General News of Monday, 19 July 1999

Source: GNA

ECG tariffs undermining industries?

Apowa ( W/R ) July 19, GNA-- Mr. Eric Dodoo, Administrative Manager of INTEX Limited , a timber company, has said tariffs of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)are so high that many industries are finding it extremely difficult to pay.

Mr Dodoo alleged that some industries are paying bills between 25 million cedis and 46 million cedis a month.

He told newsmen that if nothing was done about the new tariffs, most industries would be compelled to lay-off some of their workers to be able to meet ECG tariff.

Mr Dodoo alleged that some industries were disconnected for their inability to pay their bills and appealed to the Minister of Trade and Industries to intervene to ensure that industries that produce for export enjoy the same consideration given to the mining sector.

Mr Dodoo called for efforts to sustain and encourage industries to maintain their present strength of workers in order not to worsen Ghana's high unemployment rate.