The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission says they will undertake an extensive national consultation regarding the proposed 17.27 percent electricity tariff increase by Energy Fiji Limited.
Commission CEO, Joel Abraham says this process is to ensure that they go to the people to hear their views.
He made the comments after National Federation Party Leader, Professor Biman Prasad says he does not understand why EFL is proposing to increase tariffs.
Abraham says the commission has always ensured a fair decision is made.
Abraham says to understand the process anyone can look at how such exercises have been done previously and if anyone is unsure they can contact FCCC to get full information.
Abraham adds the submission received has been made available, this reflects transparency on FCCC’s part.
He says this is the call for written submissions and other platforms for submissions will be opened for review.
The public submissions close on the 14th of next month.
Meanwhile, Prasad says EFL makes profit, pays dividends to the government and pays bonuses to their staff.
Prasad says the Fijian Consumer and Competition Commission has badly handled such an important issue right at the outset and the issue of national importance should receive the widest possible publicity so that every consumer is aware of it.
He says they should advertise about the submissions in all media outlets.
Prasad says the FCCC should also summarise EFL’s submission and advertise the proposed tariff increases and the reasons for it, adding that the EFL submission can be sourced from the
FCCC website is simply not good enough.
Prasad adds ordinary consumers do not understand the complexities of submissions and technical details that are in EFL’s submission.
Prasad says FCCC should conduct public hearings on an issue of national significance adding FCCC cannot expect ordinary consumers to email written submissions.
He adds it cannot expect consumers to understand a lengthy document submitted by EFL.
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