PM assures public power supply remains secure after EFL talks

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says Fiji’s power supply will not be affected following discussions with Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) and the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) yesterday.

Mr Rabuka made the assurance after EFL deferred planned nationwide power rationing that had been scheduled to begin on June 1.

Following the meeting, the Prime Minister said any nationwide power rationing measures would be “softened” to reduce the impact on the public, adding that logistical costs — rather than electricity supply shortages — were the main challenge facing EFL.

“Whatever comes out, it is going to be softened because they have assured us that supply is not going to be a problem,” Mr Rabuka said.

“The costs are the problem that is not related to the supply problem, which we are having. It is just the cost of the logistics.”

EFL had earlier warned that without urgent financial support by May 22, controlled load shedding or nationwide power cuts could begin from June 1 as rising global fuel prices pushed the company’s operating costs well beyond what it charged customers.

The issue remains under ongoing review.

Attempts to obtain comments from EFL were unsuccessful.

Reallocation of funds

Mr Rabuka also addressed concerns that the reallocation of government funds had slowed projects under the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services.

The Prime Minister also met with line minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau yesterday.

“Those projects that continue to employ people should continue to be funded,” Mr Rabuka said.

“Other areas that do not involve employment, as well as those that do not quite ease the burden of the rise in the cost of living, should continue, but not those that will curtail the employment of people.”