Government not insensitive steel industries- Abingya

Accra (Greater Accra), 18 Nov1998 - Mr Simon Abingya, Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy today justified the recent increase in utility tariffs in the country, saying there was no amount of insensitivity in arriving at the new the rates. He was speaking at the closing of a two-day entrepreneurship and marketing seminar for 27 energy service companies and consultants in Accra. The Deputy Minister explained that the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) must have taken into consideration a number of factors including the interest of the public and industry before fixing the rates. The workshop, organised by the Energy Foundation was to help build the capacity of the participants towards the adoption of innovative and efficient measures to conserve energy. Mr Abingya said the Cabinet sub-committee appointed to look at the impact of the tariff increases on steel companies is yet to present its report. "Government programmes aimed at improving the energy sector to make it attractive for foreign and private sector participation are yielding positive results", he added. Mr Andrew Quayson, an energy consultant who chaired the function, advised industries to plan ahead to withstand demands of future increase in power tariffs. He urged the participants to put into practice skills and knowledge acquired to help conserve energy. Mr Ernest Asare, Marketing Officer of the Energy Foundation said plans are far advanced to organise more seminars nation-wide. Certificates of participation were presented to the participants.