NDC's economic mismanagement cause of utility hikes - NPP

The Minority in Parliament has blamed the poor management of the economy for the recent hikes in utility tariffs.

At a news conference on Thursday, ranking member on Water Resources, Works and Housing, David Oppong Kusi, said the depreciation of the cedi features prominently in the reasons for the increment.

The caucus believes the tariff hikes reinforces its stance that Ghana’s economy is being mismanaged.

The minority is also accusing the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission of succumbing to pressure from the government to increase tariffs.

He however said the NPP is not entirely against the payment of realistic tariffs.

“Government has to be serious about capitalizing our electricity and water sectors. Public funds should be retrieved from the Waterville’s, Isofoton’s and GYEEDA looters.

“The most embarrassing evidence of the economic failures of this government is the excuse that utility prices have to be increased because of the depreciation of the cedi.

“The NPP is not against the payment of realistic prices of the consumption of these utilities, the generators of these utilities must be helped to at least break even if we are all sure that they are producing the products as efficiently as possible”.