Power, water, to explain high bills

The GCC is holding a full council meeting starting today until Friday. Former mayor Veronica Lesole will, during the week, move that the council invite the two service providers to explain why their rates are so high.  Lesole will also move that the BPC introduce prepaid electricity to Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA) areas since the current billing system charges are not manageable.

The BPC recently announced that they will increase power tariffs this year for the third year running. The corporation increased tariffs in May 2010, and again in June 2011, and are likely to raise charges after their financial year comes to a close on April 30. The BPC astronomical rates are draining consumers who find themselves paying more than double the monthly bills they used to pay before 2010.  Sources within the BPC have told The Monitor's sister publication Mmegi that the corporation is pushing for a 30 percent increase.