Warikima Mohammed,
Secretary
The way and manner in which tarrifs are increased in this country could lead to a situation where one day we would wake up to the news that many people have decided not to use pipe borne water or electricity anymore.
This is because people are gradually becoming fed up with this situation, more so when it does not come with any significant improvement in the services being rendered.
If you take the Upper West Region for instance, already many residents are struggling to make ends meet, not to talk even of those in the rural areas. If the proposed tariff increases is implemented, it will mean that some people will be denied access to electricity and potable water due to their inability to pay.
Under the circumstances, they would turn to other sources for water which could be unwholesome, and thus we may have a big problem on our hands as water borne diseases which we have fought over years to eradicate may rear their ugly heads once again.
When tariffs would have to be increased at all cost, then that must be done in line with a general increase in salaries so that the demand to increase utility tariffs would be mitigated by increase in salaries to enable people pay for utility services.
I think I that the utility companies should not think of increasing tariffs especially at this crucial period when the economy seem to be very stagnant and nothing seems to be moving the way it was expected.
Madam Mariga Musah,
Teacher
I do not really have a problem with increases in utility tariffs provided they come with the expected quality service that we all require.
Unfortunately, I have a problem when we pay huge tariffs and yet the services that are provided keep fluctuating or are completely cut off without any prior notification.
I think that the problems the utility companies face, should have nothing to do with us as consumers. It is an internal problem bedeviling these institutions and it is high time a solution was found.
With the Electricity Company of Ghana (EGC) for instance, certain people have been put in charge of reading the metres and are also engaged in disconnection exercises.
Unfortunately, some of these contractors end up collecting money from customers which does not get to the company, and thereby deny the company of projected funds needed to carry out its maintenance works among other investments.
The Ghana Water Company on the other hand assigns people to certain locations as caretakers who collect money on behalf of the company but fail to render proper accounts.
In my view, the companies must put very stringent measures in place to be able to keep track of their funds as a large percenage go into individual pockets. They should also device ways to recoup funds that are in arrears.
Mr Dennis
Amartey Ahia,
Radiographer
I say a big no to tariff increases. My reason being that the nation was promised a better Ghana and it is a surprise that so soon we should be slapped with proposed increase in tariffs. Where then is the better Ghana? so I say no to any attempt to increase utility tariffs.
When tariffs are increased now, we will be moving from the better Ghana situation to one of a worst Ghana and so we ought to be careful the way we handle this issue.
Just like petroleum prices which dictate the prices of commodities in this country, the moment tariffs on water and electricity go up, we should automatically anticipate spontaneous increase in essential products, particularly frozen foods.
Even if tariffs are increased by marginal percentage, it would not be justified because of the subsequent hardships as it would not be in line with the recent increase in the minimum wage.
Before the present Government took over the reigns of power, at least we could say that the Ghanaian currency was more or less equivalent to the dollar. But now, the situation has changed and it is not in favour of consumers.
Any increase in tariffs on utilities at this crucial point considering our adverse economic situation would really bring with it the kind of hardship we have never experienced before. For some years now all we do in this country, is to incease utility tariffs, while the quality of service rendered in exchange has not improved.
Abdul Shakur,
Legal Practitioner
I will support an increase in utility tariffs to the extent that it will be commensurate with the services provided by the utility companies. Under such situation, one could go to sleep fully assured that at least ones electrical gadgets will be insulated against break downs due to power fluctuations.
One could also be rest assured of constant flow of water through the taps without any headache. However, if the increases will not reflect the kind of services sought for by consumers, then it is not welcome.
Many a time it is argued that consumers are not paying realistic tariffs. I think this argument does not hold water, especially when the companies responsible for providing utility services cannot guarantee a 24-hour uninterrupted services. Why then do they deserve the supposed extra funds for which they are calling for an increase in tariffs?
It is worth noting that as human institutions dealing with machines, they may encounter problems but it should not be made a regular feature where constantly problems keep rearing their heads much to the chagrin and disappointment of the consumers.
Really I think it is a chicken and egg situation where you give me the best of services and I also honour my expected recompense when it is due.
What ever it is, utility companies really need some form of capitalisation to be able to stand on their own and improve upon their services including replacing their obsolete equipments. which more often than not are the causes of some of their problems.
Anita Asase,
Student, Wa
Polytechnic
As a country it is important that the issue of utility tariffs is dealt with once and for all. It looks as if matters concerning tariffs have become an albatross round our necks and keeps recurring.
I know it is important that we pay the required tariffs for the use of utility services, be it electricity, water or whatever utility. This way, the used in churning out the services could be maintained and the workers also paid.
However, I am of the opinion that utility tariffs must not be increased now considering the burden it would have on us as people. I say this because the economy is in dire circumstances with a lot of people really feeling the heat and hardly able to make ends meet. Therefore, if tariffs go up there is going to be a lot more pressure on families.
On the other hand if the increment is so crucial that it is the only way out to salvage the utility companies, then I suggest that the percentage increase must be very minimal in order not to over-burden the citizenry. In addition, I propose that such an increase corresponds with the provision of efficient services from these companies so that we get value for money.
But considering the present situation where lights for instance, keep fluctuating and people’s gadgets get destroyed, it will not be acceptable we have to pay so much and in the end have to go repairing our damaged appliances.
Patience Alhassan,
Hairdresser
This is a topic I have been pondering over for a long time now. Just look at the way I’m struggling as a hairdresser, I need water and electricity all the time but that has not been the case.
It is either the taps do not flow or that water is being rationed. It is really perturbing, the manner in which these two institutions, water and electricity, give us so much headache.
It is almost impossible to live without the two. Interestingly, both water and electricity move hand in hand and when there is a problem with water electricity is affected and vice versa.
Currently, times are hard as people do not have even enough money to buy food to eat. And so if utility tariffs should also be increased then we are doomed. What is happening to this country of ours? Suddenly it’s all about increase in this or that. I think there is something wrong somewhere and the authorities really need to sit up and relieve us of the burden.
In this hair dressing profession for instance sometimes there are days when one’s services would not be patronised as expected and yet we are expected to pay huge tariffs.
I would like to plead with the institutions to rather concentrate on making available more of the prepaid metres because like many others I’m more comfortable with that than the postpaid metres.
With the prepaid I purchase as many units as I can afford and then use it. Unlike the prepaid metres, the postpaid metres come with all sorts of bills that are sometimes over bloated and yet one is expected to pay without any complaint.
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