Despite increases in fuel prices, there does not appear to be any major change in fuel consumption patterns.
Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel told this newspaper Government had expected higher fuel prices to reduce usage, but that had not happened.
“It seems we’re still living normally,” Mr Immanuel said.
He said continued fuel use was adding pressure to the fuel situation, including prices and the level of assistance expected from Government.
Mr Immanuel said Government was trying to balance the impact of higher fuel prices with the need to encourage changes in spending and consumption behaviour.
“We’ve tried to pass on some of the increase, so the consumption level or attitude changes.
“For us to prioritise how we live, prioritise what expenses we need to, we can forego.
“But the needed ones, we continue on that basis.”
Mr Immanuel also confirmed Government had been in discussions with Energy Fiji Ltd on assistance linked to electricity costs.
When asked whether there were plans to subsidise electricity, he said EFL had recently received additional support.
“I think they pressured the market for rationing it. I think they announced that.
“But they were given some additional assistance last week, so that can assist that for some time.”
Mr Immanuel said the assistance would help EFL for a period of time as Government continued to respond to pressures caused by the fuel crisis.
