Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine is concerned that higher electricity prices will hurt Tobagonians and its economy.
He said he was dissatisfied with the Regulated Industries Commission’s recent proposed increase of 15-126 per cent to electricity rates.
Last week, the RIC made this recommended increase to T&TEC’s electricity rates and service chart. It further recommended that customers be billed on a monthly cycle instead of the existing bi-monthly cycle.
Augustine told the media following a ceremony at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex yesterday morning that this increase would be a burden on Tobagonians.
He said, “It is going to be a difficult pill for Tobagonians to swallow, and some may say it is a small increase but that small increase when added to food inflation and building cost and potential increases in other utilities ... We see the telecommunications companies raising their fees without notice, it is going to be difficult.
“When you compare that to the increase in salary which is only four per cent, in most instances, it is almost as if what was given with one hand was taken with the other hand.”
‘Make solar power
more affordable’
However, he remains hopeful that this increase would encourage the Government to promote the use of alternative energy such as solar power.
“I am hoping the Government will make it easier for people to use alternative sources of energy. Trinidad and Tobago has a goal that by 2030 we are going to drastically reduce our carbon footprint and we are going to move hastily to alternative energy. But we are living in an archaic system where if I want to go off the grid I would need express licence and permission from T&TEC. It’s ridiculous that in 2023 someone needs a licence to use God’s sun. We need to update our laws and make solar power cheaper and more affordable.”
