The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is demanding an immediate and unconditional reversal of the new utility tariffs announced by the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC).
“We call for an immediate and unconditional reversal of the announced increases and further to that, a reduction in the prices of electricity and water,“a statement signed by the General Secretary of the TUC said.
The PURC on September 30 announced an increment of electricity and water tariffs by 6.54 percent and 4.54 percent respectively.
[contextly_sidebar id=”F8lImKX285KScrsZCj4RgkZWDphGQF3p”]The Commission explained that the increment was made after careful consideration of all factors which forms the basis of the Automatic Adjustment Formula.
The PURC advised Ghanaians to conserve energy and water to reduce the challenges being faced with the unreliable supply of these two essential commodities.
But the TUC believes the increment is “ill- timed” and absolutely “insensitive”.
The Union expressed shock at the PURC’s decision saying, “we are shocked and outraged by the recently announced increases in utility prices by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC). As we are all aware, electricity rate has gone up by about six percent (6%) and Water by about four percent (4%).”
It said the only reason for the “facile reflex of simply increasing the prices without regard to the plight of the Ghanaian people is to take unfair advantage of the working people, weak and vulnerable in our society.”
The TUC said it will take all legitimate action to ensure that the “attempt by the PURC at taking, we, the people of this country for granted is resisted.”
Meanwhile, the TUC has revealed it has begun processes to ensure that the price increases are reversed and relief granted to the working people and vulnerable in the society.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) predicted this year that electricity tariffs are likely to go up again between October and December.
The Chief Executive of VRA, Kirk Koffi,who confirmed this to Citi News insisted the move will be in the best interest of Ghana.
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah