Although reliable sources have confirmed to fijivillage News that former Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission CEO, Joel Abraham was appointed as the new FCCC Chairperson on Christmas Eve and then had his appointment rescinded by the government in a day, Minister for Commerce, Esrom Immanuel says Abraham has resigned.
When questioned by fijivillage News, Immanuel says Abraham is resigning so he can focus more on other important areas of the economy instead of looking at processes and governance at FCCC.
Immanuel says the processes and governance will be looked into by their Commerce team.
We asked Immanuel whether Abraham had ordered a governance review of the FCCC decision to increase the electricity tariffs, whether his appointment was rescinded by the government, what will be done about the governance review, what will be done about the tariff increase as this will not just affect tariff increases but the prices of non price control items going up based on production costs and how he as the Minister is dealing with the governance review on the tariff.
Immanuel says the internal governance issues will be looked into by the internal auditors and the Ministry, while the financial issues will be looked at by the external auditor.
We have been told that Abraham who is the Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Regulatory Centre, had ordered for a governance review on the recent decision by the FCCC to increase electricity tariffs after taking up the Chairmanship of FCCC on Thursday.
We also sent questions to Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka.
He referred us to Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development, Esrom Immanuel.
Former banker and People’s Alliance candidate in the 2022 general elections, Cecil Browne has returned as Chairman of the FCCC.
When questioned on the Minister's comments that he had resigned, Abraham says no comments on the appointment issue.
He says he wants the country to be focused on a tariff rise that will come into effect in 6 days.
Abraham says there has been significant public attention on his appointment and subsequent developments at the FCCC.
He says he understands the emotions, opinions, and concern this has generated, and he is grateful for the many messages of support he has received.
However, he says this moment should not be about him.
Abraham says electricity pricing affects every household, every small business, every farmer, every worker, and every family trying to manage the rising cost of living.
He says that is where the nation’s attention should remain.
Abraham says personal appointments come and go but decisions on electricity tariffs have long-term consequences for ordinary Fijians.
He adds independent regulation matters, and so does transparency and accountability.
Abraham says above all, so does public confidence that decisions affecting people’s daily lives are made carefully, fairly, and in the public interest.
He says he does not support turning this situation into a personal or political spectacle, nor does he support attacks on individuals or institutions.
Abraham says Fiji is best served when we debate issues with maturity, facts, and respect.
His hope is that the focus now shifts back to the substance of the matter that is whether electricity pricing decisions are fair, justified, and affordable for the people of Fiji and whether the processes behind them meet the standards the public rightly expects.
Many people including the Consumer Council of Fiji and the Fiji Employers and Commerce Federation have asked for a review of the electricity tariff decision as it will drastically affect people.
Their main concerns include the lack of a new round of proper consultations and the cost of non price control items rising which will affect everyone.
They say it is not just about people paying minimal increases in their electricity bills or not pay anything more if they use 100 units or less of power.
Stay with us on this issue.
