Call made to move fuel pricing away from S’pore

DOMESTIC fuel prices have been based on Singapore rates for the past few decades and needs review, says Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) commissioner Paulus Ain.
This was one of several issues discussed yesterday at the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry breakfast.
During his presentation, Ain said: “I don’t know why the government has decided to follow pricing arrangement that is reflecting Singapore prices. That’s an arrangement that has been there for about 30 years.
“That is something I can’t change overnight, as that was a law placed by the government at the time.
“We try our best to get through to government and ask them but not much has come about. We are waiting for the contract to expire and we should do away with it.”
Ain also clarified the commission’s role in regulating the telecommunications sector, alongside National Information Communication and Technology Authority (Nicta).
“Nicta is responsible for the consumers and the pricing and regulatory aspects of this and this function that is usually with ICCC has been taken over,” he said.
“What we do is we work with them as they have divisionary unit that deals with consumer and price issues. We only deal with competition for this sector. And this is the case with our role in giving clearance for the ongoing merger between telecommunications.”