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General News of Tuesday, 8 December 2015
Source: myjoyonline.com
Mr K.T. Hammond
The Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, Kobena Tahir Hammond has vowed not to pay the new electricity tariff should it take effect on December 14.
He said yielding to the new tariff would amount to paying for the “incompetence” of the John Mahama-led government.
The Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) announced a 59.2% increase in electricity as well as a 67.2% increase in water which are expected to take effect on December 14, 2015.
The announcement has attracted avalanche of criticisms from consumers, especially businesses and trade unionists.
The Minority in Parliament did not mince words in attacking government as the cause of utility companies’ woes.
“59 percent in Ghana because the money (cedi) is hopelessly useless compared to the dollar. We are being punished for matters beyond our control; we have absolutely no hand in how the economy is run…,” Minority spokesperson on Energy K.T. Hammond said.
The MP said he is prepared to live in darkness instead of paying for the new rate.
He was incensed that salary increment is not commensurate with the margin of utility prices.
“I am clear in my mind that I won’t pay, let them take their light, m3da summu (will sleep in darkness). If you don’t pay, you don’t get light, it is as simple as that; this is not a criminal offence,” he protested.
Former Chief Executive Officer of Volta River Authority Charles Wereko-Brobby told Joy News the timing of the tariff hikes is wrong albeit justified.
He believed the utility provider ought to prove that it would be able to restore power to consumers before introducing the new tariff.
He however urged Ghanaians to cut down on the talk and act by accepting the PURC challenge to petition them if they have any concern about the increases.
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