Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj has warned that rising inflation and escalating fuel costs are pushing ordinary Fijians, transport operators and businesses to the brink.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Maharaj claimed the rising cost of food, fuel and essential services was eroding the value of Government assistance.
“Inflation is spiraling out of control. The price of essential commodities, food and basic services is skyrocketing, completely wiping out the delayed social welfare top-up before they even hit the people’s pocket,” Maharaj said.
He said the Finance Minister’s statement painted “a rosy picture” that did not reflect realities faced by the public.
Maharaj also raised concerns about fuel supply sustainability, warning that fuel companies were facing serious cash flow pressures.
“Fuel companies across Fiji are currently facing severe cash flow issues due to unsustainable wholesale margin and the skyrocketing cost of purchasing fuel in US dollars,” he said.
“If the Government continues to mismanage this sector, we will move past the price crisis very soon and see a severe shortage of fuel in Fiji, grinding our transport and industries to a total halt.”
The Opposition MP questioned why Government support had focused on bus operators while other transport sectors were excluded.
“The Government has allocated $4 million to the bus companies. I must ask, why only bus companies?” Maharaj said.
“Thousands of taxi and minibus operators who operate on the exact same poor roads and purchase the same expensive fuel have been entirely ignored.”
He said rural and maritime communities were likely to suffer the most from rising fuel costs, particularly boat operators and outer island transport providers already struggling with higher expenses.
“For many families in maritime Fiji, transport is not a luxury, it is a necessity for food supplies, medical access, education and economic survival,” he said.
Maharaj also warned that businesses and small enterprises were facing mounting pressure from increasing freight, transport and operating costs.
“When businesses suffer, ordinary workers and families suffer along with them,” he said.
