The Minister for Transport Pio Tikoduadua says the government will work on the details of its plan to sell fossil fuel.

The government has announced a plan to take control of the sale of fuel as highlighted in the governing party FijiFirst election manifesto.

“We are trying to put together some ways and measures to be able to mitigate particularly the rise in the price of fuel; a more consorted approach from Government with regards to how that is going to affect the people. It’s something we would want to do because it is such a critical component of national development.”

The President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau highlighted the plan in his address to the opening of Parliament in Suva yesterday.

“With the view to reduce fuel prices and increasing our buying power my Government will take control of the import of all fossil fuels such as petroleum and gas in place of the existing private companies. We will call for international tenders for the supply of fuel and the existing companies will then buy the fuel from Government.”

Ratu Epeli says the move would also establish price stability and give consumers competitive prices.