New Generation Party leader Varinava Tiko has called on the people to vote for a government that can mitigate the cost of fuel and food.

Tiko's comments come after the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission had announced the rise in bus fares, biscuits and wheat.

In an interview, he told FijiLive that the people who only had a say in the increase in bus fares and food are government stakeholders and supermarkets.

“Every business must survive. The people can have a say only when they are shareholders in bus companies or supermarkets,” he said.

“Another way that the government can deal with this problem is to vote in a government that can control or mitigate these costs.

“The purpose of forming a new party was to create a new platform for the new generation of Fiji to transition leaders into a new era of principles-based governance approach.

“What we offer is a platform for a new beginning, especially for our new voters and aspiring leaders. We will not beg for donations from the rich or burden the poor,” he said.

He said the rise in fuel and food was beyond everyone's control.

By Nacanieli Tuilevuka