The Trades Union Congress has kicked against an increment in water and electricity tariffs.
The TUC is of the view that an increment in the tariffs will have far-reaching implications on households who are already reeling from the severe economic crisis confronting the country.
The Electricity Company of Ghana has proposed an increase in tariffs by 148% for 2022 and with 7.6% average adjustments between the periods of 2023 to 2026.
The proposed sharp increment, according to ECG, is due to the gap between the actual cost recovery tariff and PURC-approved tariffs as well as the cost of completed projects.
VRA is also asking for a tariff increase of 37% whereas GRIDCO and NEDCO are demanding a 48% increase in transmission charges and 113% increase respectively.
But the TUC says “We do not need astronomical increases in tariffs in these challenging times. Rather, what we need are measures that will reduce waste to the barest minimum and infuse efficiency in the operations of the utility companies that will help to sustain them over a long period of time.”
“Government must consider absorbing some of the losses of the utilities arising out of the current levels of inflation and currency depreciation. Government must also provide the needed resources to enable the utilities to undertake the critical investments in the generation, transmission, and distribution of both electricity and water. Government must ensure a comprehensive review of the contract for the Desalination Project to make it fair to Ghana.”
“PURC must not approve the proposed tariff increases,” it added.
The TUC further proposed the following;
- PURC must ensure that the utility companies reduce waste to the minimum.
- The proposal to eliminate the multiple electricity tariff bands and end cross-subsidization is ill-timed.
- There is the need for government to continue to support the utility companies to undertake some of the critical investments needed to ensure the stability of the electricity and water networks.
- Government should address the challenges posed by the Desalination Plant once and for all.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
