Taveuni faces fuel shortage crisis

Taveuni Island, often referred to as the 'Garden Island' of Fiji, is grappling with a severe fuel shortage that threatens to cripple public transport, businesses, and the supply of essential goods. Transport operators warn that the island could be completely out of fuel by the end of the week if current shipping disruptions are not resolved.

Prakash Sami, Taveuni Transport Manager, stated that his company has enough fuel for only one more week. "The service stations are out with the fuel, and a lot of public transports are not being able to provide service at the moment," Sami said. He added, "If Goundar Shipping doesn’t sail after a week, then my buses won’t be able to provide service for the public."

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The service stations are out with the fuel, and a lot of public transports are not being able to provide service at the moment. Looking at the bus, I have fuel for another week. If Goundar Shipping doesn’t sail after a week, then my buses won’t be able to provide service for the public.

The impact extends beyond transportation. Grocery supplies are also running low on supermarket shelves as deliveries are delayed. "The shop groceries are running out on the shelves in the supermarket, so looking at these major food items, rice, flour, and other important resources for the people are running out at the moment," Sami noted, expressing hope for Goundar Shipping to restart services soon.

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The shop groceries are running out on the shelves in the supermarket, so looking at these major food items, rice, flour, and other important resources for the people are running out at the moment. We’re looking forward for Goundar Shipping to restart service to Taveuni.

Naqara business owner Mukesh Chottu echoed these concerns, reporting that fuel shortages have already slowed economic activity. "Most of the buses we go to, they say they don’t have any fuel. There is a shortage of fuel, since ships are not coming. Everything’s slow, business is slow, and a lot of cars are parked because there’s no fuel," he explained. Chottu also confirmed that supermarkets are beginning to run low on essential goods due to the shipping delays.

The Fijian government has acknowledged the disruption affecting maritime islands and is investigating the transport service issues linked to the shipping delays. Without a swift resumption of services, Taveuni faces the prospect of severe disruption to its transport network, food security, and daily economic life.

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Most of the buses we go to, they say they don’t have any fuel. There is a shortage of fuel, since ships are not coming. Everything’s slow, business is slow, and a lot of cars are parked because there’s no fuel. Hopefully we get something by this weekend.