Fiji Sun

FCCC Plans to Charge Three Northern Traders

- NACANIELI TUILEVUKA nacanieli.tuilevuka@fijisun.com.fj

The Fijian Competitio­n and Consumer Commission plans to charge three traders in the Northern Division for offences related to the Homes CARE initiative.

Chief executive officer Joel Abraham yesterday said the FCCC’s legal team were preparing charges to file in court.

As per the findings of the FCCC investigat­ions, the three traders are to be charged for possible breaches under the Fijian Competitio­n and Consumer Commission Act 2010.

“The joint investigat­ion with the Consumer Council of Fiji has found a number of traders taking advantage of the current government assistance which has to date assisted more than 56,000 Fijians,” Mr Abraham said. “In the Northern Division, we’ve confirmed that we are filing charges against three traders, one of whom has committed price disparity.”

Last week, the FCCC charged four traders in the Western Division for similar issues.

In light of the findings, permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Social Welfare Josefa Koroivueta is urging the general public to be honest.

“With hefty fines for any fraudulent activities under the program. Anyone found to have breached the requiremen­ts of the Homes CARE initiative can face up to $20 000 in fines and up to 10 years imprisonme­nt,” Mr Koroivueta said.

 ??  ?? Fijian Competitio­n and Consumer Commission chief executive officer Joel Abraham
Fijian Competitio­n and Consumer Commission chief executive officer Joel Abraham

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