Electricity rate reduction being discussed
Residents may see some reduction in their electricity bills as part of the cost of living mitigation measures being introduced by the government in the wake of global price hikes that followed the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Premier Andrew Fahie gave that indication during a press conference recently while responding to questions about some of the measures his government has taken to mitigate rising fuel prices and an expected concurrent rise in electricity rates.
“[Rate reductions are] being discussed. In the [Cabinet] paper there will be some decisions towards that and I’ll be able to say once [the] week is finished,” the Premier said last Friday.
The Fahie-led government has introduced a number of duty-free reductions across the board for residents and businesses that import fuel and other goods into the territory.
These measures are expected to become effective after April 15, for three months in the first instance Premier Fahie noted previously.
According to Premier Fahie, these measures will help to increase the purchasing power of residents across all sectors, allowing persons to be able to stretch their dollar during these challenging times.
“To ensure that the savings and benefits of this initiative are passed on to the consumers, your government will be conducting monitoring exercises where businesses are concerned, through the Trade Department with its consumer protection function and in collaboration with our various other government agencies,” the Premier said previously.
The Premier said while he is aware of what the expected revenue loss will look like after his government’s implementation of various mitigation measures, he will reveal this figure to the territory at a later time.
Premier Fahie has also established a task force which he said will monitor businesses for instances of price gouging and other unscrupulous business practices.
The Premier’s mitigation efforts have been criticised by Opposition Leader Marlon Penn, who has accused Fahie of attacking businesses instead of consulting them for their views on the matter.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
10 cents off is not good enough
Anything off is a start and is well appreciated. This is the correct way to help citizens of a country and not just a select few because everyone has an electric bill.
Not everyone!
them moving like arabs… them rise the bill to put it bavk to where it was and say is a reduced rate
Tactics!
What reduction. your lightbill is one thing and the system telling you you have to pay double that amount or it is not accepting your payment. when you go in to find out the disrespectful cashier tells you you better pay it and dont complain.
Just saw my bill online and the fuel surcharge was doubled, so look out for a heavy increase on your bill.
Just check mines and I got an instant headache..
They are now charging late fees and reconnection fees. There is a reason people may have to pay after the silly “pay by” dates on the bill of the 19 and 20 of the month. That needs to change to the end of the month.
Government and its statutory bodies are running a money racket.
Just reduce the fuel charge. The fuel charge is now more than the electricity charge. Have we ever seen an audited report of the accounts of the corporation. Never. We have never seen a report of the audited accounts of any of our statutory organization. Are these statutory Boards being audited? This is how fraud, misappropriation of funds, mismanagement, poor management, impoverish management and mal administration is fostered and thrives in any society. There is no accountability especially to the public.
BVIEC is audited every year and these audits are made public once audits are final. If it’s one statutory body that is well managed is BVIEC. What money racket you talking about? If I Fuel is up all around the globe. You think we are isolated. But listen you have options: 1 don’t use electricity 2 produce your own electricity 3 try reducing your consumption 4 produce fuel 5 use your generator which still needs fuel….there are other options ….so there you have it. Choose your poison you are living in the world this is not a BVIEC or BVI thing it’s GLOBAL. YOU ALL BAWLING NOW WAIT UNTIL TIMES GET EVEN HARDER. BVIEC will come one time after time and provide factual info on how bills are calculated based on fuel, usage etc. but you all don’t want to hear that. Things cannot and will not remind the same including pricing whether it’s for food clothes services etc. life and resources are not stagnant. Months ago when we were enjoying low fuel surcharges how many blogged their appreciation of the bills then.
Just check mines and I got an instant headache..