No way for a servant of the people to be talking about the Authority that appointed her - however ‘independent’ her Organisation may be.
Those are the comments of Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka after the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission CEO, Senikavika Jiuta posted on her LinkedIn page that rules have been shifted mid-game to suit political or personal agendas, undermining trust in the very systems meant to protect it.
Jiuta says when a regulator is pressured to serve political convenience rather than regulatory principle, independence is eroded.
She says when the rules are followed properly and without favour, accusations of incompetence suddenly appear.
Jiuta says that raises a serious question: Are we incompetent—or are we simply unwilling to play games that compromise integrity.
She adds true regulatory competence is not about pleasing power, it is about applying the rules consistently, resisting interference, and standing by decisions that are evidence-based and lawful, even when they are unpopular.
However Rabuka has told fijivillage News that the real test of a person’s character is how they handle positions of authority.
This drama is unfolding after the electricity tariff issue.
Many people including the Consumer Council of Fiji and the Fiji Employers and Commerce Federation had asked for a review of the electricity tariff decision by the FCCC as it will drastically affect people.
Their main concerns include the lack of a new round of proper consultations after the EFL's 2023 submission to FCCC was rejected in 2024.
They are also concerned that the cost of non price control items will rise which will affect everyone.
They stress 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.
Although the FCCC is saying it is having consultations, questions are now being raised whether real consultations are taking place.
Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development, Esrom Immanuel says he has raised this with the FCCC when concerned members of the public raised the issue about the lack of proper consultations.
Immanuel says it is not acceptable.
