Cost‑cutting call extended to councils and agencies

Local councils and government agencies have been urged to cut costs as the fuel crisis worsens, with the call led by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

Today, line minister Maciu Nalumisa backed Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s announcement of a 20 per cent pay cut for all ministers, assistant ministers and MPs.

Mr Nalumisa said the same message needed to be carried through to agencies and local councils under his ministry’s oversight.

“We need to advise our agencies as well as local councils to do the right thing and also come up with cost‑cutting measures,” Mr Nalumisa told the Fiji Sun.

“We don’t know how long the crisis will go, so the only thing that we can do is be more prudent and smart in the way we manage things right now.”

Suva City Council is already moving.

Council acting chief executive officer Tevita Boseiwaqa said he had directed heads of departments to review fuel usage across council operations.

He said a formal resolution was expected to go before the standing committee and the ordinary council meeting within the next two weeks.

In the meantime, practical changes are already being considered, including using smaller vehicles for city rounds instead of 4x4s, and deploying enforcement officers on motorbikes rather than cars.

“It’s urgent. We have to do it within this month,” Mr Boseiwaqa said.

He assured ratepayers that services would not be affected, noting the council draws revenue from rates, fees and rentals, rather than from a single source.

The council is also reviewing its rates and fees schedule, which has not been updated for some time, although Mr Boseiwaqa said timing would be carefully considered given the current cost‑of‑living pressures.