MP expresses displeasure about tariffs increment

Akyem Osino, May 02, GNA - Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, Member of

Parliament (MP) for Takoradi has described the increase in tariffs on electricity and water as insensitivity on the part of government. He said the move showed that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government had failed Ghanaians because it could not fulfil the numerous promises made during the 2008 electioneering campaign.

Mr Darko Mensah was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Age ncy at Osino in the Fanteakwa Constituency where he accompanied Nana Addo Dan kwa Akuffo-Addo, one of the flag bearer aspirants of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) on his regional tour to solicit votes. The Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) on Monday announced 89 percent and 36 percent increases on electricity and water respectively, which attracted a lot of criticisms from industry players and organized labour who described the move as outrageous and unacceptable. Mr Darko Mensah urged Ghanaians to vote for the NPP in 2012 to continu e the good works it started to create real prosperity for the people. He said the eight years administration of the NPP government led by former President John Agyekum Kuffour saw an improvement in the developme nt of the country. Touching on the cocoa smuggling in the country, especially on the borders, Mr Darko-Mensah attributed the situation to low producer price o f the product being offered by government as compared to what Cote d'Ivoire

was paying to its farmers.

He said whiles government was paying GH¢ 150 per bag to cocoa farmers, Cote d'Ivoire was paying GH¢ 250 to its farmers. Later in an address to polling station executives and party supporters, Mr Darko-Mensah appealed to them to vote massively for Nana Akuffo-Addo to l ead the party in the 2012 general election. He was of the view that Nana Addo's commitment and dedication to the NPP

over the years could not be over- emphasized. Nana Akuffo-Addo thanked the party supporters for the confidence reposed in him for electing him to lead the party in the 2008 election. He said when given the mandate for 2012, he would do all that he could t o provide the necessary financial support and logistics and ensure that the

party won the election. 02 June 10