Immanuel says lack of meaningful engagement in Labasa tariff consultation is unacceptable if true

Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel says if claims that residents in Labasa were not given an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions during public consultation on electricity tariff rate by the FCCC are true then that is not acceptable .

This comes after Labasa farmer Dewan Chand, who also works at a law firm, says this was not a consultation but merely an information session where people were told that tariffs would increase.

A frustrated Chand says a consultative process is one in which people’s views are heard, expressed and considered before major decisions are made.

Chand also says he does not agree with the increase, as many people are already living in poverty while the cost of living continues to rise.

While responding to questions by fijivillage News, Immanuel says he has spoken to FCCC CEO Senikavika Jiuta, who has disputed the claims. 

The FCCC is expected to respond to questions soon. 

Meanwhile, FCCC, while making announcements on consultations on Saturday, had encouraged all Fijians to actively participate in their public consultation sessions on the electricity tariff rate structure for in-person consultation sessions.