EFL workers need assurance – Party

GOVERNMENT needs to assure Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) workers their jobs were safe when Sevens Pacific Pte Ltd takes over the management of the company, says Unity Fiji party leader Savenaca Narube.

Mr Narube claimed the Fijian people were in the dark about Government’s dealings with the Japanese consortium.

“It is very important that the Government assures the EFL workers and their families that there will not be any loss in employment when the buyers take over the management of the company,” he said.

“What is dangerous is the opaqueness of the deal since EFL is not only one of the country’s biggest public company, but it provides one of the essential services of power.”

Mr Narube said even Parliament was not told of the deal while the law required Parliament to approve the sale of shares of public companies.

“In selling a large national company like EFL, we must always protect the national interests. It is standard best practice that the Government imposes boundaries on the increase in tariffs and protects the development of the sector.

“This is especially important when a foreign company is the buyer since buyers will prioritise their commercial interests narrowly based on profitability.

“To add to the mystery, why is the FNPF selling its shares in EFL which it bought only recently? My guess is that they were ordered to buy the EFL shares, and they have now grabbed the first opportunity to get rid of them.”

Questions sent to EFL yesterday regarding the concerns raised remain unanswered.