Ghana Election 2016: “Outrageous” Tariff Hikes Dangerous For Gov’t – Spio

Trade minister Ekow Spio Gabrah has said the increment in utility tariffs is dangerous for the Mahama-led administration, especially in an election year. In his view, the increment should have been staggered instead of being introduced at a go in order to ease the financial stress on Ghanaians.
Government has increased electricity and water tariffs to 59.2 per cent and 67.2 per cent respectively. Billing for the new tariffs took effect on December 14, last year. The Trades Union Congress has however compelled the government to accept a marginal decrease in the tariffs. But speaking to the media in the Volta region, the former communications minister said the move is dangerous for the government as election beckons.

 “First month in an election year and you wonder if utility rates have to go up by 150 per cent. Why didn’t it go up by 20 per cent two, three years ago, 30 per cent last year and maybe 40 per cent this year to more or less achieve the same objective? “Why have some of these institutions waited till election year and all of a sudden you hear incredibly outrageous rates…all the way to ordinary water that human beings drink. “Are they trying to raise revenue for a particular purpose? What is the objective,” he fumed.



Source: Starrfmonline