CJA kicks against tariff increases

The Committee for Joint Action (CJA), a pressure group, has urged government and the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) to urgently reverse the decision to increase tariffs.

The PURC last week announced an increase in electricity tariffs by 78.9 per cent and water by 52 per cent effective October 1.

A statement signed by Mr Kwesi Pratt, member of the CJA and copied to the Ghana News agency on Wednesday asked government to listen to the concerns of the people and reverse its decision.

It said since the increase in tariffs was announced; various groups such as the Socialist Forum of Ghana, New Patriotic Party, Convention People’s Party and the People’s National Convention and organised labour had condemned the move.

“All these groups with different ideological and political persuasions cannot be wrong and it is important for government to demonstrate that in pursuing its policies, it will listen to the concerns of the people,” the statement said.

The statement said the increases in the utility tariffs would pass on the cost of inefficiency, maladministration and corruption to innocent consumers.

It called on the government to take a long term of view of meeting the energy and water needs of Ghanaians, including efforts to reduce the cost of generating power and producing potable water for mass distribution.

Source: GNA