Government must plan for the worst: Narube

Former Reserve Bank of Fiji governor Savenaca Narube is urging the Government to quickly announce a clear strategy on fuel supply instead of simply telling Fijians not to panic.

Mr Narube made the comments after long queues of vehicles were seen at service stations in Suva and other parts of the country on Monday, with several pumps running dry.

Stations in the Western Division also reported waiting for fuel tanker deliveries.

“Don’t just say don’t panic,” Mr Narube told this newspaper.

“I think they need to plan for the worst, but hope for the better.”

He said the direction must come from Government and expressed disappointment that last week’s sitting of Parliament produced only general statements with little concrete action.

“The one that should really be setting the direction is government,” he said.

“I haven’t heard anything yet.”

Advice for Fijians

Mr Narube urged Fijians not to rush to service stations out of fear.

“Do not rush to the pumps out of fear, as panic only makes shortages worse,” he said.

“Just go to the pumps when you need fuel.”

He also advised people to avoid unnecessary trips and consider using public transport to help conserve the country’s fuel supply.

Mr Narube said the situation was linked to the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, which had disrupted global oil supply routes, including the Strait of Hormuz — a key shipping passage for about 20 per cent of the world’s oil.

“We are not alone here; everybody is holding its breath that the war will end soon. That is beyond our control.”

Government said in a statement yesterday that fuel supply was sufficient for the next few months and that Cabinet would meet today to finalise a long-term plan.