radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Chairman of the Regulated Industries Commission Dawn Callender has given the assurance that consideration will be given to a recommendation for electricity rate increases to be made on a phased basis rather than all at once.
Speaking at public consultations held in Thicke Village, Fyzabad, on Saturday, Callender said at least 20 items are being researched currently and will be given due consideration when the RIC submits its proposals after consultations end on March 31.
Resident Roshan Seeramsingh said he understood why the rates are being increased and why it was being done now, but he said he could not understand why the increase is happening all at once.
“The percentages for the increase are significant and will hurt people in their pockets. Have you considered a phased increase in the rates? The country is suffering post-pandemic. Maybe, it could be done in two to three years,” he said.
Callender then responded saying: “I can assure you that we have taken it on board and we are doing different iterations on what is possible.”
Meanwhile, councillor for Avocat/San Francique North, Doodnath Mayrhoo said he would not accept hardship being put on people by the PNM by the RIC.
Bringing up his monthly bill of $414.45, Mayrhoo said after calculations by a RIC representative, his bill will go up on a monthly basis to $546. 73.
“This is an increase of over 25 per cent. All we are getting from this government is an increase and we are still facing a water crisis which the RIC is not doing anything about,” he said.
Mayrhoo said the RIC has not helped citizens in getting reliable water and electricity in the past but was doing the Government’s mandate to bring more hardship to people.