A renowned economist, Mr Kwame Pianim has asked Ghanaians to support the proposed increases in utility tariffs to enable service providers render efficient and quality service to the nation. He said the unwillingness of consumers to pay realistic tariffs was gradually killing the utility companies, particularly the Volta River Authority and the Electricity Company of Ghana. Speaking at the second day of a two-day “Opportunities Conference 2010” organized by Forethought, he said policy makers would have to educate the public to appreciate the need for seemingly harsh but prudent policies to avoid the wanton demonstrations and bickering that tend to work against the implementation of good policies. Ghana’s power suppliers, the Volta River Authority, Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCO) and the Electricity Company of Ghana are together demanding and justifying over 100 per cent tariff increment to meet their current production cost. Mr pianim, who is the former chairman of the Public Utility and Regulatory Commission, said if we fail to tackle low tariffs situation now, we cannot avoid paying deficit in future. He opined that constant supply of water, electricity, and provision of infrastructure like roads would also facilitate investor inflow into the country. “Let’s remove the cobwebs that hinders development” he charged. He said tariff increases would discourage the misuse of power as is currently the case. He argued that it was better for one to get constant supply of power and determine how to use it than to pay low bills for poor services. Mr Alexander Mensah Mould Ag. Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority called on the government to privatize the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR). He also urged the government to desist from determining petroleum prices and allow the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to do that. But the Chairman of the National Petroleum Authority, Mr Alex Mould, emphasized that government must ensure that the OMCs comply with policies and laid down regulations. Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana