Electricity consumers, both post-paid and pre-paid, would enjoy a huge discount in electricity tariff from October. The discount would be backdated to cover electricity consumed over the last three months, the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana, Cephas Gakpo has noted. The latest development which comes into effect from October 1, will see average tariffs being paid by consumers drop to 64 percent from the June 1 average increases of 89 percent. The decision follows moves by the government to release some GH¢20 million to cushion consumers from the recent hikes in utility tariffs. Mr Cephas Gakpo in an interview with Joy News’ George Wiafe said the “complicated mechanism” has already been worked out. “Pre-payment metering customers will start getting the relief right from the 1st of October. Credit customers on the other hand will see their relief in the next bill that will come in November. But in either case, whether pre-payment or credit customers, they will get the reliefs one way or the other.” The Public Utility and Regulatory Commission in June hiked prices of water and electricity, which attracted a number of protestations from organized labour and other interest groups. For instance, the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) registered their disapproval through a highly patronized demonstration nationwide. Following persistent complaints, a Technical Committee was constituted by the government comprising the Ghana Trades Union Congress, the Association of Ghana Industries, Public Utility and Regulatory Commission and the utility providers, which examined the concerns raised. Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana