By Sue-Ann Wayow
IF you don’t pay higher electricity rates, don’t expect a higher quality of service.
This is what citizens were told by Executive Director of the Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) Glenn Khan during a consultation in Siparia over the weekend.
Khan said, “If prices don’t go up at all, you are not going to get good service. Your service is going to decline and continue to decline and then you will get no service at all after a while.”
The RIC continues their consultation to justify the rate increase being proposed for customers of the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC).
The RIC also held a consultation in Princes Town.
Both consultations were attended to by Opposition MPs.
One of the issues arising out of the consultations is that now was not a good time to implement a rate increase when many were still reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic.
RIC’s chairman Dawn Callender said, “We don’t have the discretion as to when a rate review should be done. Our Act requires us to do this every five years. It has been a long gap since the previous one was done so once we got the information we just wanted to go forward and fulfil our mandate.”
Explaining the rising costs for T&TEC which includes fuel cost, conversions, wages and salaries, Khan said, “All we are trying to pass on to you is efficient expenditure,”
Also explaining the difference between rates and service charges, he said the smallest increase in service charge was for reconnection after disconnection due to non-payment which was a proposed increase from $118 to $150, increases which did not take place for 17 years.
“Between that 17-year period, prices have gone all the way up,” Khan said.
On the issue of prices, unless items were seasonal such as fresh produce and ground provisions, he said, “Even if anybody increases their price now, they are not going to come back down to a lower price, even if it is warranted.”
He said the RIC was also recommending measures to ensure improved service from T&TEC and if service provided was not up to the standards outlined, customers could expect a rebate on their electricity bill.
That is the stupidest rationale/justification I have ever heard, and I refuse to believe that someone who is being paid to serve the interest of consumers and by extension, the citizens could in their right mind be uttering such nonsensical garbage.
When last have persons in this country, in both private and public sector, received any significant salary/wage increase that would allow them the additional purchasing power to afford any utility rate increase?
Is the RIC under a political mandate, because they do NOT seem to be acting in the interest of the people!