Prez Mahama justifies increase in utility tariffs

Graphic.com.gh Oct - 19 - 2015 , 13:36

President John Dramani Mahama has justified calls by some utility service providers for an increase in tariffs.

According to him, consumers will have to pay more if they want continuous power supply.

Justifying the need for an increase in tariffs, President Mahama explained that the cost of power generation was becoming more expensive.

He was speaking on Kumasi-based Garden City Radio Monday.

He said, “Hydro is the cheapest and thermal is the most expensive. When Akosombo Dam was operating at its peak, we relied more on hydro and less on thermal but the trend will have to change because of the fallen water level of the dam. This will mean that we will use more thermal power which is more expensive. And so, if we genuinely want reliable, sustainable power then we have to pay more.”

President Mahama also stated that due to the low water level of the Akosombo Dam, four units of the dam would be shut down next year.

He explained that “Because the hydro that used to subsidise our power is no longer available, next year we will use two only two units of Akosombo else the dam will break down. Normally by this time this year the water level at Akosombo Dam should be between 155-160ft but it could not get to that level because of lack of rains this year.”

President Mahama also noted that, “We all have gone through dumsor. We spent more fuelling generator plants with petrol or diesel. It’s far more expensive than what the ECG gives us and so if we want more reliable power and not dumsor we might have to pay more. That’s the reality.”