The Tema District Council of Labour (TDCL) has given the Trades Union Congress (TUC), a one week ultimatum to intervene in the latest increased in utility tariffs, which takes effect from December 14.
The commission on Monday approved a 59.2 percent increment for electricity and 67.2 percent for water.
[contextly_sidebar id=”MykMkof8rfPxP9VDxdZ2NlleLqVXG4OE”]Many groups including the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) have kicked against the decision, but the PURC insists it is in the best interest of consumers and service providers.
Speaking to Citi News, Wilson Agana, Chairman of the TDCL, said they are awaiting authorization from their mother body, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), before they wage war on the tariff hikes.
“…We are just getting into Christmas and you are increasing tariffs, is it not wickedness? It is not good, this thing we are going to fight it. The number of calls I’m receiving from the workers of Tema is uncountable. We are only waiting for TUC for one week. Next week we are calling a meeting and we will advise ourselves,” Mr. Agana stated.
Meanwhile, the Communications Director of the PURC, Nana Yaa Gyantua in justifying the increment, said it took them about “three weeks to arrive at this decision.”
She said “what should be of utmost importance to us is to ensure that gas at Atuabo runs very smoothly so that we don’t have any interruption in gas… The tariff standing on its own does not bring improvement. We have some plant and when they come on stream they have to be fueled and maintained.”
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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana