Cogito, ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. (René Descartes, mathematician and philosopher,1599-1650)

Saturday 5 March 2011

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

Electricity Charges

The Commerce Commission is on the road to reducing the cost of Internet charges. I wonder why? It will certainly be beneficial for customers, especially business people, because the internet is the most popular, efficient and fastest communications highway in use today.



At the same time, the Commerce Commission has said that electricity charges should be raised because the weather and rising fuel prices are making the Fiji Electrical Authority unprofitable.

Sure, but electricity is a very important part of a person’s life and is used every day and by almost every living soul in Fiji. Let me paint just one scenario. When Government determines  how it will collect revenue, it usually raises duty rates on luxury items and tries to keep the cost down on basic items needed for everyday life, like food. It cares for the poor.

If you look around you there is always talk about helping the poor. Open any magazine or the Internet and there will be something about helping eradicate poverty.

Wouldn’t it be more prudent to lower electricity prices before Internet charges?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Under the current global economic environment and political crisis in the Middle East electricity charges are more likely to increase than decrease. Can FEA promote solar energy for those interested ? If consumers make the effort they can make some savings on elecricity. It's astonishing though that business houses continue to be allowed to waste energy on too many lights on in their premises overnight. Shouldn't there be a decree against such wastage ?