Political party leaders are calling on the Government to immediately address the fuel price increase issue and offer suggestions on how the State could do it.
Social Democratic Liberal Party leader Viliame Gavoka said he was “stunned” that the Government continued to transfer the burden of external shocks on to Fijians, many of whom were struggling to make ends meet.
National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad said the Government would provide immediate relief by dropping duty on fuel by 20 cents per litre and charging duty on Freight on Board (FOB) instead of the current policy of charging duty on Cost Insurance Freight (CIF).
Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry said by immediately removing 15 per cent import VAT, fuel cost would come down.
He also said the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission had to move away from monthly fuel price review.
Meanwhile, Attorney-General and Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the Ukraine-Russia war was the reason for the increase in prices of goods and other services.
