President of IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe, has described government’s decision to extend a six month lifeline to cushion some categories of power consumers in the country as “exceedingly pointless”.
This followed government’s announcement of the GHc 300 million package on Monday, after widespread protest over metering and billing anomalies in the power sector.
[contextly_sidebar id=”bOnZfNUhPTcgHyiMA95xQc7sf26oevjC”]The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), has subsequently said the policy would not in any way affect the prevailing tariff structure in the power sector.
But Franklin Cudjoe believes this policy will only pile up debt and is yet another reason why the ECG must be given out to private sector operators to ensure efficiency.
“This is one more reason that I keep saying that the ECG should be divested so that the private sector participation will take full control,” the IMANI President said in a Citi News interview.
“Time and again, the ECG has lent itself to some of these infractions. I call them economic suicide and they are happily participating in it. I think that this whole lifeline thing is completely unnecessary. It is not necessary at all and besides, where is the money going to come from?”
Mr. Cudjoe further asserted that, the ECG will never be better as long as “it is tied to the apron strings of government.”
“Every little thing that involves Government unfortunately tends to fall into disarray, so for me this whole lifeline thing is just piling up death. This is extremely unfortunate, exceedingly pointless,” Mr. Cudjoe lamented.
ISODEC wants taxes on petroleum reduced
The Integrated Social Development Center (ISODEC) also wants government to scrap the subsidies on electricity tariffs and instead reduce the taxes on petroleum products.
The Campaign Coordinator of ISODEC, Dr. Steve Manteaw, who made the call said the subsidies are only a cover up for higher taxes that negatively affect consumers.
“…if you want to really give people relief, the place to tackle is the taxes. Do something about the taxes and we will all get the relief we desire,” he said.
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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana