Govt confirms possible reduction in electricity tariffs

Cape Coast, Feb. 10, GNA- The Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Akoto Osei, on Tuesday confirmed the view by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) published in a national daily, also on Tuesday, that electricity tariffs, could go down by April this year.

He said this could come about if the water level in the Akosombo Dam, rises to the expected level and that the cost of electricity was currently high, because the Akosombo Dam, generates just 40 per cent of electricity, while the remaining 60 per cent is produced at the Aboadze thermal plant at a high expense, as the plant runs on oil.

Dr Osei, made the confirmation at the Central Regional 'Forum on the 2004 Budget' at Cape Coast, to explain contents of the budget in simple terms, to enable the public to seek clearance on issues agitating their minds.

According to him, water tariff, was also likely to go down, as the current high tariff, could be attributed to the high cost of the electricity used for water production.

The Minister was reacting to questions raised as to what the government was doing to ease workers plight, especially, about the high cost of utilities.

On education, Dr Osei said nine billion cedis have been earmarked for assistance to primary school children in 40 selected deprived districts in the country, to cover the payment of fees and other levies, and hinted that with time, the package would be extended to more deprived areas in the country.

Dr Osei also spoke of plans to sell low cost houses to sitting tenants who are workers and said a committee has been set up to handle the issue and mentioned various tax relief mesures provided by the budget to help ensure the growth of businesses.

On road construction, he said the Twifo-Praso-Dunkwa and the Kasoa-Bawjiase roads are some of the major roads in the region, which have been earmarked for rehabilitation.

For his part, the Regional Minister, Mr. Isaac Edumadze, also briefed the forum on the highlights of the budget and mentioned the private sector and reduction of import duties, as some of the major areas the budget has given "special attention" to.

The MP for Gomoa East, Mr. Richmond Quarm, reiterated the need for Ghanaians to embrace the health insurance scheme, which he said, would be to the advantage of the poor, and wondered "why the lives of human beings should not be insured, when buildings, cars and other properties were being insured".

Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area, who chaired the function, deplored the apathetic attitudes of citizens of the area towards such fora, and urged them to develop interest in national issues.