, responding to the issues.”
