A worsening fuel shortage and ongoing disruptions to shipping services has taken a toll on Taveuni, leaving homes without power, delaying the movement of agricultural produce and forcing tourism operators to scale back services.
Residents and business owners say the shortages affect almost every aspect of daily life, with calls mounting for urgent action to restore reliable fuel supplies and shipping services.
Homestay operator Kim Apisai Rova said accommodation providers were struggling to maintain the level of service expected by visitors because essential supplies were becoming increasingly difficult to access.
“As an Airbnb and homestay host, I know how much we rely on consistent access to fuel, food and essential supplies to provide the level of hospitality our visitors expect,” he said.
Mr Rova said his business was forced to reduce and cancel transportation and guest transfer services because of the fuel shortage. He said accommodation providers also relied on regular shipping services to replenish food, toiletries, cooking gas and other necessities.
The disruptions had also impacted farmers, with many unable to transport produce to markets. Dalo farmers had delayed harvesting mature crops because they were uncertain when shipping services would resume. Farmers, fishermen and small entrepreneurs reported they suffered because they could not get their products to the markets on time, resulting in lost income and wasted produce.
“When shipping services stop, it is not just cargo that is delayed — people’s livelihoods are interrupted.”
The fuel shortage also left a number of households without electricity. Businessman Prakash Sami said many homes that relied on generators had been without power for several days after exhausting their fuel supplies. Goundar Shipping and Interlink Shipping, which normally provide shipping services to Taveuni every Wednesday and Saturday, suspended their operations last week, with Goundar citing an ongoing dispute with the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji and the Government over the employment conditions of seafarers, as well as regulatory issues and a shortage of qualified crew.
Interlink suspended its services because of a shortage of experienced and qualified seafarers, claiming the authorities had not approved applications to recruit experienced overseas crew. Both shipping companies are expected to resume services from today.
