Princes Town MP, Barry Padarath is calling on all citizens to attend and participate in the public consultations hosted by the Regulated Industries Commission on the increase in electricity rates.
The Opposition Shadow Minister of Public Utilities stated via a release that citizens must voice their objections and concerns as loudly and vociferously (within the law) on these proposed rates. He added that the announcement made by the RIC spells out disaster for those in the lower class and the rapidly depleting middle class.
Padarath stated that this rate increase comes against the backdrop of massive unemployment, high inflation, high food prices and high cost of living.
Therefore, hundreds of thousands of citizens are already at their wits end to sustain themselves and their families. He stated that the government must ask themselves two questions.
One, where is the money going to come from for citizens to be able to pay these increases and two, how is the average man, woman and child going to survive in this country with little or no means to do so?
The Princes Town MP stated that the sharp increases of 15 to 61 percent in the residential sector would see the lower class having purchasing power completely removed from them while the already rapidly depleting middle class will become obsolete.
He added that the policy of the government to increase utility rates at this time would increase the gaps between the haves and the have-nots.
While the Princes Town MP has previously called on the RIC to halt any rate increases, he says that the government is anxious to tax and add similar measures to an already burdened and beleaguered population because they are unable to properly manage the country and find alternative revenue streams.
He added that the RIC is appointed by the Cabinet and that they must come clean with the country as to whether the Cabinet has removed in whole or in part the subsidy that exists between NGC and T&TEC.
The Princes Town MP stated that this is the burning question, however the government continues to remain silent in this issue.
Padarath slammed the government for running T&TEC into the ground and now attempting to pass the burden on to citizens. He stated that for the past seven years most Ministries, departments and state companies owe millions to T&TEC and that the largest debtor to T&TEC is the state.
The Princes Town MP added that the opposition would be big and bold at these public consultations and will be encouraging constituents to lift their voices against the rate increases
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