Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC)

The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission said fuel price movements continue to be influenced by factors beyond the control of ICCC.

“The increase in the price for petrol is attributed to the decrease in Singapore’s commercial supplies of light distillates (which include petrol) while the increase in supplies of middle distillates (which include diesel and kerosene) has led to the slight decrease in diesel and kerosene prices.

In a notice to PMVs, the ICCC has set K1 bus fare for adults, primary and secondary students will pay 50t while tertiary students are 80t.

“This is the approved bus fare for 2019,” said ICCC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Paulus Ain.

“PMV crews must not charge more than this amount. If you charge the passengers more than this amount, you will be charged.”

PMV users (commuters) are urged to report to the ICCC on 325 2144 or 180 3333 (toll free) and provide the following details:

Therefore, as at 24^th November 2018 to date, all business mergers and acquisitions are subject to the new mandatory notification regime, as opposed to the former voluntary notification regime, subject to certain thresholds.

ICCC received the Notice of Commencement of the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (Amendment) Act 2018 (No.9 of 2018) [the Amendment] on 6^th June 2019.

According to the ICCC’s calculations, retail prices for petrol, diesel and kerosene will all decrease on average throughout PNG as of 08^th June. The decrease in the retail prices is mainly attributed to a decrease in crude oil prices during the month of May and also a decrease in international sea freight rates for these petroleum products for the same month.

The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission said the increase is mainly attributed to the rise in crude oil prices driven by steady demand and tight supplies, the depreciation of the PNG Kina against the US dollar in April, 2019, plus an increase in international sea freight for the petroleum products in the same month.

This was after considering that the MoU does not have any anti-competitive clauses and that competition concerns are not likely to be established.

On 16^th August last year, it was reported that ANCL, a subsidiary of Air Niugini Limited, and Hevilift entered into a MoU for the usage of a Hevilift ATR-42 freighter aircraft by ANCL for freighter purposes. The ICCC then initiated inquiries into the arrangement.

A number of complaints received and recorded at the ICCC office relate to PMVs charging above the ICCC approved fare of K0.90 for all routes in NCD. The reason for the overcharging is a result of the current road construction in various parts of the city causing traffic congestion.

ICCC Commissioner and CEO, Paulus Ain, said PMV operators are reminded to refrain or immediately cease this conduct/practice or will be prosecuted under the Prices Regulations Act (PR Act) and the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission Act 2002 (ICCC Act).

In a statement, the ICCC advised that even though MFCL and NBPOL announced that the acquisition was completed on 23^rd August, 2018, both parties never obtained a clearance or an authorisation from them. 

ICCC Commissioner and CEO, Paulus Ain, said it is important for businesses to apply for clearance or authorisation from the ICCC to safeguard the concerned parties from potential legal action from the ICCC or any aggrieved third parties under the ICCC Act.

Parliament passed the amendments last week.

A very happy ICCC team today welcomed the new law that now gives the competition watch dog some power to prosecute.

The amendments are for section 81 and 82 of the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission Act 2002, provisions for voluntary merger notification.

According to the ICCC’s calculations, retail fuel prices (for petrol, diesel and kerosene) will all decrease throughout PNG as of 08^th July, 2018.

The decreases in retail fuel prices for this month are attributed to the decreases in their Import Parity Prices (IPP) for this month. The reductions in the IPP are mainly due to the drop in crude oil prices in June.