Utility tariffs go up

Effort by pressure groups to halt increases in water and electricity tariffs has failed as the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) announced new tariffs for water and electricity to take effect from Tuesday, June 1, 2010.

According to Dr Emmanuel Annan, board chairman of the commission, water consumers who fall within the range of 0-20 cubic metre who used to pay 66 pesewas would now pay 80 pesewas per metric ton, representing 21% increment, whilst those who consume more than 20 cubic meter would now pay 120 pesewas per metric ton from the 81 pesewas.

On electricity, there was no change in tariff for rural consumers and those who fall within the ‘lifeline’ with the consumption level ranging from 0- 50. They will pay 9.5 pesewas per unit. Those who consume from 51-160 would have their billing adjusted from 12 to 17 pesewas, representing a change of 42%.

The rest is as follows:

161 – 300 = 17 pesewas per unit
301 – 600 = 21 pesewas per unit
601 upwards = 23 pesewas per unit

Credit: JoyFm