One hundred and eight two (182) Civil Society Organisations on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction over the draconian action and blatant cheating ways of the Electricity Distribution Supply Authority (EDSA) over the unjustified tariff increase and over taxing on electricity charges recently.
Presenting an open letter on behalf of citizens who feel cheated and betrayed by the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulation Commission and by extension the central government, Joseph Sannoh, director Heal-SL informed newsmen that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on electricity must wait until a time frame he referred to as a six months public education period for an extensive information on such tax.
”Blatant cheating, EDSA made consumers believe that they are deducting 15% GST charge but in actual fact they are deducting up to 50%, more than 50% increase in service charge after GST, widespread inconsistency in the billing system, high increase in tariff and lack of transparency in computing the GST are complaints by the public after the implementation of the GST on the 19th last month” Sannoh outlined.
Appealing to the SLEWRC, EDSA, ministry of energy to address what he referred to as cheating within 21 days, Sannoh expressed disappointment over the imposition of more burdens on the hopeless economic situation of majority Sierra Leonean by the SLEWRC.
Sannoh described the unreasonable high tariff on the already suffering consumers without any public education as a violation of economic rights and therefore called on the government and appropriate bodies to amend such situation that has generated a lot of public anger.
Re-affirming his confidence in President Koroma’s promise to build Sierra Leone like Singapore, Sannoh called on the government to focus on the efficient and effective management of electricity services that will make the sector financially viable to attract private investors as well as fair pricing for all.
While addressing the issue of waste in government expenditure as a key pointer to the economic stagnation, Edmond Abu, director, native consortium stated that increase in electricity tax will not solve the economy problem of the country.
According to Abu the overburden of staffs in some government ministries, agencies and departments and the directives from some donor partners are also an issue that the government needs to be aware of if the government is serious in doing something for the betterment of Sierra Leone.
As several CSO representatives and other members of the public registered their concerns over the economy hardship of the country, the question of proper justification of the scheme should be addressed by the EDSA.
By Sylvia Villa
Wednesday October 05, 2016
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