Tobago Correspondent
Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales says Government will soon publicly announce its decision on the Regulated Industries Commission’s recommendations on electricity rates.
He said the rates are still being closely reviewed and discussed by Cabinet at this time.
“We just ask the RIC to return to us with some further clarification. I expect that information to be returned within the next week or so. The Government will report to the country on its final recommendations and or policy directives to T&EC (Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission) on the matter,” Gonzales said during the commissioning of the $8 million Bad Hill Well Development programme in Tobago on Monday.
“We (Cabinet) started our robust discussions on that and very soon we will be reporting to the country on the decision of the Cabinet with respect to the recommendations of the RIC.”
Last October, the RIC announced its proposed rate increases for T&TEC, ranging from 15 to 64 per cent for residential, 37 to 61 per cent for commercial and a 58 to 72 per cent increase for industrial clients.
The RIC also recommended changing billing cycles from bi-monthly to monthly and implementing a four-tier rate system instead of three tiers.
In December, the Cabinet requested further clarification from the RIC on the rates.
T&TEC will be authorised to implement the RIC recommendations when and if the Cabinet approves the last proposal made.