Cabinet sub committee meets on electricity tariffs

Accra, (Greater Accra)13,Nov 1998 -

The special cabinet sub committee appointed by the President to look at the impact of the recent increases in electricity tariffs on high electricity consuming industries, has met representatives of affected companies as well as the private sector, Electricity Compnay of Ghana, and the Volta River Authority, at the Castle, Osu. A statement signed by the out-going Minister of Communications, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, said the meeting suggested the need for negotiations between the affected industries and the ECG with a view to arriving at a possible reduction in tariffs and granting of some concessions to the affected industries such as reduction of some taxes, with the consent of Parliament. The meeting said the ECG should also consider off-peak periods. It urged all affected industries to reduce the cost of production by taking a serious look at their operational structures. Industries represented at the meeting were Tema Steel Company Limited, Ferro Fabrik Limited, Wahome Steel Limited and the Tropical Glass Company all of whom have threatened to close down if the new electrity tariffs were not reduce. The industries claim that the tariffs did not make it economically viable for them to operate because they are too high. GRi ../