Outcry over fuel price hike

Fijians across the country are calling on Government to provide relief measures to cushion the impact of the fuel price increase announced by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC).

The increase took effect yesterday, with many questioning earlier assurances by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel that there would be no rise until May.

Public reaction was mixed.

Lautoka

In Lautoka, security guard Rajesh Pratap said struggling families would be hit hardest.

“We are already struggling with wages. Now fuel prices have increased and everything else will go up. How can we survive?” he said.

Taxi drivers Satish Kumar and Salesh Raj said higher fuel prices would likely lead to fare increases.

“We are already struggling. If fuel prices go up, we will have to increase taxi fares to survive,” they said.

Market vendor Makitalena Lelei said the increase would affect families in the highlands of Ba, who already pay $4 per student for travel from Koroboya Village to Ba Town.

“With the fuel increase, school fares will also rise. It will affect transporting our children and our goods to Lautoka Market,” she said.

Lautoka and Yasawa Ex-Servicemen Association president Sekove Bainivanua said people needed to adapt.

“We always have to be ready. These changes will help us manage what we have better,” he said.

Ba/Nadi

Moto, Ba, sugarcane farmer Olivia Likusiga said the rise in kerosene prices would hit households.

“There is a big pinch in kerosene. We use a stove that needs kerosene, but now we may have to use firewood. We hope this eases soon,” she said.

Nadi resident Lawrence Kumar said the announcement was unexpected.

“Government said there would be no hike, but then it happened. They need to stick to their word,” he said.

John Bell of Nailaga, Ba, said the increase was not surprising.

“We have to manage it. There is no other way,” he said.

Malawai, Nadi resident Inosi Namuatiqe said people needed to remain optimistic. “We need to adjust to what comes. Be optimistic,” he said.

Yako resident Janend Ram said he would try to absorb costs for now.

“I operate a taxi. I will try not to pass the increase on to my regular customers this month, but it depends on how things go,” he said.

Suva

Taxi driver Anand Prasad said the increase would affect his income.

“Before, I filled more than 20 litres. Now I have to cut down. We will see how this goes,” he said.

“Taxi drivers may have to limit trips and work longer hours to make enough income.”

Another driver Salen Prasad said many families relied on taxi earnings.

“Times are hard. We are trying to find ways to feed our families with what we have,” he said. “At times like these, drivers work extra hours to make ends meet.”

Suva Municipal Market vendor Seremasi Baravi said transport costs would rise.

“Travelling early from home to the market will cost me more,” she said.

Labasa

In Labasa, pre-cooked fish seller Divulagi Loma, 63, said she may increase meal prices.

She said the cost of cooking oil, tomato sauce, juice mixes, cassava and fish was likely to rise.

A fish parcel currently costing about $12 could increase to $15. “We have to prepare for increases to cover our costs,” she said.

She called on Government to reduce Value Added Tax from 12.5 per cent.

Food vendor Makelesi Ditua said rising fuel costs would reduce profits. “Our profit will shrink. We have to prepare for the worst,” she said.