The Ghana Bar Association has called for a downward adjustment of the new utility tariffs announced by the public utilities regulatory commission. In a statement, the National Assistant Secretary of the association, Peter Zwennes, said the high increases will throw out of gear, government(quote)s programme of poverty alleviation since it will affect the production of goods and services which will directly affect the poor.

As part of the President’s policy intervention lifeline consumers of electricity are to enjoy a 5,000-cedi government subsidy on a block of 50 units consumed. The PURC-approved- rate of 14,000 cedis will thus be reduced to 9,000 cedis. The government also plans to make available energy saving bulbs to consumers. However, the Bar Association says government(quote)s proposed subsidy of the increase in electricity bills will not address the crucial problem of people(quote)s ability to pay.

It pointed out that the utility companies have not addressed the issue of poor management, corruption and inefficiencies in their system and said until these have been addressed, any attempt to increase tariffs should not be as astronomical as currently proposed by the PURC.