Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:14 hours 9 min ago
Panday: It’s cruel to raise electricity rates
Published: 22 Aug 2009
Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday is describing the hike in electricity rates as a cruel act by the Government. He said the Government had become deaf to the public’s needs of the already financially troubled population.
Panday made the comment in a news release yesterday. He said the increase in electricity rates was heartless of the Government because the nation had already been burdened by the 300 per cent rise in food prices and a third of the population was living below the poverty line. He said he was aware that the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) had made its recommendation for a price increase. He said, however, it was up to the Government to adhere to these recommendations.
Panday said he was disappointed that the Government had chosen to follow the RIC recommendation. Panday said, “The timing for such an increase is just not right. It is a slap in the face to a country which is currently experiencing a financial crisis, because of the global economic downturn.” He said the Government had not taken into account the ripple effect the increase would cause, like a further hike in food prices as manufactures would need to put out more money for electricity. Panday said the Government needed to recognise its social responsibility to achieve and maintain a stable economic environment.
The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) said the increase in electricity rates would take effect from September 1. It said the rates for residential, commercial and industrial customers would be raised by one per cent per unit (kWh). Street lighting customers would also experience a two per cent increase.
Mr. Panday...I hardly think
Mr. Panday...I hardly think 1 cent on every dollar is going to put everyone out of pocket.
Electricity in Trinbago is
Electricity in Trinbago is one of the cheapest in the world, one cent is not going to kill.
Trinbagonians know how to conserve their electricity all they want is the assurance that instances of light failure becomes a thing of the past.
No more looking at a good show on telly and the light goes off for and hour.
Quote: "He said he was aware
Quote: "He said he was aware that the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) had made its recommendation for a price increase" -
So how about giving the public a heads up next time Baso! Also, I think it's cruel that you remain in your position and spout your verbal diarrhea on a daily basis to the public, any chance of that changing??
Like most of Trinidad I
Like most of Trinidad I welcome any opportunity to blast de Bass. Just the sight of his name in an article and I'm ready to "hit him for six". It would appear that he is making a mountain out of a molehill. I did the calculation for a household using 1500 kWh and it translates to an increase of $17.25 per bill. So yes, not much overall.
The Guardian reporter could have done a much better job in reporting on the rate increase by giving the breakdown according to the different consumption bands, that is 0-400 kWh, 400-1000 kWh etc. Also the article wrongly states that the increase is "One per cent per unit (kWh", whereas it is one cent per unit in each consumption band.
Now back to Bass. While we can control our electricity bill, the other categories of electricity users namely "Streetlighting customers (Regional and Borough Coroporations) and Commercial customers will find ways pass on their increases to us the Residential customers. All these really add up, so Bass is right about the "Ripple efect"
Nevertheless, to rephrase Karl Hudson-Phillips from 1981 "Bass must go! Must go! Must go!"
'Ah going back to basics,'
'Ah going back to basics,' sang the calypsonian. How about if we conserve electricity in our homes for a change?:
1. Switch off lights during the daytime;
2. Use the A.C. to cool down your room then use the fan;
3. Cook with propane gas instead of electric stove;
4. Reduce the number of floodlights in your yard.
5. Instal an overhead water tank and turn off your water pump.
If the above fail to ruduce you light bill, then disconnect and 'go back to basic', complete with outhouse.
ajfyzabadbutlertown
Boss I am not conserving
Boss I am not conserving anything, as long as manning and the PNM squandering. I am not supporting nothing state own in Trinidad and Tobago.
Tell Manning to do that with the AC at the million dollar house, Turn off the AC in Parliament, Lock up hart, and then I might think about it.
Most people in this country cannot even afford food, much less for AC.
Ryan4Party
Freeness: national watchword
Freeness: national watchword of Trinidad and Tobago. Yet, we go to live in the metropolitan countries and don't mind paying, in US$ or Euro or Pounds, huge monthly sums for enjoying the utilities. It's time we learn to pay for services. Dr Williams spoiled too much people by making TT a welfare state, and any move to change that is always met with protest. T&TEC is a performing utility, unlike WASA. Let's pay the people they money so they could provide the excellent service they are providing at the present moment.
ajfyzabadbutlertown
Bass it is Cruel not to step
Bass it is Cruel not to step down and keep dragging you supporters on. You are not doing nothing for the country.
Ryan4Party@live.com