Pay more if you want reliable power – Mahama tells Ghanaians

President John Dramani Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has backed calls for increase in utility tariffs if Ghanaians want reliable power supply.

President Mahama explained that the country is shifting from hydro energy to thermal energy which is more expensive to produce hence the need to pay more for power.

Utility service providers at a meeting with the TUC and organized labour on Friday made a forceful argument for a forthcoming increase in tariffs.

They are all calling for the huge percentage hike to keep their machines operational.

In the power sector, the proposal is for tariffs to increase from 14 pesewas per kilowatt hour to 30 pesewas.
Their call has, however, been rejected by the Trades Union Congress.

But Speaking on Garden City Radio in the Ashanti region, President Mahama said the country’s energy woes popularly known as ‘dumsor’ would only end if Ghanaians become realistic and pay more for power supply.

“If we genuinely want reliable, sustainable power then the price will have to go up…that is the reality…if we don’t want any more dumsor then we will have to pay more,” President Mahama said.

President Mahama also revealed that the country’s energy crisis could get worse in 2016 if the water levels in the Akosombo dam continues to fall.

He said the Volta River Authority could be forced to shut down four of its units if “the pattern continues”.


Source.pulse.com.gh