Accra, June 4, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Friday said the recent increases in electricity tariffs were not to burden Ghanaians with

any financial stress. He gave the assurance that Government still cared about the disadvantaged and vulnerable in society.

"It has become extremely necessary to adjust the tariffs upwards to reflect current circumstance, and Government wished it could maintain the

tariffs and even reduced it", President Mills added. President Mills made the observation when he defied an early morning

rain and paid surprise visits to Abbosey Okai Spares Parts Area, Pedestri an Mall at Odorna, and the Surgical Block at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital wher e he interacted with a milling crowd of traders and some patients on admissions. At the Abbosey Okai, President Mills met executives of the Spare Par ts Dealers Association and explained that Government did not increase electricity tariffs because it was uncaring.

He pointed out that Government did not increase electricity tariffs b y 125 per cent as was being speculated in the media, and expected that consumers, who used more than 50 units of electricity must be prepared to

pay a little more. President Mills explained that Government took into consideration the average Ghanaian consumer of electricity, who used simple gadgets such as radio, television sets and consumed between zero and 50 units of electric ity every month. He said the GH¢48 million subsidy was to cushion management of Electricity Company of Ghana in their operations. President Mills recalled visiting spare parts dealers during the Election 2008 campaign and said the visit was to fulfill his promise to interact with them periodically.

President Mills assured the traders and residents in the area that, the roads, which are in deplorable conditions, would be rehabilitated and

agreed to amend the Procurement Law to provide an even playing field for small, medium enterprises as well as large scale enterprises in the import and procurement business.

"We have to do something about the large scale entrepreneurs enjoying all the benefits", President Mills said.

He commended the traders for their efforts in generating revenue and

employment, assuring them of government's partnership to achieve the 'Bet ter Ghana' Agenda.

Mr Joseph Paddy, Chairman of Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, commended government on the economic measures being institut ed to ensure stability of the cedi. However, he appealed for the stabilisation of import duties at least

for three months rather than the current changes on weekly basis. Mr Paddy appealed to government to endeavour to reduce the importati on of inferior goods on the market which are sold at reduced prices putting local importers in a disadvantaged position. At the Pedestrian Mall, where traders were recently re-located from the Kinbu Lorry Park, President Mills was mobbed by a milling crowd in spite of the rain showers.

He commended the traders for the re-location and said government recognised their enormous contribution to the economy. President Mills assured them that government would never leave them to their fate but would provide the needed assistance. He directed the Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, Dr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, who accompanied him to the market to ensure pools of water i n the market were filled.

Interacting with Madam Bernice Otoo, President of Odorna Traders Association, President Mills asked the traders to constantly interact wit h AMA to address their concerns. Madam Otoo commended government for its swift response to matters of

their concern. At the Korle Bu Hospital, Reverend Professor Seth Aryeetey, on behal f of the management welcomed President Mills and thanked him for the visit.