BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE St. Kitts Electricity Company Limited (SKLEC) has been harshly criticised following its recent announcement that its consumers – many of whom have to grapple with huge bills - would be have to bear an additional cost as at August 1, 2012.
The announcement was made via press release issued by SKLEC’s Public Relations Office, which indicated that from August 1, 2011 to July 31, 2012 SKLEC bore the cost of the Customs Service Charge (CSC) that is paid on fuel.
It further explained that the decision was made to pass that charge to its consumers, which would be reflected on the fuel surcharge line on their bills.
Social media outlets, local radio talk shows and other outlets were abuzz with complaints from customers who have charged that with already large bills, SKLEC’s decision to pass on the CSC to the consumers is unreasonable and unjust.
Among those who have complained about the move is the Leader of the People’s Action Movement (PAM), the Hon. Shawn K. Richards, who has labelled it as “unethical”.
“The decision to corporatise the electric company last year at the most inopportune time was bad enough, but to now suddenly impose this unconscionable increase with no warning is downright unethical. It is time for the Denzil Douglas government to go! Enough is enough!”
“At a time when our economy is shrinking and the average Kittitian cannot afford to pay every bill each month, the St. Kitts Electricity Company Ltd. (SKELEC), a company wholly owned and operated by the government, has made the bizarre decision to increase the cost of electricity by passing on the Customs Service Charge (CSC), a further government charge to its consumers.
“The uncaring Denzil Douglas government has chosen to hide behind the flimsy curtain of a statutory corporation to, once again, add to the burden of living in St. Kitts. As if this ridiculous and unnecessary rise in the cost of electricity is not bad enough, they have compounded the insult by announcing that it shall take effect retroactively, thus robbing the average person of an opportunity to adjust their consumption to compensate for the increases.”
Richards expressed that SKLEC’s decision to pass on the CSC to its consumers would have a far-reaching effect, describing it as part of an unprecedented assault on the poor.
“The attitude of the Denzil Douglas Labour government towards the people of St. Kitts has been totally uncaring at the best of times, but lately they have instituted an unprecedented assault on the poor and vulnerable in our society. This latest and, to date, most egregious onslaught will have a deleterious effect across the entire country.
“This unconscionable increase in electricity bills will affect our already fragile business sector, as inevitably the cost of producing goods and services will increase. It will overwhelm the average householder who is struggling to make ends meet daily, and it will escalate the devastation being wreaked on the poor and the elderly who already cannot afford to pay their electricity bills even before the hike.”
