'Don't play politics with fuel crisis'

NFP Leader Professor Biman Prasad has hit back at opposition politicians he says are exploiting the fuel crisis for political gain, while also defending Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka over comments that drew public criticism.

"My message to everyone, including the opposition, is not to play politics, think about elections and pick on individual events," Prof Prasad said at a media conference at NFP headquarters in Tamavua yesterday.

He said opposition attacks on Mr Rabuka over his earlier assurance that there was no fuel price hike were unfair and taken out of context.

"The critics are being very unfair to the Honourable Prime Minister," he said.

"What he said at that time was correct. There is no increase in fuel price, there is no shortage, and therefore people should not scramble and hoard and buy fuel."

Mr Rabuka had told the public three weeks ago there was no need for panic buying, with three months of fuel stock already in the country.

Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel also said at the time that no price increase was expected before May.

New FCCC-approved prices took effect on Tuesday, with diesel up 75 cents and kerosene up 71 cents per litre on Viti Levu.

Prof Prasad said Government now needed to focus on clear, factual communication with the public rather than allowing panic to spread.

"We have to be clear about what we are saying so that we don't create panic in the country," he said.

He warned the crisis could last well beyond what many expected and called on all sides of politics to respond with "responsible, clear and thoughtful ideas."